Editor's Note: This post was originally published in 2014 and has been updated for accuracy, comprehensiveness, and new information.
If compressed air is an essential part of your day to day business operations, and downtime would cost you considerably in lost production, then the question of whether to repair or replace a broken compressor is a particularly important one for you. But while opting to repair your compressor might seem to be a more cost-efficient option than purchasing a new compressor, it may not be the most cost-effective choice in the long term.
Prior to making your decision, let’s look at a few factors. Cost is the primary consideration, both immediate and over time. While a new compressor can be expensive, it’s worth noting that when you take the cost of ownership over a ten-year life span into account, the actual purchase price of the new compressor is only around 10% of the overall cost. In fact, the cost of actually running the compressor – your electricity bill! – is by far the major expense (around 75%).
Other factors that will influence your decision on whether you should repair or replace your compressor include the age of the compressor; its energy efficiency compared with newer models; and its former repair history and overall reliability.
Before choosing to do away with your existing compressor, it’s a wise move to first check the system over thoroughly, just in case the breakdown is due to something that can be easily fixed. Your compressor may have broken down for any number of reasons, and not all of them indicate irreparable damage or repair issues! This is something your local compressed air Service Technician can certainly assist with.
Some factors that weigh more for repairing your compressor include:
On the other hand, replacing your compressor may be the most viable solution in circumstances like:
Yes, new air compressors may seem to carry a hefty price tag at first. But when factoring in energy savings, possible energy credits from your electricity provider, increased reliability, and decreased maintenance costs, the payback time is often shorter than you think. Initial cost also doesn’t take into account the potential devastating costs down the road that are associated with downtime due to compressor shutdowns.
Calculating the life cycle cost of the air compressor prior to purchasing new equipment is a smart way to analyze the total investment. Plus, a life cycle cost evaluation can also be used as a comparison tool when vetting other products and systems; to help define other important requirements for the installation and help assess potential environmental, energy-saving and increased production quality demands; and to reveal areas where energy efficiency can be improved.
We get it - making the choice between repairing and replacing a compressor is tough. That's why our compressed air experts are always ready to walk you through the pros and cons of repairing or replacing your current compressor system. Give us a shout! www.atlascopco.com/air-usa