by Jon Simmons, HydraMaster Corp.

For years, carpet cleaning instructors have told us that heat makes a huge difference in carpet cleaning results, providing commentaries like, "For every 18° temperature increase over a base temperature of 118°, the molecular action of water doubles, resulting in more cleaning action…" And they're right. The basic laws of physics help us remove soil from our customer's carpets and heat is important for fast, effective cleaning.

Heat Exchange Systems

Heat exchangers — a device that takes heat from a source and transfers it to another medium — can be an efficient means of heating a cleaning solution however, not all heat exchanger systems are created equally. Most manufacturers agree that the engine and blower produce enough heat to make heat exchangers potentially effective but it is the design of your particular truckmount that will determine whether that heat is made available for cleaning and whether it is delivered in a consistent manner.

Maximum Temperature

It is statements like these that inspire most truckmount manufacturers to boast of their machine's heat capabilities in big, bold print. But buyers beware — peak heat numbers can be deceptive. While achieving maximum temperature is important, equally critical is the consistency and honesty of that heat.

Getting Enough Hot Water

Most anyone will tell you that cleaning solutions heated to 230° will clean far more efficiently than a solution at 200°. So consider what happens if the first few passes of the cleaning tool put down solution at 230° and the next passes are 30° cooler than the first. Obviously the hotter passes will clean better than the cooler ones, leaving an inconsistent, streaked appearance on the carpet. Not exactly a good recipe for repeat work and referrals!

Getting Consistent Temperature

Getting enough heat is the first battle but controlling the heat is just as important. A poorly engineered Heat Exchange system might allow large changes in temperature output with dangerous spikes of hot water. Again, it's hard to clean consistently if the temperature isn't steady. A poorly engineered control system allows a large dead-band before actuating. A superior solid-state system is capable of controlling the heat within 2° of the set point, resulting in high, yet consistent heat giving you streak free cleaning. Another feature of these advanced systems is that they are designed with a recirculation loop to prevent overheating when the cleaning tool is not being used. Keep in mind that not all heat exchangers are created equal. (All Heat Exchange Truckmounts Are Not Created Equal)

Honesty in Heat

Ask yourself… is the temperature gauge accurate? Is the temperature registered on the gauge really what is being delivered to the solution hose and at the cleaning tool? Gauges can be inaccurate if the sensor is positioned back in the system at the hottest spot. The proper location for the sender is at the outlet quick-connect manifold as it leaves the machine. We've also seen manufacturers who intentionally use gauges that are inaccurate around the 200+ range resulting in overstatement of the temperature output by as much as 25 degrees!

What Can I Do?

So, how can a buyer know what the real temperature output of a machine is? The only way to be sure is to test each machine with a "Lie-Detector" external temperature/pressure gauge. Most distributors will make these available to buyers on request. (All Heat Exchange Truckmounts Are Not Created Equal)

Heat generation is just one of the many important factors you should consider as you purchase your truckmount. The hidden engineered features are important to recognize in making the best choice of a truckmounted system and these refined features are what separate quality manufacturers from the rest. (Hydramaster.com)

Expert help is available to assist you in determining your needs and what machine is best for you. (How To Buy Truckmounted Carpet Cleaning Systems)