Spring into Spring with Compressor Maintenance

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in 2017 and has been completely updated for accuracy, comprehensiveness, and new information.

Spring has officially arrived, which means it’s time for spring cleaning to begin! Much like your home needs a deep clean, your compressed air system should also undergo spring cleaning to ensure everything is operating efficiently. A well-maintained compressor performs better and runs longer than one that is neglected.

Consider these five suggestions when performing spring air compressor maintenance:

Monitor Compressor Temperatures. Compressors generate a lot of heat. With spring having unpredictable temperature fluctuations, it’s essential to monitor temperatures closely to avoid overheated units and costly downtime.

Get ready for increased humidity. Speaking of hotter temperatures, with increased temperatures comes increased humidity. When air is warmer, it’s capable of holding more water vapor. As air is compressed and cooled, that moisture condenses, turning back into liquid water. If water gets in your system, it can lead to a myriad of problems. Prepare by making sure your condensate traps, drains and dryers are all working at peak performance.

Make sure your compressor room is ventilated.  Spring can be hot, and warm temperatures can be exacerbated by compressor heat byproduct. If a compressor is in an enclosed room without proper cooling or ventilation, the machine might overheat; this leads to unnecessary and costly downtime. If you have a compressor room, make sure that it’s ventilated properly. This can help prevent unnecessary shutdowns or downtimes to keep your operation buzzing throughout the spring.

Monitor your filters. With spring comes pollen – lots and lots of pollen. It aggravates our noses, and compressors don’t like it either. When compressors take in ambient air, they also get all the particulates floating around. In the spring, increased allergens means filters will be working hard to remove contaminants from the compressed air supply. The best way to know if your filters need to be changed is by sticking to a preventative maintenance schedule. If you aren’t, be on the lookout for unusual pressure drops; they could indicate clogged filters.

Establish a Preventative Maintenance Schedule. Regularly scheduled maintenance helps keep your compressors running in tip-top shape, no matter the season! Explore our preventative maintenance plans.

Because your air compressor and its ancillaries are an essential part of day-to-day operations, maintenance during the spring months isn’t something that can (or should!) be overlooked. If the other items on your to-do list take precedence, simply reach out to Atlas Copco. We’ll be happy to assist and make sure that your compressor is ready to spring into spring!