Provided by: Champion Compressors
30/06/2008 - In Australia, about 10% of all industrial electricity consumption is used in powering compressed air systems. Whilst it is a safe, reliable and necessary form of energy, compressed air is often taken for granted – working consistently through the day without a worry, for a cost you don’t think about.
Evaluating your compressed air system’s performance can produce surprising environmental and cost savings. A properly designed and maintained compressed air system that is energy efficient can save your company thousands of dollars each year.
Follow this checklist to make your compressed air system more energy efficient:
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Check for leaks and pressure losses throughout the system regularly (monthly).
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Ensure the entire system is monitored by good housekeeping practices.
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Reduce pressure settings to the minimum where possible.
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Ensure condensation can be removed swiftly from the distribution network, or does not occur.
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Use high quality air only when necessary – filters and dryers reduce pressure, increasing energy consumption.
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Reduce the air compressor intake air temperature by ducting outside air into the compressor inlet.
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Check that receivers are sized to store air for short heavy demands.
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Check that the size of your compressor meets current demands only.
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Consider your use of consumable products, where choosing a high-performance and biodegradable compressor lubricant can significantly increase operational lifetime by up to 8 times.
