Pressure washing is a popular and commonly used method of cleaning driveways, stairs, and other outdoor and indoor portions of a house. The reason for preferring the pressure washing technique over the other methods is its effectiveness and efficiency. However, besides the advantages, you may wonder how it will affect your water bills.
So, this article will address the answer to the question: does pressure washing increase the water bill? Let’s analyze the various factors that influence the consumption of water during pressure washing and provide insights to help you manage the efficiency of your resources.
What is Pressure Washing?
Pressure washing is a highly effective technique to wash particular areas of your house, especially exterior surfaces. In this technique, you use a specialized machine known as a pressure washer.
A pressure washer surface cleaner functions by propelling a powerful stream of water onto the surface to be cleaned. The water from the pressure washer flows out at high pressure, and it removes all the dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and other contaminants.
Mechanics of a Pressure Washer
If you are wondering, does pressure washing increase the water bill? you must understand the mechanics of a commercial surface cleaner. At its core, a pressure washer operates on a simple and straightforward principle.
It uses a high-pressure pump to pressurize water and then forces it through a narrow nozzle or wand. When the water flows through the narrow mouth of the nozzle, it creates a concentrated and forceful stream. The key components of a pressure washer surface cleaner include
Water Inlet
To use a commercial surface cleaner to wash a surface, you need to provide a proper supply of water. Connect the pressure washer surface cleaner to a regular garden hose or any other source of water. The water flows from the water supply into the machine.
High-Pressure Pump
When you give a water supply to your pressure washer surface cleaner, and water reaches the high-pressure pump, it exerts intensive pressure on incoming water. Generally, the pressure ranges from one thousand pounds to four thousand pounds per square inch.
Hose and Nozzle
When the high-pressure pump puts adequate pressure on water, this pressurized water travels through a high-pressure hose to a specialized nozzle or wand. The intensity and width of the spray pattern depend upon the size and shape of the nozzle. If the diameter of the nozzle mouth is small, the pressure of water will be higher and vice versa.
Moreover, some surface pressure washers have soap nozzles that are used to apply detergents to enhance cleaning efficiency. Eveage provides you with the best commercial surface cleaners and offers adjustable pressure washers with all four nozzles as driveway pressure washer attachments.
Engine or Motor
Gasoline engines or electric motors are the surface cleaner parts that power the pressure washers. It is an important part of this machine as a pressure washer cannot work without a motor or engine. Motors usually need an electric supply to function, while engines run on fuel such as gasoline.
In gasoline-powered pressure washers, the engine or motor can also power a water heater for hot water pressure washing in addition to the high-pressure pump. Electric pressure washers can cause an increase in electric bills but give efficient output in cleaning driveways, terraces, patios, cars, etc.
Detergent Injector
Many pressure washers have a detergent reservoir, also known as a detergent tank. You can use the detergent injector to apply the cleaning solutions or detergents along with the water coming with a high pressure. It makes your task easier and saves your energy by removing stubborn stains without any effort.
Factors Affecting Water Consumption in Pressure Washing
The water consumption of a pressure washer surface cleaner has a deep relation with the question: does pressure washing increase the water bills? You must keep several factors in mind to determine how much water a commercial surface cleaners consumes.
Here are the key elements that influence water consumption:
Pressure and Flow Rate
Yes! The pressure from which the water flows through a nozzle and the frequency of its flow affect the water bills. So, to determine, does a pressure washer increase the water bill? Check the setting of your pressure washer surface cleaner.
If the pressure is high, more water will flow through your pressure washer surface cleaner, and more will be the water bill. You can save water bills by setting your pressure washer at low pressure, but for this, you might put more time and effort into achieving the same results and efficiency of cleaning.
Duration of Pressure Washing Tasks
The duration you spend on pressure washing also relates to the question, does pressure washing increase the water bill? If you are performing tasks that are time-consuming, there will be increased water usage. Ultimately, more consumption of water causes more water utility bills.
