Now that it is officially fall, for many of us in the northern hemisphere that means cooler temperatures and the arrival of snow in the not to distance future. For some the colder months are their favorite time of year, pumpkin spice, hot chocolate, skiing, skating, the holidays.
Now many of us in the north prepare for winter during fall, we put away all the patio furniture, get out our snow blowers to make sure they start and getting tune ups if needed. Some even winterize their vehicles by getting snow tires put on or their houses by putting shrink wrap on the windows. I know this sounds crazy to some, but I swear to you, it saves on the heating bill by helping keep the cold air out.
But your car and house are just some of the things you need to winterize. If you have an air compressor you may also need to winterize it. So, before the temperature drops near or below freezing, there are some simple checks you should be aware of to make sure your production is protected, and you avoid expensive repair bills.
Some key benefits of winterization are:
- Decreased energy bills
- Optimized uptime
- Minimized risk of damage
- Reduced repair costs
Planning for weather changes is critical to maintaining optimized performance. Keep these tips in mind to ensure your air compressor is ready for winter.
- Keep up with regular maintenance – scheduling regular checkups for late spring and late fall will make sure you are prepared for the winter season.
- Inspect insulation for heat leaks – It is important to check your system a couple of times a year for heat leaks. If heat can escape your system, it increases the risk of it freezing.
- Look for condensation – during colder months, air compressor tanks can accumulate moisture which can freeze. Make sure to inspect the air compressor a few times weekly to ensure tanks are not experiencing a buildup.
- Add trace heating if needed – trace heating is a heating element that runs along the outside of the pipework or drain which can prevent the pipes from freezing.
- Check intake openings – In wet weather, make sure to check intake openings to make sure there is adequate protections from increased rain or snow blowing in from outside, which could saturate the air filter of form ice on the air intake.
Investing time in these simple air compressor winterization checks can have long-term advantages in protecting your operations and reducing overhead expenses. If you would like to learn more contact one of our experts today.
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