Types of Pressure Washers

Which is the Best Pressure Washer?

Understanding what kind of power washer to buy doesn't have to be difficult, we all have to start somewhere. Luckily we created this guide to help you understand the different types of pressure washers and what benefits they can provide for you and your business needs.

The two main types of pressure washers are hot water and cold water pressure washers.  How do you intend to use it? Where do you intend to use it? And what kind of applications do you intend to use it? are the three main questions that help answer which type of pressure washer is right for your needs.

 

Hot Water Pressure Washers 

Hot water (HW) pressure washers advantages over their Cold Water (CW) counterparts are the following:

• HW pressure washers can reach temperatures up to 311 °F, whereas CW pressure washers top out at 140 °F—about the same temperature as your tap. Having higher water temperatures allows HW units to clean much more efficiently.
• Hot water is better at loosening grease and oils, helping the pressure of the water wash those materials away. This also means less detergent is needed to get a surface clean.
• Drying times are significantly shorter with HW pressure washers. The water is already close to its boiling point, helping it evaporate much more quickly.
• Hot water is more effective at killing germs, mold, and bacteria than cold water and soap alone. 

Most Common Uses

• Removing grease, adhesives, and other residues easily removed by higher temperatures
• Areas and locations where sanitation is a priority
• Areas and locations that are sensitive to chemicals
• Larger coverage areas with necessary mobility

 

Cold Water Pressure Washers

Coldwater (CW) pressure washers popularity can often be accredited due to their manufacturing process consisting of less specialty heat bearing components, this might not just lower the manufacturing cost and price of a CW pressure washer, but the pressure power and high temperature control are limited as well. Cold water power washers additionally are typically made more for consumers than for contractors or professionals, but professional-grade models are available. Cold water pressure washers are available in gas-powered and electric models.

Most Common Uses

• Cleaning areas and items that are more sensitive to higher pressures (windows, siding, cars)
• Areas and locations where fuel exhaust and noise are a nuisance
• Areas and locations that are sensitive to heat
• Areas where someone might receive excessive backsplash spray

Both gas- and electric-powered pressure washers are equally viable depending upon their specific application. For simple household use, most people will be satisfied with a low-capacity, low-maintenance electric model fit for small jobs; professional cleaning contractors are better served by having a range of power washer options available to them.

Gas and Electric Engines

Gas Engine Units

Gasoline-powered power washers, like automobile motors, are internal combustion engines that produce a high energy output due to the chemical reaction inside the motor.  This combustion does also create higher decibel noise pollution and exhaust fumes due to the nature of combustion. Because they rely on an internal energy source like gasoline or some other form of liquid fuel, the portability range is virtually limitless. Their job performance output, however, is also only limited to their next refill of fuel. This feature makes them best suited for outdoor applications, where outlet availability, fumes, and noise are not major problems.

Gas engine power washers are also more powerful, as they are not limited by the amperage of the outlet.

 

Electric Engine Units

Electric power washers are quieter and do not leave the same fume exhaust as their gas engine counterparts. Their performance availability is only also not compromised to their next fuel refill as they have to be consistently connected to a wall outlet.  Their power and their range of mobility, however, is limited by the outputs or extension chords available from the electrical outlet feeding them. Standard North American outlets deliver 120V at 15 or 20 amps, and most homes have lower electrical output than commercial or industrial buildings, disallowing horsepower equal to that of gas engine units.

Despite this limitation, electric-powered power washers are well-suited for many indoor and outdoor applications, particularly on damage-sensitive surfaces such as windows, vehicles, or painted surfaces.

 

So, Which Pressure Washer is the Best?

The choice between hot and cold water pressure washers can be a tough one to make. As with the gas vs. electric motor power washers, there’s always a trade-off.

Both gas- and electric-powered pressure washers are equally viable depending upon their specific application. For simple household use, most people will be satisfied with a low-capacity, low-maintenance electric model fit for small jobs; professional cleaning contractors are better served by having a range of power washer options available to them.

The environment in which you’ll be using the machine plays a huge factor in your choice, as does the specific application. Hot water pressure washers have a greater up-front cost and generally require more careful maintenance. Professional cleaners can mitigate those costs with tremendous savings in both man hours and chemical use based on the improved cleaning efficiency of HW units.

For indoor use or any jobs where the chance of being hit with the spray is high, a cold water pressure washer is often the preferred machine. Meanwhile, cleaning up grease and oil will almost always require a hot water pressure washer.

Professional Cleaning Contractor Advice and Service

If you still have questions regarding the difference between HW and CW pressure washer units, give us a call, stop in at our store, or shoot us a contact form, and we’ll answer your questions to the best of our abilities. If we don’t know the answer, we’ll hunt it down and get it to you. We love to learn in order to help you better because we know that if you have a question, chances are likely someone else has been ruminating on the same topic.

Contact our customer service representatives to have your pressure washer questions answered today!