How much pressure washers do I need?
Pressure washers are evaluated based on three key metrics:
Motor Power: The power of the motor is measured in watts (W) for electric pressure washers and in horsepower (Hp) for petrol-powered ones.
Water Pressure: Measured in bars, water pressure typically ranges from 90 bar to 280 bar. Higher bar values signify greater pressure, making the pressure washer more powerful.
Maximum Water Flow Rate: Measured in liters per hour (Ltr/hr), this indicates the volume of water the pressure washer can deliver.
When selecting a pressure washer, water pressure and flow rate are crucial considerations. Optimal choices depend on the task at hand, as insufficient pressure can prolong the cleaning process, while excessive pressure may lead to damage.
A higher water flow rate facilitates quicker cleaning of large surfaces by determining the speed at which the pressure washer rinses.
Pressure washer applications are categorized as light duty, medium duty, and heavy duty, corresponding to the surface type and level of dirt. Selecting the appropriate pressure level is vital for effective and safe cleaning.
For guidance, the table below outlines recommended water pressure based on the nature of the cleaning job:
Power Source | Motor Power | Water Pressure | Max Flow Rate | Duty |
---|---|---|---|---|
Electric | 1300W | 90 bar | 300 L/hr | Light |
Electric | 1600W | 100 bar | 350 L/hr | Light |
Electric | 1800W | 110 bar | 400 L/hr | Light |
Electric | 2000W | 120 bar | 450 L/hr | Medium |
Electric | 2200W | 130 bar | 500 L/hr | Medium |
Electric | 2400W | 140 bar | 550 L/hr | Medium |
Electric | 2800W | 150 bar | 600 L/hr | Medium |
Electric | 3000W | 160 bar | 650 L/hr | Heavy |
Electric | 3200W | 170 bar | 700 L/hr | Heavy |
Electric | 3500W | 180 bar | 750 L/hr | Heavy |
Petrol | 6.5 Hp | 150 bar | 400 L/hr | Light |
Petrol | 8.0 Hp | 160 bar | 450 L/hr | Medium |
Petrol | 10.0 Hp | 170 bar | 500 L/hr | Medium |
Petrol | 13.0 Hp | 180 bar | 550 L/hr | Heavy |
Petrol | 16.0 Hp | 190 bar | 600 L/hr | Heavy |
Petrol | 20.0 Hp | 200 bar | 650 L/hr | Heavy |
Most pressure washers allow you to vary the pressure. So, if you buy a pressure washer with enough bar for heavy-duty tasks, you can also use it for light-duty tasks.