Frequent Silent Air Compressor Maintenance Can Prevent Businesses from Losing up to £100m a Year
The operating cost of air compressors reaches about 30 percent of the electric bill of a building site. However, about 76% of your company’s compressor lifecycle expenses arise from electrical consumption.
Considering the cost and energy consumption recorded by compressors, it’s therefore critical for your business to eliminate deficiencies and save more money. One such deficiency is a compressor air leak, common in many businesses, and wormy than it appears.
Meanwhile, even the most reliable silent air compressor requires essential professional maintenance. The more significant challenge is that some compressor air leaks can be pretty small, concealing pressure reduction in the tank and introducing phantom energy costs.
How Much Are Businesses Losing to Air Leaks Per Year?
A recent Direct Air study reveals an approximated £100 million yearly loss following compressor air leaks in the UK only. This estimation thus suggests high losses companies are recording unknowingly, even though the losses can be managed by investing in scheduled low noise air compressor maintenance.
The mistake most production sites make is to harbor the belief that small escaping puffs of air are not capable of adding to business costs. Unfortunately, your business could be recording a £600 loss each year from one 3mm hole leak.
Furthermore, approximately 20-40 percent of air generation in production facilities becomes wastes following an ill-maintained air system, increasing the business running cost by at least £2-£7 daily.
Now, the shocker! Many businesses can save thousands by investing in compressor maintenance to get their machines supervised and fixed. Another study recorded in the survey shows a possible £37,000 cost a single business can save yearly.
Why Air Compressor Maintenance is Important for Businesses
The common reason for investing in air compressor maintenance is to reduce expenses going forward. However, there are more reasons you may not have known!
First, compressor maintenance enhances workplace safety. In every production facility, employee safety is vital. Air leaks that are not maintained or repaired can result in operational problems, making tools malfunction. Yes, using malfunctioning production tools expose the workforce to hazardous risks.
Secondly, not investing in air compressor maintenance reduces productivity following excessive downtime. When your business records air leak-inspired breakdowns, it reduces maintenance intervals by increasing the machine failure rate. Since production depends on compressed air, you’d invest more in maintenance and repairs than meeting production objectives.
Thirdly, air wastage is expensive, and air leaks mean toxic energy occupying the atmosphere with carbon emissions. It does not speak well of companies destroying the greenness of the planet. Moreover, wasted air results in reduced energy, which our business relies on for production. So, the needed air for particular production will be insufficient, inciting the need to invest in an unnecessary replacement instead of focusing on other productive facets of the business.
How to Stop Air Leaks from Occurring
What are the essential practices to stop air leaks while inviting professional compressed air system maintenance?
- Fasten Every Connection
Make it a habit to inspect your air compressor system regularly, paying attention to the connection spots. Look out for loose areas on the machine and tighten them. If there has been no inspection in a while, there’d definitely be loose components to tighten. - Tighten Screws and Fasteners
All screws and fasteners must be fastened and tightened to keep your compressed air system from air leaks. Compressed air motors can distort internal components after some time, shaking loose screws and fasteners from their tight positions. While inspecting the machines, listen out for unusual sounds and watch out for unstable joints. One tightened joint can make the difference, stopping air leaks. - Change the Valve Seal and O-Ring Regularly
The rubber components of the air compressor can break after some time due to motor pressure and heat. The valve seals and O-rings suffer heavy pressure, which you must maintain regularly by replacing the components to stop air leaks. - Fix or Replace Worn Components
You must replace lubricators, flanges, leaking drains, worn filters, and regulators to fix compressed air leaks. Minor repairs can make the difference, but replacement keeps the machine new and running for an extended period.
How Air Compressor Maintenance Saves Running Cost
A business saves more money preventing rather than managing problems. In a typical production company, prompt air leak repairs and system servicing mitigate downtime, which saves cost, as mentioned earlier.
Moreover, you can schedule preventive maintenance in convenient times, such that production hours are not interrupted. It also puts off the chances that machines will break down, demanding urgent repairs while attempting to meet production demands.
Air compressor maintenance also saves cost by enhancing efficiency and compliance with production. Depending on your jurisdiction, not complying with the laid standard of operation could be costly for the business. Air preventive compressed air maintenance ensures that your production equipment is efficient, meaning fewer or no leaks.
The business world is highly competitive today. Of course, you want your business to set the pace, which wouldn’t be possible if other businesses are ahead. Air leak maintenance, thus, matches your productive strength with the competition, either keeping you in the lead or in a favorable position to maximize profit.
An Ounce of Prevention…
“Preventative maintenance is a good investment”. Although air leaks are a business menace, preventive professional compressed air measures can solve the problem. Ensure to invest in the right provider for regular maintenance, including timely fixes, repairs and best practice recommendations.
