Can you shower during a power outage

The short answer

Usually yes on city water: the pressure comes from the utility, so the shower runs, though it may be cold. On a private well, no: the electric pump stops. Hot water lasts only if your heater runs without power, such as a gas tank with a standing pilot. Never shower during a thunderstorm, and follow any boil-water advisory.

Step one: where does your water come from

City or municipal water

Your house does not pump city water; the utility does. In most outages the taps keep running. That is not guaranteed: Ready.gov warns that power outages can disrupt water service, and a utility that loses power to its own pumps can lose pressure or issue a boil-water advisory. Listen to local alerts on a battery or crank radio.

Private well

Portland General Electric notes that most wells use an electric pump to deliver water. When the power goes out, the pump stops. Whatever is left in the pressure tank comes out at falling pressure, and then nothing. Chester County's health department warns that a well system loses pressure if faucets are opened during an outage, which raises the risk of contamination, and advises refraining from opening faucets, taking showers or flushing toilets during extended outages.

Step two: will you have hot water during a power outage

WestLight Energy, a California public power agency, puts it simply: gas water heaters with continuously burning pilot lights keep working when the power is out, while many recent gas tank models have electronic ignition and will not work without electricity. Look at the front of your heater. A pilot window and a knob marked PILOT suggest a standing pilot; a power cord, a control display or a circuit connection means it needs electricity.

Tankless gas heaters are the surprise for many households. Rinnai's FAQ says that during a power outage its tankless water heater "will not operate," because it uses direct-spark electronic ignition and needs 120 volts. Rinnai sells its own battery backup through dealers. A tank heater, even a cold one, still holds stored water you can drain for washing in an emergency.

How long does hot water stay hot

A tank is insulated, so water that was hot when the power failed stays warm for a while and then cools toward room temperature. How long depends on the tank, its insulation and the room. Showers drain it fast, so take short ones early if you have a tank of hot water and no way to reheat it.

Is it OK to shower during a power outage in a storm

Many summer outages start with thunderstorms, so this rule matters most in exactly the moment people reach for a shower. It applies to metal and plastic pipes alike; the CDC notes the risk may be lower with plastic, not absent.

Boil-water advisories

If your utility issues an advisory, the type matters:

• Boil water advisory: showering is generally allowed. The CDC says be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering, and consider giving babies and young children a sponge bath to reduce the chance they swallow water. Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water.
• Do not drink advisory: boiling will not make the water safe to drink; follow your utility's instructions on bathing.
• Do not use advisory: the CDC says swallowing, touching or other contact with the tap water could be dangerous. Do not shower with it.

For boiling, the CDC says bring water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute, or 3 minutes above 6,500 feet. Without power, that means a camping stove used outdoors or a match-lit gas cooktop.

How to heat water without power

1. 01Sun: a solar shower bag left in direct sun warms a few gallons for a rinse.
2. 02Gas cooktop: most can be lit with a match (check your manual); heat a large pot with a lid on.
3. 03Outdoor camp stove or grill: boil a kettle outdoors and carry it in. Never bring the stove inside; the CDC says never use a portable gas camp stove indoors.
4. 04Battery power station: an electric kettle runs from a power station sized for its wattage. See how to get electricity during a power outage.

Washing without a shower

• Sponge bath: two basins, one soapy and one rinse, and a washcloth. Warm a pot of water on the stove first if you can.
• Rinse-free body wipes and no-rinse shampoo for days when water is scarce.
• Hand sanitizer for hands between washes, and soap and water before food prep.
• Save bathtub water for flushing; see sanitation without power and how to flush a toilet without power.

If you are on a well: backup power

Portland General Electric says well pumps often need 220 volts, that a pump's startup surge can be up to six times its running wattage, and that because pumps are usually hardwired, a transfer switch is needed. It says transfer switches or integrated backup systems should be installed by professionals. Use a licensed electrician. Generators run outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages (Ready.gov). BackupPowerAI's transfer switch and interlock basics and power station vs generator guides help with sizing.

Picks for washing during an outage

Research-based picks from manufacturer specs, checked November 1, 2026. We do not test products. Prices change, so check the current price on Amazon.

No. 1Portable shower

NEMO Helio LX Portable Pressure Shower

Best for: A pressurized rinse without hanging a bag or using power

• 5.8-gallon reservoir
• Foot pump gives 7–10 minutes of continuous spray (manufacturer)
• 7-ft hose with two-stage nozzle
• No batteries or power needed
• 2 lb 1 oz packed; 22 L

Tradeoffs

• · Does not heat water: fill it with warm water or leave it in the sun
• · Large to store

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026

No. 2Solar shower

Advanced Elements 5 Gallon Summer Shower (SS762)

Best for: Sun-heated water for a warm rinse

• 5 gallons (18.9 L)
• 4-layer construction for heat retention
• Water temperature gauge; large twist-off fill cap
• 1.41 lb
• 18 × 6 × 2 in

Tradeoffs

• · Needs direct sun to warm; slow on cloudy or cold days
• · Gravity-fed: must hang above head height

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026

No. 3Water storage

waterBOB Bathtub Emergency Water Storage

Best for: Filling a large volume fast when a storm is forecast

• Holds up to 100 gallons
• 10 mil food-grade LLDPE liner
• Fills in about 20–30 minutes
• Siphon pump included
• Designed for one-time use

Tradeoffs

• · Single use
• · Manufacturer notes most standard bathtubs hold about 60–70 gallons, so real capacity is often lower

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026

No. 4Water storage

Reliance Jumbo-Tainer 2.0, 7 Gallon (08630-03)

Best for: Rigid, refillable storage you can rotate

• 7 gal / 26 L
• 15.3 × 8.5 × 18.0 in; 2.9 lb empty
• Food safe: LFGB certified and FDA compliant
• PFAS- and BPA-free
• Leak-proof hideaway spigot; dual handles

Tradeoffs

• · Reliance does not list it as stackable
• · About 58 lb when full (7 gal × ~8.3 lb plus container)

Check price on AmazonRead the full reviewSpecs: manufacturer page, checked Nov 1, 2026