Energy Saving Actions for Compressor Owners

Here are the top actions you can take to save energy in your compressed air system.

• Fix all leaks;

• Improve end use efficiency;

• Reduce air pressure to the lowest level required by equipment - 

  • Save 1 percent in power for every 0.14 bar or 2 psi pressure reduction;

  • A 0.7 bar or 10 psi drop could result in 5 percent power savings;

  • Compressors generally last longer at lower pressures;

• Use unloading controls, adjust cascading set points, and apply automatic sequencing;

• Use pressure-reducing valves on all equipment which consume air, and set at the lowest possible pressure; 

• Reduce run time;

• Add primary receiver volume;

• Shut air off when machines are not in use;

• Pipe intake to a clean, cool location:

  • Reciprocating compressor capacity can be increased for every degree drop in temperature;

  • This improvement does not necessarily apply to oil-flooded rotary compressors;

• Centrifugal compressors are "mass flow" machines, and SCFM or SCMH and horsepower or kW are both directly affected by inlet air temperature -

  • check manufacturer’s specifications; 

  • install, upgrade or adjustcompressor controls,

For more information contact Mearsecroft
Created and updated by Spiders Webs