3 Ways to Reduce Your Air Compressor's Carbon Footprint

Companies are constantly looking for ways to reduce carbon emissions and protect the earth. When doing an overview of your company, the best way to reduce carbon emissions is through individual changes in specific areas. If you use industrial air compressors at your company, then the air compressors could be using a lot more energy than you realize.

Even if the air compressor operates normally on a regular basis, you may not realize some of the power use problems the compressor causes. Check out three ways to reduce an air compressor's carbon footprint and how to implement those changes for the better.

1. Air Leak Repairs
The pipe system used to conduct compressed air in industrial settings is not a foolproof technology. Even if a compressor runs properly, a leaking pipe could create a lot of wasted energy. When an air leak occurs, a compressor needs to run harder and longer to provide the same type of power.

The air leak doesn't have to be dramatic either. A small crack or hole in a pipe can lead to a lot of wasted power. Hire an air compressor service company to inspect the pipes and repair any leaks. Special inspection tools will examine the air output levels and some of the common areas where you may have a leak.

Instead of just covering the leak, replacing the section of pipe is the best way to ensure proper airflow from the compressor. Air will run a lot more efficiently and help reduce carbon emissions on a daily basis.

2. Annual Maintenance
For a machine that just creates a large airflow, you can still find a lot of debris and build-up in parts and pipes. Ideally, you want to hire a maintenance team to clean out the whole air compressor system. The cleaning process will remove build-up inside the pipes and allow air to flow more smoothly.

With an air compressor cleaned out, the compressor doesn't have to work as hard to create air and push it through the pipes. Annual maintenance expands beyond just basic cleaning as well. A full inspection will check the compressor's part to see if they are working correctly or need replacement.

Replacing parts will help the air compressor run more efficiently. Depending on the usage of your compressor, you may seek out maintenance more than just once a year. Cleaning and inspections every couple of months will extend the life of the compressor while reducing emissions at the same time.

3. Air Compressor Upgrades
There comes a point where maintenance and cleaning can only do so much. In some cases, you can reduce your carbon footprint with a full replacement of the air compressor. There are two main reasons to consider an air compressor upgrade. The first is the age of your air compressor. New technology is able to provide the same power and function with less power use.

An older air compressor may use a lot more energy. An air compressor company can break down comparisons and showcase the differences in emissions when you make the switch. The reduction in emissions will also result in lower power costs for your company.

The second reason is based off your peak load analysis. If your company constantly pushes an air compressor to the limits, then the compressor will use full power for the majority of the time. If you upgrade to a bigger air compressor that needs to run less, then you will naturally reduce the peak load and cut down on your emissions.

For more information on air compressor maintenance, repairs, and installation, contact us at Compressed Air Systems. We have years of experience and our trained experts can help you find multiple ways to reduce your carbon footprint.