Have you ever wondered what sort of fuel is the best for heating your water for a personal or commercial hot water pressure washer?
Here at Alkota, we asked the experts those "commonly asked questions" to give you the answers.
Alkota prides itself with all their machines being made in the USA. We strive for excellence with advanced machines for specialized jobs, and great customer service.
What fuel options do you have?
We sat down to question our Alkota experts on the differences of fuel options for your machines. If you have been wondering, read more below.
Diesel
There are many sources of Diesel. Diesel fuel burns hotter than most, making it a great choice for heating water for personal and commercial use hot water pressure washers.
Diesel: this is the one you can get most commonly from the gas station pump. Be warned, it can be inconsistent depending on additives, sulfur, time of the year, etc. However, it is the easiest fuel to get.
Manufacturer Diesel: this is the recommended source for fuel. It is clean and pure, without the additives that can cause issues. However, it is more expensive and harder to come by.
Off Road Diesel: this is typically what farmers use. There is a difference with this type of fuel, as it is taxed differently. However, it is the cheapest option and not always the best for the machine. Again can be harder to source regularly.
Bio Diesel: NOT RECOMMENDED
Often times if you have a portable machine, we recommend diesel. It is generally easy to find, efficient and affordable.
Kerosene
This is much more consistent fuel. It burns cleaner, lighter grade of fuel, and easier to burn versus diesel. It uses a bit of heat, though it is nominal. Issue, it is not readily available and does not have quite the diversity as diesel.
Common misconception: Some believe you can burn Kerosene in your shop. This is not true, this is very dangerous and can cause explosion and fire. Make sure if you are using kerosene, keep your machine outside and well ventilated!
Home HEating Fuel
Home Heating Fuel or Fuel Oil is fantastic if you can get it. In some cases there might be more build up from the pump because the pump is designed for combustion motors. As home heating fuel is not an options around the globe, we still wanted to list it for folks who have access.
Electric
While not as common, electricity can also be used to heat water. One main benefit is there is no open flame. It can heat much faster, but it takes more power, requiring more amperage most often found in industrial applications. It requires a permanent installation, but there are no smoke or fumes and can be equipped indoors. If you have the power needed available, the Alkota all electric can be an excellent choice.
If you don't have the power available, natural gas or propane will work. You will need to install an exhaust system to pump it outside.
Gasoline
Sorry, this is not even an option for heating water.
TO SUM IT UP
Diesel is great for your portable hot water pressure washer machines or heaters.
Fixed installed machines within a building is a great choice. This requires the propane or natural gas or as the fuel source, as it is cheaper to run than diesel. There is an upfront cost, but it is stationary and usable.
While not as common - electric can also be used to heat water - main thing - no open flame. Can heat much faster but it does take a lot of power - 3 phase power and a lot of amperage best in an Industrial application - permanent install setup. No smoke or fumes - use it inside or closed environment
If you have more questions about what type of fuel or machine is right for your needs, we encourage you to reach out to one of our dealers today. They have the know-how and experience to get you setup right.
If you are in the hunt for a new hot water pressure washer machine or heater, contact a Distributor near you.
