In manufacturing plants, air compressors are used to sustain air and energy to all equipment during the entire workday. These units come in various shapes and sizes, especially in tools and equipment like drills and air conditioning units.
Air compressors can use a lot of energy in just a few hours; 8 horsepower of electricity generates 1 horsepower of compressed air. To avoid paying mounting electric and maintenance costs, it’s best to use energy-efficient air compressors.
Why Is Energy Efficiency Important?
Using air compressors for hours leads to high energy consumption. If you want to save energy, consider these reasons to shift into energy-efficient ones:
- Cost savings
Industrial manufacturers spend huge amounts of money to keep the business going. It’s impossible to run these businesses without using heavy machinery and equipment, but it will save them money by using air compressors that need less power to run.
- Environmental benefits
When energy-efficient air compressors consume less energy to power equipment, the lesser harmful by-products go into the atmosphere. This ensures a clean environment for your business and the society.
- Less downtime and maintenance
Air compressors break down when used excessively. Switching into an energy-efficient one saves you from halting operations just to check and repair the machine, or worse, going all the way to a transmission shop in Pickering just for an issue that could have been avoided had you chosen an energy-efficient compressor.
Maximize these benefits by regularly inspecting your air compressors for faults and damages. Modify your compressed air systems to save energy while making sure your machines perform at optimum levels.
Choosing an Energy-Efficient Air Compressor
Air compressors are important investments for business owners to keep the operations running which explains the costly price tag. Ask yourself these questions when choosing a unit to buy:
How big of an air compressor unit and tank do I need?
Consider the size of the air compressor unit with the machine you have. Small air compressors can only power hand-held tools and small machines. This means more waiting time for air pressure to build up and increase energy consumption. Large units are built for heavy machinery and high-power equipment. This leads to higher energy consumption when the unit is too big for your operational requirements.
Small tasks are useful for short and quick usage while larger tanks are needed for long operations.
Does it provide sufficient airflow?
Calculated in cubic feet per minute (CFM), an air compressor’s output should be higher than the operational CFM requirement and lower than the maximum CFM output. This ensures that the machine or equipment powered by the compressor performs properly. Tools used intermittently have fewer CFM requirements than those used continuously within the workday.
What is the work environment?
Work environment plays a huge role in using air compressors. In cities like Vaughan, safety consultants are needed to keep the working environment safe while making sure that air compressors work well. Consider these two compressor drive systems based on your work environment.
- Electric motors are cheaper and need less maintenance. This could affect your energy-saving goals since it only works when plugged in an electric source.
- Gasoline engines are more portable since they run on fuel refills. However, they generate more heat, so it’s best to use them on outside operations to avoid overheating and reduce fire hazards. The exhaust can harm your workers and environment if left unchecked.
What tools will be used?
The air compressor that you need to buy should match the energy requirements of your tools. Whether it’s a hand tool like hammers or large equipment like jackhammers, you’ll achieve the energy efficiency you want when you match the tools’ energy requirements with the compressor’s capacity.
How much horsepower does the compressor need?
Determine the amount of horsepower you need when buying an air compressor. Compressors with high horsepower but low CFM won’t last long compared to other units that its CFM matches with the horsepower needed.
What are my control systems in place?
The existing control systems help you determine the right air compressors that match your energy efficiency requirement.
- Use the start/stop systems when work doesn’t need continuous air.
- Constant speed control is ideal if expecting more than six to eight starts per hour.
- Dual control uses an auxiliary valve that lets you toggle the switch between the above two controls.
What other features make it energy-efficient?
Air compressors have features to support its functionality and make them energy-efficient.
- Stainless steel finger valves eliminate corrosion.
- Oil-monitoring devices avoid damage that can be caused by low oil levels.
- One-piece connecting rods remove various internal adjustments.
When an air compressor has fewer parts, it needs less energy to function. Buy one with better features to spare you from constant maintenance checks and repairs.
Is it affordable or too cheap?
Buy an expensive air compressor to maximize using it for a long time. Always prioritize quality over price. Take note of the details when buying one.
To ensure air compressor efficiency, examine the entire system—the unit, together with the air tanks, supply lines, air dryers, receivers, and after-coolers. Make the right adjustments to your air compressor and you’ll surely save energy and other significant resources.
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