Power Pressure Washers are getting more popular for household and commercial use in recent years, but whenever one searches online or at the local neighborhood hardware store, one is often confused by all the acronyms like PSI, GPM and CU. The worst part is that most would simply go by guessing what these interpretations mean, being too shy to admit that they do not know. Here, we will arm you with the essential knowledge to let you confidently shop without confusion.
PSI or pounds per square inch is used to describe the cleaning pressure a pressure washer delivers. This essentially means pressure power and it is important to note that the higher it gets, the greater the pressure it exerts and hence the greater power consumed. You will find that PSI is the most popular tag that is used together with any model description. This gives you, the buyer, a good perspective of how powerful the machines are relative to each other.
GPM or gallons per minute refers t the actual water flow or the spray rate of the unit nozzle. This simply means water usage. It is good to note that with a higher number, you will incur greater water consumption. Some manufacturers do provide this information together with the model description for clarity.
CU which means cleaning units is simply a combination of PSI x GPM which, to some, gives better perspective on total utility consumption as an overview.
Balance up the both PSI and GPM, compromise one for the other and your utility bills will not be overtaxed. Always understand your own cleaning needs and never fall for the sales pitch at the store. To guide you along, here is a short guide on what type of power pressure washers are suitable for respective tasks. For home use such as cleaning of grills, lawn furniture, car washing, sidewalks, driveways, choose units of 1,200 to 2,000 PSI. For larger home cleaning tasks like the patios, balconies, decks, sidings and removal of very stubborn waxy grease and grim, use units with 2,000 to 3,000 PSI. And if you are looking for commercial units for your pressure washing business, choose machines with 2,200 to 3,500 PSI for more demanding cleaning projects.
Always remember that that you must know your own cleaning needs in order to choose the right power pressure washer to suit the tasks at hand.
