Written by Luke
A Straightforward Guide for Parties & Events
Yes — bouncy castles and inflatables do need electricity, and they need it the whole time they’re in use. They stay inflated through a constant-airflow blower that keeps air moving into the castle. Switch the blower off, and the inflatable will start to collapse within minutes.
How Much Electricity Does a Bouncy Castle Use?
All of our bouncy castles and inflatables run on a 1.5 horsepower electric blower.
These typically draw around 1.1–1.5 kW while running — similar to:
• a hairdryer on low–medium
• a small electric heater
• a vacuum cleaner
Despite sounding powerful, they’re very efficient.
Real Running Costs Example
Based on an average electricity rate of around 25p per kWh:
• 1.1–1.5 kW blower = around 27.5p–37.5p per hour
• A typical 4–6 hour party = £1.10–£2.25 total
so quite a reasonable cost
Do Bouncy Castles Need to Stay Plugged In?
Yes inflatables use constant airflow — they don’t store air like a balloon. The blower must stay plugged in and running the entire time the castle is in use. You can turn it off for a brake or if you have an entertainer. Once back on the inflatable will reinflate the castle within 2 minuits.
What Power Do You Need at Your Home or Venue?
You only need:
• A standard UK 3-pin plug socket
• One socket per blower (no extension multi-adapters)
• A safe place for the cable to run
We supply up to 50 metres of professional-grade extension cable, allowing us to reach most gardens, community centres, play areas, and village halls without any issues.
If you’re unsure about the distance or socket location, we’ll advise you before setup.
What If You Don’t Have Access to Electricity?
If you’re hiring in a field, park, or an area without power, our inflatables can run from a petrol or diesel generator.
Let us know during booking and we’ll guide you on the right generator size and safe placement.
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