Hotsy Resource Center—Pressure Washer FAQs
No one knows pressure cleaning like Hotsy! Now it's easy to learn all you need to
know about hot water & cold water pressure washers,
accessories, maintenance and more. Hotsy pressure cleaning experts have the answers
to your frequently asked questions. And if you don't find the answer here, call
your
local Hotsy dealer for more information or to book your free onsite demo!
How do I know if I need a hot water pressure washer or a cold
water pressure washer?
If the surfaces you are cleaning have any kind of grease or oil, you will need a
hot water pressure washer to cut through the grease. If you're tackling
caked-on dirt or mud, cold water pressure washer will
do the job. If you're still unsure about the type of pressure cleaning machine you
need, call your
local Hotsy dealer to speak with a power washing expert.
What's more important in a pressure washer: PSI & GPM?
The answer depends on your pressure cleaning application. When you have heavy soils
to wash, GPM (gallons per minute) can be most important. When you have stuck-on
grime, PSI (pounds per square inch of pressure) can be most important.
Despite what you see in advertisements or on a product label, volume is the deciding
factor and a quality pressure cleaning system will provide the proper balance of
volume and pressure. To make sure you choose the ideal power washing machine for
your jobs, contact your local Hotsy dealer to book a free onsite demo.
Our friendly professionals will
recommend the perfect hot water or cold water pressure washers
to suit your needs.
Pressure washing safety is important to me. Can I count on
a Hotsy pressure cleaning machine?
When it comes to pressure cleaning safety, you need the piece of mind knowing your
hot & cold water pressure washers are
certified to safety standards by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)
such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories), OSHA-approved Intertek ETL Semko and CSA
(Canadian Standards Association).
Don't be fooled, not all power washing systems have such approvals. At Hotsy, you
can rest assured that our pressure cleaning equipment is fully certified to help
you meet legal compliance, worker protection and liability protection. Contact your
local Hotsy dealer today for more information.
Should I consider a maintenance program for my cold & hot water
pressure washer?
Pressure cleaning machines move water under intense pressure, which creates wear
& tear on equipment. Coupled with the challenging environmental conditions these
machines often operate in, regular maintenance is recommended. Regular oil changes
are required on the engine and the pump. And parts that wear, such as belts, nozzles
and hoses, need replacement when worn down. Failure to maintain your pressure cleaning
systems can become a safety hazard.
If you use your pressure washer regularly it will need minor maintenance 2-3 times
per year. For your convenience, Hotsy service technicians will come directly to
you with a truck stocked full of parts so that they can likely fix your pressure
washer in just one trip! If your power washing equipment needs some attention, contact
your
local Hotsy dealer now!
What makes a Hotsy hot water pressure washer better than other
brands?
The biggest difference is the style of heating coil. (The coil is hundreds of feet
of superior Schedule 80 ASTM pipe rolled in a cylindrical shape). While Hotsy uses
Schedule 80 pipe, it’s important to note not all manufacturers do. Some choose to
use tubing or Schedule 40 coil. The coil is heated by a burner using oil, natural
gas, or liquid propane for fuel. The burner heats the coil and the heated coil heats
the water as it flows through the coil.
Your options are to buy a power washing machine with a horizontal lay-down coil,
or buy one with an upright coil. The horizontal coil design typically is more compact
because the coil is lying down, so the height of the pressure washer can be less
(although the machine may be longer). An upright coil has the burner at the bottom
of the coil instead of at the side as with a horizontal coil. Since heat rises,
it rises up from the bottom of the vertical coil past all the coils and out the
top. This is the most efficient coil for heating and energy usage, and produces
hotter water, which cleans better.
Hotsy industrial pressure cleaning systems use vertical coils exclusively, both
for energy efficiency and for higher water temperature. In addition, Hotsy has 11
different size coils for our 80 models of hot water pressure washers. Many
manufacturers have just one or two coil sizes. Hotsy coils can be matched to the
amount of water to be pumped through them, for maximum temperature while using the
least amount of fuel possible.
What type of pressure cleaning accessories do I really need?
Pressure cleaning accessories are a relatively minor cost that can have a huge impact
on making your cleaning faster and less expensive, while also saving wear-and-tear
on your hot & cold water pressure washers.
For example, the vast majority of pressure washers use far too much detergent. The
detergent valve is usually opened all the way because the operators like to see
lots of suds. A fixed orifice system can be installed to release the concentration
of detergent needed to achieve maximum cleaning results while using the minimum
amount of detergent.
A hose reel is another advantageous power washing accessory because it helps keep
your pressure hose from lying on the ground where it can absorb oil and grease or
be damaged by vehicles driving over the hose. A longer pressure hose makes it faster
and easier to clean larger areas.
Your Hotsy Cleaning Consultant will do a free Cleaning Efficiency Inspection to
determine whether adding accessories may speed your cleaning, lower your cleaning
costs and reduce machine wear-and-tear. Usually these improvements can be made to
your existing pressure washer, and can be even more easily made if it’s a Hotsy.
Contact your
local Hotsy dealer today for more information!
Why would I need a stationary Hotsy hot or cold water pressure
washer?
A permanently installed stationary pressure cleaning system can be an even better
value than a portable model in many applications. First, the cost is often the same
or less than for a portable machine. If there’s natural gas available, a stationary
pressure washer can run on natural gas, which is more cost effective and doesn’t
require refueling the burner system. Cold or hot water pressure washers can
be located in a shed or room, with piping or hose out to the wash area, which protects
it from weather, damage, and from operator abuse. Additionally, a stationary pressure
cleaning machine can be mounted on an equipment stand, with the detergent barrels
or totes placed under the stand to conserve floor space.
What is the difference between a belt-drive pump and a direct-drive
pump?
A high-pressure pump does not turn on its own; rather it is driven by an engine
or motor. Pumps driven by motor generally turn at 1100-1500 RPM while gasoline engines
turn at a rate of 3000-3600 RPM (1450-3450 RPM for electric motors). There are two
predominant ways to connect the pump to an engine or motor: directly (direct-drive)
or with a pulley and belt (belt-drive).
Direct-drive pumps are more compact, helping to keep the weight and cost down. Today’s
direct-drive pumps have been engineered to hold up very well, even under constant
use. The weakness, of course, is that a pump turning at 3600 RPM will wear out faster
than a pump that turns at 1500 RPM.
On the other hand, a belt-drive pump, configured with a pulley and belt, allows
the pump to turn at the slower rate (usually 1500 RPM). The belt also dissipates
the build up of heat and absorbs vibration from the engine. The ultimate benefit,
of course, is that downtime is minimized and the pump’s life is extended saving
you money in the long run.
What kind of warranty comes with a Hotsy?
Hotsy offers one of the best warranty programs in the industry, including a 7-year
guarantee on the Hotsy pump and a 5-year guarantee on the heating coil. To view
our complete warranty,
click here or contact your local Hotsy dealer now!
How can I convert my existing cold water pressure washer into
a hot water pressure washer?
Hotsy offers a heating module – the 9400 Series – which gives customers the flexibility
to "convert" cold water pressure washers into
hot water pressure washers. By attaching the heating module to a cold water
pressure washer, the pressurized water is now heated to produce all the benefits
of hot water power washing machine.
Still have questions about Hotsy’s cold & hot water pressure washers and accessories?
Call you
local Hotsy dealer now!
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