OPERATING EQUIPMENT AT HIGH ALTITUDE

by Diane M. Calabrese

Baking, running, and operating equipment—what do they have in common? They are endeavors affected by altitude (elevation).

Let’s use one mile as an example of high altitude. Air pressure at 5,280 feet is 12 psi. That’s a genuine drop from 14.7 psi at sea level.

Altitudinal differences in air pressure can lead to suboptimal operation of equipment at higher altitudes. In some cases manufacturers have perfected self-adjustment of machine components; changes are made automatically and transparent to the machine operator.

Carburetors, which have largely disappeared from cars since the end of 2022, once had to be adjusted to compensate for the lower pressure of air flowing to the mix with fuel. Electronic fuel injection systems make the accommodation automatically. But machines that still have carburetors will need adjustment to ascertain the air intake matches the fuel availability when air is less dense.

Cooks experiment (e.g., reduce sugar and use higher protein flour) to get a plump cake. Equipment operators can more often than not work with trusted manufacturers to find machines rated at high altitude. Moreover, they can now buy kits to make adjustments to machines rated nearer sea level.

The truth is that baking enthusiasts can buy prepackaged mixes made for high altitude or with instructions for adjustments. But the true from-scratch cooks prefer to work it out alone.

For operators of pressure washers, there’s plenty of assistance available; and Yujin Anderson, general manager of Steamericas in Gardena, CA, tells us about the sort of help her company provides.

“We provide guidance on optimizing the Optima Steamer for high-altitude operation,” says Anderson. “Our team can advise on necessary adjustments, such as adjusting burning calibration by increasing the air intake from the fan to ensure optimal performance in low-oxygen environments.”

Lower air pressure means fewer oxygen molecules per unit volume. That’s fewer oxygen molecules to enter a combustion process. Taking in more air per unit of time gets more oxygen to the burn.

(Runners often train at high altitude to encourage their bodies to make more red blood cells—a normal physiological compensating process. More red blood cells, more hemoglobin to carry oxygen to metabolic—burn—sites in the body. Returning to a lower altitude, runners gain from the boost in oxygen for a short time.)

Equipment operators should consult with a distributor to find a machine that requires minimal or no adjustment. The large cohort of distributors for Anderson’s company are among the distributors in our industry ready to advise.

“In general we recommend electric steamers over diesel models to minimize the risk of miscalibration by end users,” says Anderson. “However, we recognize that high-altitude areas are often off-grid, making diesel-powered units the more practical choice.”

Some machines, although not specifically built for high-altitude use, simplify adjustments when working at high elevations. Equipment users moving through many different elevations in the normal course of job-to-job travel should consider them.

“Our new diesel-powered Optima Steamer XDM features an easy-to-use adjustable fan setting—button on control panel—allowing for better adaptation to high-altitude conditions,” says Anderson. “While not exclusively designed for high-altitude use, this feature helps ensure reliable operation in varying elevations. Additionally, we provide specific guidance on optimizing performance based on altitude.”

Anderson explains that many of her company’s machines see service at higher elevations. And it’s a natural fit.

“We come across a number of customer applications in high altitude or mountainous regions because it’s also hard to get water in such areas,” explains Anderson. “So customers find steamers especially helpful because you need a fraction of water—0.08 gallon per minute—to do the job, and of course there is almost no runoff.”

Simply because most people in the United States do not live at high altitude, most elevation-related issues with pressure washers are of little concern to contractors. In 1891 the U.S. Census Bureau issued a report on the nation’s population by elevation. Most people then lived within 1,000 feet of sea level.

Inhabiting lowlands made sense for lots of reasons—access to water, easier travel, and flatter arable land. It still does.

Only about one percent of the U.S. population now lives above 5,280 feet. Interestingly, the same percentage applies to the world’s population. Lowlands are favored.

Those who live at high elevations are acclimated. Those who live low and occasionally work high must acclimate on arrival, a process that can take days.

Thus, a big issue with using equipment at a high elevation is the potential for a machine operator who has a bit of a foggy brain and possibly nausea and dizziness. The U.S. military puts the threshold where altitude sickness begins at 4,000 feet for most people.

To safely use machinery, an operator should be acclimated to the altitude. Consequently, in addition to choosing a machine that performs well on a job at a mountain retreat, a contractor should be sure to allow time to adjust physically to the higher surroundings.

According to the Army Public Health Center, the effects of high-altitude exposure on humans may begin at 4,000 feet, but they typically become very serious only above 7,780 feet. Machine problems of serious sorts set in at 8,000 feet.

CONCERNS IN PERSPECTIVE

Many of the issues that could plague equipment users at high altitude have been resolved in the last several decades. Thanks to technology transfers from military and space travel research and design, many worries about machines at high altitude— and certified so—can be put aside. Unfortunately, in a pressure washer that gets put together without

quality verification, problems could erupt at high altitude. Insulation can become less effective at high altitude. The loss of effectiveness results because as air density decreases, the insulation’s dielectric strength—or its ability to resist breaking down and becoming a conductor—is reduced.

There are many issues related to electrical equipment at high altitude. They include the lower cooling efficiency and the voltage fluctuation in distribution lines because of less dense air.

To get a quick idea of the constellation of problems that may stem from a machine operating at high altitude but not built for the setting, just use any search engine to query problems with equipment at high altitude. The experimental AI that Google and others have operating will return possibilities ranging from overheated motors to cavitation in pumps.

As a general rule, air density decreases by a rate of one percent for every 100 meters (approximately every 328 feet) above sea level. So, equipment operating at 3,000 feet already experiences significantly “lighter” air than one running at sea level.

Equipment manufacturers strive to design machines and ancillaries that work optimally within a specified range of conditions. And the design focus encompasses pumps.

The more research that goes into the design of the machine, the better it can be built specifically for use at high altitude. Given that most pressure washers are used below 4,000 feet elevation, kits to modify the machines for occasional high-altitude use are considered by many manufacturers to be a better option.

Taking a pressure washer not rated for high altitude and simply using it anyway will work. But it will result in more fuel consumption (not good for the bottom line) and consequently higher emissions (not good for the environment). And it results in an unnecessary taxing of components with a likely loss of machine longevity.

In 2025 high-altitude work can pose problems for equipment. But by being attentive to the specifications on the machine, a contractor can determine whether it is a match for operations at high altitude.

A quick look at the number of powerwashing contractors in the Denver area illustrates that contractors in the area had no difficulty finding equipment that serves them consistently well. Water use and reclamation of water will probably be bigger day-to-day concerns.

As our source Yujin Anderson notes at the beginning of this article, one of the pluses of using a steam cleaner when possible is that it meshes well with the issue of scarce water. And it does that on top of being a good match for high altitude.

In the profiles of contractors in the Denver area, we note many who rely heavily on surface cleaners and soft washing. Both methods conserve water.

The mention of soft washing brings to the fore the issue of chemicals. Less dense air is generally drier air. When applying chemicals or soft washing at high altitude, contractors must calculate dwell time by the region’s environment. Obviously, successful contractors who work routinely at high altitude know that. But it’s an important reminder for contractors everywhere, especially at the rate drought conditions are being declared across the country.

Using equipment at high altitude is like using equipment at lower altitudes. Do what the ambient conditions require. Never assume. Follow a manufacturer’s instructions. (Yes, tires may need to be inflated some in winter, but don’t deflate them in summer—keep them in the recommended range.)

Adapting to altitude is not difficult. In fact, it’s easier than ever thanks to the continuous improvements made in equipment and components. CT