Do bouncy castles need electricity?
Whether bouncy castles need electricity depends on the type of inflatable. Inflatables in the UK are divided in to two main groups; sealed and continual airflow systems. Below is a quick summary of the differences between the two:
Sealed inflatables.
Sealed inflatables are items like paintball barriers and trampoline bases. These sealed items are fine for solid structures but don't do well when bounced on, as they lose their pressure very quickly.
They should also have a pressure release valve on them. Some imported ones don't have this, and can be dangerous – we would never recommend using them.
Sealed inflatables are quite rare in the UK, with the vast majority of inflatables being continual airflow.
Continual airflow inflatables.
Continual airflow systems have a fan powered by either electricity or fuel, which provides air to keep the pressure high at all times. The air escapes through the seams of the inflatable, so it’s impossible for it to explode even in hot weather or with high use.
The higher pressure will keep the castles bouncy!
Power: mains power or generator?
The fan required by a bouncy castle can run off either mains 240V power or from a generator.
Generators have the benefit of providing power to the castle wherever it's required. This is perfect if your party, wedding, or event is in the middle of a field.
Unfortunately, a generator is a bit of a hassle. There’s a higher risk of a generator not working, the added cost of fuel, and the extra noise.
You'll also have to keep an eye on the fuel level, topping up when required to make sure it doesn’t run out of fuel. Of course, if it does then the inflatable will begin to deflate. Generators also get hot, so they need to be over 20 metres away from the inflatable, as well as carefully fenced off, making it safer for the children.
Mains power is far more reliable, cheaper, and a lot safer. The only disadvantage over generators is you will need to be with in 50 metres of mains power, which of course could prove difficult if you are in the middle of a field, surrounded by nothing!
Does the fan have to be on during the party?
Yes and no. Bouncy castles in the UK run on a continuous air flow system. Air escapes from the seams of the bouncy castle and when the children jump on the inflatable. The fan is more than powerful enough to replace the air between each individual bounce.
If you have food or games at your party, you may choose to deflate the bouncy castle to keep the children's attention on the food.
It’s required that you use two adults to do this with. First of all, warn the children that you’ll be asking them to come off the castle. Then ask the children to come off the castle. Then ask them again! Then round up the stubborn ones. Have an adult stand guard in front to stop children from re-entering the inflatable. And then have the second adult go around the back of the bouncy castle to switch off the button on the plug.
Once the food has finished, do the same process in reverse. Keep an adult at the front of the castle until the inflatable is completely inflated. Do not let the children use the equipment until the bouncy castle has inflated completely. This normally takes around 60 seconds, although larger inflatables can take a few minutes.
What is the cost of running a castle?
Plenty of people worry about this, especially when the energy companies are always upping their prices. But having a bouncy castle run off your mains electricity will not cost much at all.
Here’s the maths: running a bouncy castle for 8 hours on electricity will set you back about £1.68. A single bouncy castle in a village hall for 2 hours would cost only 42p. If you have 5 bouncy castles for 5 hours at your school fayre, our electricity costs will be just £5.25.
What if I don’t have a power supply?
Never assume that your hirer has a generator or will bring one as back up. If you need one, it’s best to ask at the time of booking.
Please be aware that there will likely be an added cost and you may need to get the fuel yourself. Sorting this before the event will avoid disappointment.
If your hirer doesn't supply a generator you may need to hire one. Again, ask your hirer for the specification of the fan or fans, ensuring you hire the correct generator.
What fans do you use?
We use a standard 1.5 horse powered fan which we use with all our inflatables. This has a power consumption of 1.68 Kilo-Watt Hours.
The current price of electricity in UK households as of 1st June 2020 is 12.5p per kWH. If you time these two together you will get a current price of 21p of per hour per fan. Very cheap!
What leads do you use?
You shouldn't need to worry about extension leads, as your hirer should supply them.
But bear in mind that you are only allowed up to 50 meters worth of extension lead. So, it might be worth measuring the space from the plug to where the bouncy castle will be, to be on the safe side.
The extension leads will need to be IP44 rated for outside use, making them splash and damage resistant, and PAT tested.
What if we have a power cut?
Power cuts do not happen very often. If you do have a power cut, don’t panic. The bouncy castle has a bit of plastic or metal that auto-closes, which stops the air from escaping at a faster rate. This will allow you and the other adults to get the children off safely.
Once the children are off, leave the castle where it is and switch off the plug.
Can I still use the inflatable in the rain?
Yes, you can still use the bouncy castle during light showers. The leads are waterproof, meaning they are safe in the rain and will not electrocute you.
The only downside is that you might get is a few muddy kids! But it’ll also make it a memorable occasion that they’ll enjoy and tell their friends about for years to come.
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