El Temido Calefon

This blog is dedicated to my shower experiences, those that I've had indoors. I'm not ready to talk about the other ones. I'm borrowing this post from a fellow volunteer's blog. The original can be found at the address below the article.


"Most Paraguayan bathrooms (those that have running water) have electrical showerheads called a “calefón.” Cold water passing through the showerhead is heated by an electrical element. Once the water is past the heating element and through the showerhead it disperses into the small droplets that make up your nice, warm shower. The temperature is regulated by the water flow – more water flow descreases the temperature of your shower and vice-versa. You can only make your shower so hot, though. Once the water flow diminishes too much the calefón will automatically turn off, at which point the bathroom lights may get brighter. Increasing the flow will turn it back on. To cut power off completely look for the switch (many times it is a black and red flip-switch) in or directly outside the bathroom. Most calefóns have winter and summer settings with varying degrees of water- heating capabilities.









From the point of view of certain foreigners a contraption that involves water and electricity and a naked user is alarming. This is especially so because the electrical wiring is clearly visible in most calefón installations. Many times the wires are barely insulated with electrical tape. It is worth noting calefons are nicknamed “widow-makers” in English. Calefóns are in widespread use throughout Latin America. They are cheaper than regular water heaters (“termotanques” in Spanish), simpler to install and use less electricity because they do not have to keep water hot all day long. As a foreigner you will quickly (hopefully) learn the calefón tricks locals learn from an early age. If you touch the water just under the showerhead, before it has dispersed enough, electricity will travel through you to the floor. It is not a pleasant experience. It is best to avoid reaching above your head and, if you´re tall, engage in extra careful hair-washing. Also avoid fiddling with the showerhead settings while showering unless you are certain the calefón has been switched off. Despite the fear-factor calefons do have one main benefit: you can take as long a shower as you´d like without fear of running out of hot water (as long as your electricity doesn´t go out)."


Retrieved from http://discoveringparaguay.com/home/the-dreaded-calefon-el-temido-calefon/