What is GPM?
GPM stands for gallons per minute and is a measurement of how many gallons a pump can move per minute. It is also referred to as flow rate. GPM is variable based on another measurement known as the Head, which refers to the height the water must reach to get pumped through the system. It is also referred to as flow rate. GPM is variable based on another measurement known as the Head, which refers to the height the water must reach to get pumped through the system.
Pressure Washers Consume Less Water Than You Think
An average pressure washer uses around 1.5 gallons per minute (GPM), which is an important measurement of water consumption. In comparison, a common garden hose runs at around 10 GPM – almost nine times more water per minute.
Surprisingly, the high-powered pressure washer consumes less water than a garden hose. There are a few reasons for this.
First, pressure washer nozzles are significantly smaller than garden hose nozzles. The narrow nozzle concentrates the water into a high-pressure jet stream. This allows the pressure washer to efficiently remove dirt and grime while reducing water usage.
Second, pressure washers recirculate the water through the pump, forcing multiple passes of water through the nozzle. This helps maximize the cleaning effect of each gallon of water.
Despite their power, pressure washers leverage engineering design features to reduce water consumption compared to typical garden hoses. The narrow, high-pressure nozzle and water recirculation enable pressure washers to provide superior cleaning while using less water overall.
How Many GPM Do you Need to Clean
There is no definitive answer for how many gallons per minute a pressure washer uses. It depends on the specific pressure washer model, size and power. In general:
Duty | Type | GPM |
Light | Electric pressure washers | 1-2 gallons per minute |
Medium | Gas pressure washers | 2-4 gallons per minute |
Heavy | Commercial pressure washers | up to 8 or more gallons per minute |
The higher the gallons per minute, the more powerful the pressure washer. More GPM means a higher flow rate of water through the pump, which produces higher water pressure and stronger cleaning ability.
Other factors that impact GPM include the water inlet size and pump size and type. In general, higher PSI pressure washers tend to have higher GPM to produce that water pressure.
Choose a Pressure Washer with a Low GPM Rating
Gallons per minute (GPM) measures how much water a pressure washer uses while running. A lower GPM rating means the pressure washer uses less water.
When shopping for a pressure washer, focus on selecting a model with a low GPM. Pressure washers with a GPM rating under 2 are best for conserving water usage, though they tend to be less powerful.
Nozzle Effect the GPM
Using different nozzle tips on a pressure washer can effectively lower its GPM rating and conserve water usage. If you don't know much about nozzles, please refer to the how to choose the right nozzle for your pressure washer.
Nozzles come in various shapes and sizes that determine the spray pattern of the pressurized water. Wider fan nozzle tips spread the force of the water jet over a larger area. This reduces the amount of water concentrated in a single spot, lowering the effective gallons per minute flowing through the nozzle.
Final Thought
In conclusion, while there is no single defined amount of water that all pressure washers consume, gallons per minute (GPM) is an important specification that indicates a pressure washer's water usage and efficiency. In general, lower GPM pressure washers below 2 GPM are best for conserving water and moderate cleaning power, while higher GPM washers offer more forceful cleaning but at the cost of using more water.