Why is hydrogen difficult to compress?
December 5, 2024
5 min
As summer heats up, so does production. The 4th of July is no exception. The picnics, festivals, cookouts and fireworks all need to ramp up production and delivery to meet the demands of this summer season. We all know with increased production this often brings increased energy consumption resulting in higher utility bills.
Read on for four actionable ways to optimize your air compressor system, just in time for Independence Day. These tips will help you cut energy waste, reduce costs, and keep your operation running smoothly, no fireworks required.
- Check for Leaks and Declare Independence from Waste
Compressed air leaks are more common than many think and they’re more expensive, too. Even a small leak, about the size of a pinhole, can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars a year in lost energy. Multiply that across your entire operation, and the waste can add up fast.
With that in mind, now would be a great time to schedule a leak detection audit or conduct your own inspection using ultrasonic equipment. Prioritizing repairs on hoses, fittings, and valves can help you reclaim lost energy and boost overall system performance without any equipment upgrades.
- Optimize Pressure Settings
Contrary to what you may think, running your system at a higher pressure than needed doesn’t always improve performance but it will almost always increases energy use. For every 2 PSI above what’s required, you could be using 1% more energy than necessary.
It is important to review your application requirements and evaluate where you might be able to reduce set points without compromising output. Small changes in pressure settings can make a noticeable difference in your power bill, especially during a time of year when operations are at full throttle.
- Embrace Smart Controls and Celebrate Freedom with Automation
Smart compressor controls and remote monitoring systems, like SMARTLINK, offer a way to take control of energy use without having to constantly monitor performance in person. With digital dashboards and cloud-based platforms, you can view pressure, temperature, energy consumption, and uptime data from anywhere, even while enjoying your holiday break.
Automated controls also allow your system to adapt in real time to changing demand, ensuring you’re never producing more air than needed. This is not only an amazing way to reduce wear, extend machine life, and lower operational costs.
- Schedule Preventive Maintenance to Stay Ahead, Stay Free
Planned maintenance may not sound exciting and like an additional expense, but it’s one of the most reliable ways to prevent surprise breakdowns costing you valuable production time. The last thing you want is for an unexpected failure to disrupt production during a peak period where every minute the machine is down is costing your business money.
Use the holiday as a reminder to check off routine maintenance tasks such as changing filters, inspecting drains, reviewing oil levels, and checking connections. Scheduling this during slow periods or plant shutdowns minimizes downtime and keeps things running smoothly when it matters most.
Red, White, and Energy-Smart
With these four strategies in place, your compressed air system can work harder and smarter this summer without taking a toll on your energy budget. By staying proactive, you’ll not only reduce costs, but also improve reliability and sustainability across your facility.
Looking for more ways to optimize your air system? Let’s connect because efficiency is worth celebrating all year round.
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