Operator Technique
The way you handle your pressure washer surface cleaner can alter the consumption of water. If you are using it for the first time or don’t have much experience, you may overuse the water to achieve the desired cleaning results. So, you will receive an increased water bill due to increased usage of water.
Estimating Water Usage
The status of your water bill depends upon how much water is used during the pressure washing. To estimate the water usage during pressure washing, you need to consider two main factors:
Pressure Washer Specifications
Check the specifications of your pressure washer surface cleaner for the gallons per minute (GPM) rating. This rating tells you the amount of water the pressure washer consumes in one minute during cleaning.
The rate of GPM depends upon the power of your pressure washer, and an ideal pressure washer has a GPM ranging from 1.2 to 4 GPM. The electric pressure washers use less water and have low ratings of GPM as compared to the pressure washers that are powered by gas.
Average Usage Time
While using a pressure washer surface cleaner, note the expected time you will spend on it. It can vary according to the size of the surface you are cleaning and the level of dirt and grime deposited on the surface.
For example, if your driveway has an average area, it may take 1-2 hours to clean, and you can wash your car in 15-30 minutes.
Approximating the Increase in Water Bill
Once you have the GPM rating and have estimated the time of usage, you can approximate the increase in your water bill using the following steps:
Calculate Total Water Usage (in gallons)
Simply multiply the GPM rating by the number of minutes you plan to use it. This will give you the total water usage for that specific task in gallons.
For example, if your pressure washer has a GPM of 2 and you plan to use it for 60 minutes, the calculation would be 2 GPM x 60 minutes = 120 gallons of water used.
Check Local Water Rates
Usually, the rates of water are measured in dollars per 1000 gallons of consumed water. However, the rates of water differ according to the area. So, while calculating the water usage, check the rates of water in the region you are living.
Calculate the Cost
After getting the amount of water usage in gallons and the cost of water you are using in pressure washing, multiply them with each other.
For instance, if the rate of water in your location is $5 per 1,000 gallons, and you used 120 gallons, the calculation would be (120 gallons / 1,000) x $5 = $0.60.
From this calculation, you can get an approximate cost of the water you use for a single pressure washing task.
Tips to Minimize Water Usage While Pressure Washing
Pressure washing is an effective cleaning method, but it can use a significant amount of water. To prevent the wastage of water while pressure washing, you should use the following tips:
Choose the Right Nozzle and Pressure Settings
You should use a nozzle that keeps a balance between cleaning power and the efficiency of water. If you use the nozzles with wider spray patterns (e.g., 25-degree or 40-degree), you can get better cleaning results in less water than narrow ones (e.g., 0-degree or 15-degree).
Moreover, adjust the pressure settings on your pressure washer according to the cleaning task. At lower pressure, you can effectively clean many areas with less consumption of water.
Effective Techniques for Efficient Water Use
● You can cover the area evenly by sweeping the nozzle back and forth in a controlled motion.
● It is necessary to maintain a consistent distance from the surface you are cleaning.
● Soak the surface with a cleaning solution or detergent before starting cleaning and allow it to sit for a few minutes.
● Use a driveway pressure washer attachment when you are cleaning large and flat areas like driveways. These attachments cause an efficient use of water.
Regular Maintenance of Equipment
Your pressure washer demands proper maintenance for efficient use of water and the best cleaning outcomes. Inspect your pressure washer regularly and fix any issues promptly to prevent the wastage of water.
Collect and Reuse Runoff Water
It is better to use the best commercial surface cleaner or a driveway pressure washer attachment that collects and recycles the water during pressure washing. This not only reduces water usage but also helps to protect the environment
Conclusion
When it comes to the use of pressure washer surface cleaner, a common question that hits your mind is, “ Does pressure washing increase the water bill?” It depends upon the consumption of water, which is based on multiple factors, such as pressure, flow rate, nozzle selection, and cleaning time.
To conserve water, it is essential to strike a balance between these factors. You can estimate the expenses of your water usage if you know the price of water in your area. It can help in reducing the water bill by contollong the usage of water. You can increase the efficiency of water by implementing the given tips.
