As their name suggests, pressure washers use high-pressure levels to clean the grimiest and dirtiest hard-to-remove substances.
A pressure washer is perfect for cleaning construction equipment, tools, homes, patios, and other hard surfaces from debris and dirt.
This machine will increase your cleaning capabilities and get your job done faster.
So, these machines, no doubt, are favored by both professional cleaning companies and homeowners. They are everyone’s best friends.
So how much water does a pressure washer use? We will discuss this topic!
How Much Water Does A Pressure Washer Use?
A pressure washer uses 2 to 4 gallons (or 9.1 – 18.18 liters) of water per minute, which means 120 to 240 gallons (545.53 to 1,091.06 L) of water per hour.
This amount may vary depending on the model of pressure washer you are using. Some higher-end professional models use even more.
A standard bathtub can hold approximately 80 gallons of water.
So if you use your pressure washer to clean your house for one hour straight, the amount of water you use will be equivalent to about two to three baths.
How To Measure the Amount of Water a Pressure Washer Uses
To measure the amount of water your washer uses, you must first know about its GPM (Gallons Per Minute) and PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch).
GPM measures the volume of water your pressure washer uses, while PSI refers to how much force comes out of your washer’s nozzle.
Read more: Pressure Washer Turbo Nozzle Problems!
Many people mistakenly believe that PSI is the only factor determining a pressure washer’s capacity. That’s not right! Both PSI and GPM go hand in hand.
To determine your pressure washer’s power, you must multiply GPM and PSI.
For example, let’s say your pressure washer has 3,000 PSI and 2.5 GPM. Through the above formula, you will know that it has a total of 7,500 cleaning units.
The amount of water your machine uses will be based on GPM measurement.
Average washers, which come out 2 to 4 gallons per minute, will use 120 to 240 gallons (545.53 to 1,091.06 L) per hour.
It sounds like this machine is water-consuming, but it saves you more water than using a standard garden hose.
A standard hose has a GPM of 24 gallons (or 90.85 L), meaning it uses 1,440 gallons (or 5,450.99 L) per hour.
A pressure washer has a smaller nozzle than a hose, meaning that the water that goes through the smaller hole of a washer will have increased power.
Several higher-end washers utilize even more the volume of water.
Specifically, a large pressure washer can use up to 8 gallons each minute, which equates to 480 gallons (or 1,817 L) each hour!
Read more: What Size Garden Hose For Pressure Washer?
How to Save Water When Using Your Pressure Water?
Invest in a Low GPM Power Washer
As mentioned above, GPM refers to how much water is being used by your machine. So if you’re looking for something that uses less water, you need to invest your money into a low GPM model.
Anything under 3 GPM will be a good start spot.
It is easy to find various models that meet this criterion, such as the Mi-T-M WP 2500, which utilizes 2.3 GPM while still delivering a powerful 2500 PSI.
Use Hot Water And Soap
You can add hot water and soap to your washer. Thanks to that, you can get the cleaning job done faster, meaning you will shorten the time using your machine.
If you shorten your pressure washer using time by five minutes, you will save 10 to 20 gallons (or 37.85 to 75.71 L) of water.
Fine-Tune the Pressure (If You Can)
Some washers are adjustable, and you can change how much water it uses each minute. Therefore, you can easily set the pressure as you want.
Clean Up as Efficiently as Possible
You should strive to get your cleaning job done quickly to minimize the time you use your machine. Avoid just constantly holding its trigger.
For instance, when washing your motorcycle, you should wipe it first with a towel and soapy water. It will reduce water use as it will soften the dirt.
When you use the detergent, it will penetrate.
When you rinse later, you just need to remove the detergent. It is unnecessary to spend ages working on tricky bits of dirt.
Pros And Cons Of Using A Pressure Washer
Pros
Easy to Use
Pressure washers have a simple design and feature wheels in most cases. So it is easy to move your machine around to achieve hard-to-reach places for cleaning.
In addition, a washer has a hose, making it feasible to clean almost any surface, including a roof.
Use Less Volume of Water Than a Hose
A pressure washer uses about 120 to 240 gallons (or 545.53 to 1,091.06 L) each hour, which sounds like a lot. However, it uses less volume of water than standard garden hoses.
Hence, if you have just replaced your hose with a pressure washer, you should know that you are saving water and reducing your water bill.
Efficiently Cleaning
The power of pressure washers is higher than hoses, meaning they remove grime and dirt quicker than if you use hoses. You can clean just about anything in a fraction of the time!
Cons
Damage to Some Areas and Surfaces
The force of these machines can be too much for some surfaces, such as wood, aging paint, and loose vinyl. So they can crack or damage the surface.
Can Be Dangerous
These machines are forceful, allowing them to clean effectively.
However, it could injure you if you are not used to their force. We recommend thoroughly reading the instructions or owner’s manual to avoid injury!
Few Models Are Expensive
Pressure washers, especially high-quality models, are not cheap! So it is okay to rent a washer rather than buy one if you desire to save your budget. However, renting a machine for every cleanup turns out to cost you more in the long run.
FAQs
Do pressure washers utilize a lot of water?
The answer is No when compared to a garden hose.
What Is Pressure Washer GPM and PSI?
Higher PSI means more force applied to your surface, while higher GPM means larger the surface area covered.
When considering two pressure washers, you need to multiply GPM and PSI, then compare the results. Always favor the model with the larger result.
The Bottom Line
A pressure washer allows you to complete various cleaning tasks quickly.
A pressure washer uses 120 to 240 gallons (545.53 to 1,091.06 L) of water per hour. It sounds like a lot, but they save you more water than a hose.
In addition, you should follow some tips we have suggested to save even more water. Thanks for your time!