What are your thoughts on pressure washers? They are fantastic for getting tough jobs done around the house, but how much water do they use?
Well, how about between 2 and 10 gallons per minute?
How would you feel if I told you that a heavy-duty pressure washer could use up to 10 gallons per minute? That means 600 gallons per hour! How can this be right?
Let’s look at How Much Water Does A Pressure Washer Use.
What is PSI vs. GPM for a Power Washer?
PSI stands for pounds per square inch. The amount of force applied to the surface is measured in PSI.
GPM measures how much water is going by in each minute. The amount of water flowing through your showerhead in each minute, known as GPM, indicates the size of the surface area it covers.
Consider comparing the PSI x GPM formula when comparing two pressure washers. Then, compare the outcomes (CU’s or cleaning units) across the two devices.
A pressure washer with 1.76 GPM and 2030 PSI = (1.76X2030) = 3572.8 CU
How Much Water Does a Pressure Washer Use?
This question essentially asks us to solely look upon the GPM unit or gallons of water used per minute.
Each GPM is unique to the pressure washer’s manufacturer, model, and brand.
“Most standard pressure washers will use between 180-350 Gallons Per Hour.”
A standard bathtub holds about 80 gallons of water. So if you were to clean your house for 45 minutes straight, you’d be using the equivalent of about three baths. You might think that’s a lot of water, but some higher-end professional washers use even more.
Large high-end power washers even have tanks that can use 400-600 Gallons Per Hour. These pressure washers are enormous and are usually towed on the back of a trailer.
Does a Pressure Washer Consume More than a Garden Hose?
One of the most common misconceptions is that a pressure washer will consume more water than a garden hose. In reality, it’s the opposite.
Using a garden hose will lead to less efficient cleaning and higher consumption per minute because there is less pressure from your faucet. It means you’ll have to use some hose for more extended and end up consuming even more water.
Instead of a garden hose, it would be better to go with a pressure washer that will provide you with impeccable results without wasting much time or energy.
How To Save Water With Pressure Water?
If you want to save water, you can do a few things.
Buy A Low GPM Power Washer
It’s best to start with something around 3 GPM or lower. After that, you can find multiple products like the Sun Joe SPX3000, which uses low GPM while still offering a powerful 2020 PSI. But these features make it perfect for driveway, home, and vehicle cleaning.
Use A Conservation Tip On Your Hose Sprayer
Attaching a conservation tip is easy to save water with your hose sprayer. It will reduce the water output and thus lead to lower consumption.
Ensure the pressure washer has a conservation mode and auto-shutoff tank fullness systems.
Use A Hot Pressure Washer
Using a hot water pressure washer is more effective than cold water to clean various surfaces. Hot water will clean better and use less soap.
Use A Garden Hose That Doesn’t Consume Much Water
A garden hose will be less efficient in cleaning something on a deeper level, and you may end up using it for longer to get that clean surface look. That’s why a pressure washer would be a better alternative to a garden hose if you want to save water and ensure your sidewalk is impeccable.
More Control = Less Water
The more you utilize your pressure washer, the less water you’ll need to finish the task. So, you need to learn how the machine works and practice using it.
It’s also a good idea to search for a pressure washer with adjustable Control. This way, you can adjust the PSI depending on the cleaning task at hand.
High Pressure High Efficiency Cleaners
As you get more used to using a pressure washer, your water consumption will gradually decrease. It doesn’t take a constant stream of water from your faucet to deliver a strong cleaning performance that is always available.
It would be best to consider investing in cleaners that don’t require much water and produce an outstanding cleaning performance.
If you opt for a hot pressure washer, it will be even more efficient because the high temperature helps kill germs and microbes. But make sure you choose something with lower GPMs to save even more water!
These features are perfect for people who want to save more time on their lawn or garden cleaning since they help cut off the water supply once the tank is full.
Different tasks require different levels of water pressure
The job determines the amount of water pressure you require for your power washer. Smaller tasks, such as washing a car or boat, necessitate a light-duty power washer that generates 1,400 to 1,750 pounds per square inch (PSI) of water pressure at a flow rate of 1.4 to 1.6 gallons per minute (GPM).
A typical 2,500 to 3,000 PSI and 2.8 to 3 GPM washing pressure is required for driveway cleaning using a medium-duty power washer with 1,300 to 1,800 pounds of force.
However, there’s much more to it than that. While this may appear like a lot of water, a lightweight power washer uses around 68 percent less water and cleans significantly better than a garden hose.
Recommended Pressure Washer (Less Water More Clean)
Last update on 2024-08-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Final Thoughts on How Much Water Does A Pressure Washer Use
A pressure washer is an excellent tool for anyone who wants to clean various surfaces. But, most importantly, it’s ideal for people who want to save water without compromising the quality of their cleaning service.
Suppose you want reduced water consumption and efficient washers that provide consistent performance and do not strain your wallet too much. In that case, we suggest you go with a gas pressure washer.
As always, feel free to leave any questions you have in the comments section below, and let us know what you think in the comment section below!
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