Technically speaking, air compressors are used for converting one form of energy into another. You’ll be surprised to know that from hospitals and construction sites to manufacturing plants, almost every industry relies on compressed air. One of the major reasons why compressed air is so indispensable is due to its versatile nature. 

You should know that every industry requires a different type of air compressor. You’ll even find air compressors for the food industry. Obviously, you can’t use the one that is used to power a dentist’s drill in a manufacturing plant. No matter what type of air compressor you use, it is essential for you to take good care of it to get the most from it. 

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Here are some tips that can help you get the most life out of your air compressor. Take notes as they could come in handy for you in the near future. 

• Reduce the risk of unwanted moisture

According to industry experts, nearly 5% of plant maintenance costs are usually spent to combat the drastic effects of moisture in the air compressors. See, the air is frequently discharged from a compressor, and the after-coolers are used to cool the air. Now, this is something that might result in excessive condensation and the addition of unwanted moisture in the air distribution system. 

That’s why you need dryers to remove the built-up moisture from the compressor. You should also know that the moisture can lead to pressure loss in the compressor, which could be really expensive to recover. Try to schedule routine checkups to ensure that your compressor is delivering dry air at the intended pressure. 

• Ensure adequate lubrication

It goes without saying that air compressors need proper lubrication to meet your service conditions. But it is the quality of the lubricant formulation that matters for your compressor’s efficiency. Industry experts confirm that a balanced formulation approach is used to manufacture the best air compressor lubricants. 

Plus, you must know more about what air compressor areas you need to lubricate. For instance, a Reciprocating Air Compressor needs to be lubricated at the Crankcase area, including the bearings, bushings, timing gears, and crosshead guides. Lubricating your air compressors can also help you mitigate different challenges such as rust and corrosion, making your compressor last longer. 

• Do not skimp on air filters

You might be familiar with the fact that an air filter is definitely a critical component of any air compressor. It is the one thing that ensures the air passing through the system is clean and cool. So, it would be best to make sure that the air filters in your compressor are clean. Also, you would need to use appropriate air filters to prolong the life of your compressors. 

Pro Tip: It would be best for you to ensure that the air filters in your compressor have no built-up moisture. This is because the excess water will reduce the effectiveness of oil in tools, increase harmful friction, and promote rusting. 

In the end, 

Maintaining industrial equipment can help you save money and prolong its life. So, use the tips mentioned above and take the right approach to your air compressor maintenance program to ensure it is running at its best.