Hot water pressure washers need two energy sources – one to power the engine/motor and another to heat the water. An engine is powered by gasoline, and a motor uses electricity – those are your two most common power sources.

There are more energy options available to heat the water - either electricity or a heating fuel (such as oil, natural gas, kerosene, liquid propane or diesel). Whether you are cleaning indoors or outdoors will make a big difference in determining which power type is right for you. Indoors you need to beware of fossil fuel emissions; for instance, hard plumbing and venting are needed for natural gas.