Gas vs Electric Pressure Washers Complete Guide
In this guide we are going to cover how to choose between a gas or electric-powered pressure washer will cover the pros and cons of gas and electric pressure washers and provide practical tips on helping you make the ideal choice for your projects.
Electric Pressure Washers
Pros
No required routine maintenance – Electric pressure washers are convenient because they do not require oil changes and engine maintenance in order to maintain continued use and efficiency. They are also easier to get ready for winter because you only have to worry about getting the power washer pump properly flushed for winter rather than a pump and engine.
Can be less expensive – If your looking for a lower PSI pressure washer you can get a basic electric pressure washer for as low as $159.00 while a similar gas washer will usually be at least $200.00.
Simplicity – With an electric power washer you won’t have to start the motor you can simply plug it in and being work.
Cons of Electric Pressure Washers
Not designed for the same cleaning efficiency as a gas power washer – A power washers efficiency is measured by a factor known as cleaning units which is a simple way to determine how fast a power washer can efficiently clean a surface. Cleaning units are calculated by taking the psi x gpm output of the pressure washer, the higher the cleaning units are the faster a power washer will clean a given surface. For electric pressure washers, you will usually not be able to produce more than 3000 PSI and 3.5 GPM output, with single-phase power your output and psi will be even more limited. 3000 PSI at 3.5 gpm translates into a cleaning efficiency of 9500. Gas pressure washers can get up to 30,000 cleaning units in efficiency.
For high cleaning efficiency you will spend a lot – For example to get a high efficiency (high cleaning unit) capable electric power washer equal to around 16000 cleaning units will easily cost $3500 dollars or more. You can get a gas-powered pressure washer with the same cleaning ability for $1299.00 or so.
Gas Pressure Washers
Pros
Portability – no need for an electric supply if you don’t have electric simply just get your power washer started and you can begin work immediately.
Higher cleaning efficiencies at a lower price – You can get lots of cleaning power from a gas pressure washer at a lower price than an equivalent electric power washer. For example for the same price as a 16000 cleaning unit electric power washer like this one cw-3004-sme3 you can get close to 24000 cleaning units from this BE washer.
Electric vs Gas Power Washers for Specific Situations
A homeowner looking for a simple washer for light cleaning projects around the home (siding, dirt off sidewalks that is not deep) - For this type of project we like the idea of an electric power washer no need to do much upkeep on it, the cost will be low, and it will get the job done though it may not be the fastest or most efficient way.
A homeowner looking for more serious cleaning ability and or portability- If you’re a homeowner looking to clean really dirty concrete or need portability we like a gas pressure washer for this project. Ideally, you choose a power washer with 2.5 GPM or more of output so you can use attachments like a surface cleaner to help improve the efficiency of cleaning up the concrete surfaces you are working on.
In an indoor location – If you have a stationary indoor location where you need to do cleaning whether it’s a garage as a homeowner or inside a manufacturing facility we recommend an electric power washer for these types of projects. Gas pressure washers cannot be safely used indoors. Usually, for indoor cleaning projects, you will have plenty of power with a 2000 or 3000 PSI output. Plus you can add optional features on an electric pressure washer like an auto-off timer that will shut the washer off if it's not being used for a few seconds. The features available and the indoor safety of an electric pressure washer make it the best choice for an indoor project.
Final Thoughts on Electric vs Gas Pressure Washers
In general, a gas pressure washer will provide more performance for the price relative to an electric pressure washer but require more routine maintenance and are not ideal for indoors. However electric pressure washers are usually best for indoor projects or for very budget-friendly options where you don’t have a need for high PSI and GPM output. You can check out our complete selection of gas and electric pressure washers below or reach out to us for suggestions on an ideal pressure washer for your needs.