Pressure Washing Institute Manual / Commercial Washing Instructions and tips

[Ron Musgraves]

Pressure Washing Pros: Stop Overpaying for Fuel!​

Are you still paying full price at the pump to run your hot water units or equipment?


Here’s a little-known secret: If your machines never hit the road — burners, reclaim systems, pressure washers, etc. — you could be saving 50¢ to over $1 per gallon.

Here’s How:​

• Use dyed diesel for equipment (no road tax = big savings)
• Or use regular gas and file for a tax refund
• Install on-site fuel tanks and get bulk delivery
• Use mobile fueling services at job sites

Pro tip: Keep records and receipts. File IRS Form 4136 for refunds. Never use off-road fuel in road vehicles — the fines are steep.


Many contractors are saving $3,000+ per year just by changing where and how they fuel up.


This isn’t a loophole — it’s the law. And it’s made for pressure washing businesses like yours.


Full guide now in the official PressureWashingInstitute.org Contractor Education Manual.


Download your free copy here: PressureWashingInstitute.org/manuals

 

[Ron Musgraves]

Title: Save Big on Fuel – What Every Pressure Washing Pro Should Know About Non-Road Diesel


If you’re in the pressure washing business and you're not already taking advantage of non-road diesel, you could be leaving serious money on the table.


Here’s the deal: Every gallon of diesel you pump at the station for on-road use is hit with both federal and state road taxes. But if that fuel is going into equipment that doesn’t touch a public road — like hot water pressure washers, generators, or anything stationary — you could avoid paying those taxes entirely.

How Much Can You Save?​

Across the U.S., the average road fuel tax adds up to about 55–60 cents per gallon — some states even top $1.00 per gallon. That means if your crew burns through 100 gallons of diesel a week in equipment, you're potentially wasting $50–$100 every single week.

Hot Water Units = Higher Fuel Burn​

Those of us running hot water units know how quickly fuel disappears on long commercial jobs. It’s not uncommon to burn through half or more of your fuel in your burners alone during overnight shifts. That’s all fuel that qualifies as non-road usage.

Two Ways to Take Advantage​

1. Set Up a Fueling Station at Your Shop


If you have a fleet and a fixed location, consider setting up a small fuel tank on-site. Fuel delivery services can bring dyed diesel (non-taxed, off-road fuel) right to your shop. This is perfectly legal as long as you’re not putting it in vehicles that drive on public roads.

Important: Non-road diesel (also called "dyed diesel") is illegal to use in any vehicle that travels on public streets. It’s meant strictly for equipment.

2. Use Designated Non-Road Fueling Stations


Some cities have stations that sell diesel specifically for equipment use. These locations do not include the road tax in their pricing. Ask your local fuel supplier or check state energy websites for approved fueling points. They're especially common in agricultural and industrial zones.

Documentation Matters​

Keep accurate records. If you’re ever audited, you’ll want to show:

• Where the fuel went (equipment, not trucks)
• How much you used
• Where you bought it

Bottom Line​

If half your diesel usage is going into machines that never touch the street, you should not be paying road taxes on that fuel.


The savings can add up fast:

• 100 gallons/week = $55–$60 saved
• 400 gallons/month = $220–$240 saved
• 5,000 gallons/year = $2,750–$3,000+ saved

This is an easy win for pressure washing companies looking to cut costs without cutting corners.

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Want Help Setting This Up?


If you're interested in learning more about how to set up a legal fueling station, or where to find non-road fueling stations in your area, let’s talk. This is one change that could drop thousands of dollars back into your business.

 

[Ron Musgraves]

Unleaded (Gasoline) Used in Off-Road Equipment​

If you're using regular gasoline to run generators, pressure washers, lawn equipment, or other machinery that doesn’t operate on public roads, you're entitled to a refund of federal and sometimes state road fuel taxes — just like with diesel.


However, there are key differences:

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No Dyed Gasoline​

Unlike diesel (which has a dyed version for off-road use), gasoline doesn’t come in a dyed "tax-free" form. That means:

• You pay the full pump price upfront
• Then you apply for a refund of the federal and/or state road taxes for the gallons used in equipment

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Refund Amount for Gasoline​

• Federal gas tax: 18.4¢ per gallon
• State gas taxes: range from 10¢ to 60¢ per gallon, depending on your state

Total savings can be 25¢ to 75¢ per gallon when you file properly.

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How to Get Your Money Back​

1. Track usage carefully (how many gallons went into non-road equipment)
2. Keep receipts from the fuel purchases
3. File IRS Form 4136 annually (Federal Excise Tax Credit)
4. Some states (like California, Texas, etc.) have state-level refund forms as well

Note: Many pressure washing businesses don’t take advantage of this simply because the paperwork feels like a hassle — but it can be worth thousands in annual savings.

Fuel Type	Upfront Savings	Refund Option	Avg Savings/gal
Dyed Diesel	Yes	Not needed	55–60¢
Gasoline (Unleaded)	No	Yes (file refund)	25–75¢

Pro Tip:​

If your business uses a lot of unleaded in cold-water machines or generators, you might want to set up a bulk fuel storage tank at your shop and:

• Track equipment-only usage
• Avoid putting it in company trucks
• File for tax refunds quarterly or annually