There are lots of new air compressors available. People should consider the compressor rating and their exact requirements as air compressor owners. A cheap 20 gallon air compressor really might be enough for a lot of people, especially if they’re relatively new to home improvement projects. They might not need something that has a substantially larger capacity, or a device that is going to be more difficult to use.

Many people will specifically want a compact portable air compressor. These products will already take up much less space than many of the others, which will make storing them significantly easier for all customers. Some people might not have a lot of room in their workshops or workspaces, and an air compressor like this might be the more practical option for everyone.
A compressor for home use will usually be relatively small for this reason. However, people still need to make sure that it’s a powerful enough device. Plenty of modern air compressors are both safe and powerful. People should be able to learn how to use them relatively easily as well.

An air compressor is an important tool in many auto mechanic and home improvement contractors garages. The air compressor is used in many settings and has many uses. For this reason, it is one of the first tools purchased by these industries of employment. When shopping for your first air compressor or compressor piping system, what factors are even important? You will find multiple brands and types of air compressors on the market, even claiming that they are the best brand. How do you decide what do look for in your air compressor?

Energy usage

Energy efficiency ratings can be found on almost anything today. People want tools and appliances that use as little of energy as possible. This saves on utility costs and is better for the environment, which is important to many businesses. When you are comparing different compressor piping and air compressor systems, pay attention to the energy ratings. Energy audits conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) suggest that over 50% of compressed air systems at small to medium sized industrial facilities have low cost energy conservation opportunities.

Pressure systems

The compressed air fittings are also a necessary part of the air compressor. If the air compressor that you are using loses too high of an amount of air pressure, it will not work as efficiently. It is normal to experience some amount of lost air pressure, but you want that number to be minimal. Pressure loss in a properly designed system will be less than 10% of the compressor?s discharge pressure, found on a gage on the outlet of the compressor.

Although you are not likely to find any compressed air piping ratings in the air compressor?s manual, you can do your own research and find previous owner?s experiences. This is a valuable way to learn how pressurized that specific air compressor is and how long it tends to last for. You can also research the best air compressor recommendations, the ones that hold the most pressure, for the longest amount of time. It is important to understand, however, that sometimes a reduced pressure amount is user error. Pay attention to qualifications and always look at multiple reviews when deciding.

Necessary attachments

Just as with any other tool, air compressors can come with additional attachments. Some of the attachments include clamps, air fitting tools, and cushion clamps. Your air compressor machine may also come with an air receiver tank. However, just because the air compressor that you are considering does not come with any attachments, it does not mean it is a bad choice. You will simply have to purchase any necessary attachments separately.

If your compressed air system does not have an air receiver tank, for example, add one to buffer short term demand changes and reduce on and off cycling of the compressor. The tank is sized to the power of the compressor. For example, a 50 hp air compressor needs approximately a 50 gallon air receiver tank. There are generally ways around these necessary attachments or ways to combine different ones.

Commercial use versus household use

It is also helpful to pay attention to the intended use of the air compressor. Lower pressure ones may be recommended for household usage, because they will not be used as frequently. Larger and higher pressurized air compressors may be a better fit for industrial and commercial business settings, where they are likely to be used many days in a row, multiple times a day. You will also want to purchase compressor piping systems that are made for industrial usage.

Air compressors are beneficial in many settings. You may use one in your household on minor auto repairs or household renovations. You may also use compressor piping systems in your workplace, fixing high volumes of vehicles or using it alongside heavy machine tools. Your amount of usage, purpose of the air compressor, and the compressor?s individual components are all important parts in deciding which air compressor is right for you.