13 January 26 - Do Bounce Houses and Waterslides Need Electricity?

Do Bounce Houses Need Electricity? Everything You Need to Know Before Renting

If you’re planning a birthday party, school event, church gathering, or backyard celebration, you may be wondering: Do bounce houses need electricity? The short answer is yes — but it’s usually much easier than people think.

At Tubular Inflatables, we get this question all the time from customers in Hubert, Jacksonville, Swansboro, and surrounding North Carolina areas, so here’s a complete breakdown to help you plan with confidence.


Do Bounce Houses Require Power?

Yes, bounce houses require a continuous power source to operate the blower that keeps the inflatable fully inflated. Once powered on, the blower runs quietly in the background while kids jump, slide, and play.

The good news?
Most standard residential outlets work perfectly for bounce house rentals.


What Kind of Outlet Does a Bounce House Need?

Most bounce houses use:

  • One standard 110–120V household outlet

  • A dedicated circuit (nothing else plugged in)

  • A grounded outlet for safety

This means most homes, churches, schools, and event venues already have everything needed.


How Far Can the Bounce House Be From the Outlet?

Typically, bounce house blowers can be placed:

  • Up to 50 feet from an outlet using heavy-duty extension cords

  • Sometimes farther if approved commercial cords are used

If your outlet is far away, let us know — we come prepared.


What If There’s No Electricity Available?

No problem at all.

If your event is at:

  • A park

  • A field

  • A large outdoor venue

  • A school or church without nearby outlets

We offer generator rentals to ensure your inflatable runs safely and continuously for the entire event.

Generators are:

  • Quiet

  • Fuel-efficient

  • Designed specifically for bounce houses and water slides


Do Water Slides and Large Inflatables Need More Power?

Some larger inflatables may require:

  • Two separate outlets, or

  • A generator with higher output

Examples include:

  • Large water slides

  • Obstacle courses

  • Dual-lane inflatables

  • Combo bounce houses with slides

We always confirm power needs before delivery, so there are no surprises.


What Happens If the Power Goes Out?

If power is interrupted:

  • The bounce house will slowly deflate

  • Kids should exit calmly

  • Once power is restored, the inflatable re-inflates within minutes

This is why we recommend a dedicated outlet or generator to prevent tripped breakers.


Safety Tips for Bounce House Power

To ensure a safe and smooth event:

  • Use only approved extension cords

  • Keep cords away from water

  • Never unplug the blower while in use

  • Keep the blower well-ventilated and dry

Our team handles setup, placement, and safety checks for every rental.


Bounce House Rentals Made Easy

At Tubular Inflatables, we make bounce house rentals simple, safe, and stress-free. Whether you’re hosting a backyard birthday, school field day, church event, or community festival, we’ll make sure your inflatable has the right power setup.

📍 Serving Hubert, Jacksonville, Swansboro, and surrounding NC areas
🌐 Book online at Tubularinflatables.com

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