Choosing the Right Size Blower for Your Bounce House: A Simple Guide

Choosing the Right Size Blower for Your Bounce House: A Simple Guide

When it comes to buying a bounce house, one of the trickiest aspects is figuring out what size blower you need. A simple search for guidance often leads to confusion (unless you're reading this article, of course). Many retailers try to upsell, making it even harder to figure out what's best for your needs. With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin.

At The Carnival Depot, we include Zoom Blowers with all of our inflatables, so you don’t have to worry about sizing. But what happens if the blower eventually wears out, or if you bought a bounce house elsewhere and it didn’t come with one? How do you navigate all the technical specs like horsepower and cubic feet per minute (CFM)? Don't worry—we’re here to help you find the ideal blower for your bounce house, whether it's a small inflatable or a large commercial unit. Let’s break it down!

What Is a Bounce House Blower?

A bounce house blower is essentially a powerful fan that pumps air into your inflatable to keep it fully inflated. To use it, just plug it into an outlet, connect the blower to the inflatable's air tube, turn it on, and keep it running while your guests enjoy the bounce house.

For large commercial bounce houses, inflatable obstacle courses, and massive water slides, you’ll need a more powerful blower, typically around 2 horsepower.

The Key Specs You Need to Know: Horsepower and CFM

When shopping for a blower, there are two main specs you need to focus on: horsepower (HP) and cubic feet per minute (CFM).

• Horsepower (HP): This indicates how much overall power the blower generates. A typical residential blower will have between 1 to 3 horsepower. The higher the horsepower, the more air the blower can move, but keep in mind that higher horsepower often means more noise too.

• Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM): This is the measure of how much air the blower can push out each minute. The higher the CFM, the faster the bounce house will inflate and the firmer it will be during use. A higher CFM means a quicker inflation time and better performance overall.

For most bounce houses, 1 to 3 horsepower and 800 to 2,000 CFM should be more than sufficient, depending on the size of the inflatable.

Can You Over Inflate a Bounce House?

A common misconception is that you can "over-inflate" a bounce house like you would a balloon, but that’s not the case. Unlike a balloon, a bounce house allows air to escape and relies on continuous airflow to remain inflated. If the blower is turned off, the bounce house will deflate quickly.

So, you can’t technically over-inflate a bounce house. Using a larger blower won’t damage the inflatable, but it could be unnecessary. A bigger blower will fill the bounce house faster and make it firmer, but for most bounce houses, a larger blower is just overkill—it will waste electricity and create unnecessary noise.

Choosing the Right Size Blower for Your Bounce House

While there’s no strict rule for what size blower you need, there are some general guidelines based on the size of your inflatable:

• For Small Bounce Houses (e.g., 12’x12’): You’ll likely need a blower with 1 HP and 800-900 CFM.

• For Larger Commercial Bounce Houses (e.g., 22’x22’ Big Bubba): Opt for a blower with 2 HP and 1,000-2,000 CFM.

• For Inflatable Water Slides or Obstacle Courses: A 1.5 to 2 HP blower is usually ideal, with 1,000-2,000 CFM.

If you’re unsure, remember: It’s generally better to have a bit more power than not enough. A slightly larger blower won’t harm your inflatable, and as your bounce house ages, it may require more air to stay fully inflated.

Need Help Finding the Right Blower?

If you’re unsure what size blower you need or have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at The Carnival Depot. We’ll help you choose the right blower for your inflatable without trying to sell you more power than you actually need.

At the end of the day, you want a blower that fits your inflatable, inflates it efficiently, and keeps your party going strong without wasting power. We're here to guide you every step of the way!