What Can an Air Audit Do for You?

When most people hear the word audit, they think of the IRS sifting through years of income tax returns and the agony and sleepless nights that come with it. But that’s certainly not the case with an air audit, which, in reality, is a great opportunity to assess a facility’s electric energy usage and find ways to save you money (and help you sleep better at night).

At Atlas Copco, we provide three basic types of energy monitoring services – Walk the Line, Data Logging (MBOX) and AirScan (which is what most people would refer to as a full audit). These systems provide a range of compressed air system reviews, starting with a free visual check (Walk the Line) which includes a comprehensive 10-point check list that includes a visual inspection of things such as filters, piping structures and condensate drains. Our next level of service, Data Logging, includes service provided in the Walk the Line audits but adds data logging of current Amp use. This allows us to calculate kW use and track periods of peak demand. Our most comprehensive audit level, AirScan, offers a customized diagnostic package for compressed air systems that provides a full-service audit outlining: air measurements over a seven-day cycle, air leak detection and control; air quality audit; maintenance review; and a complete monitoring and control system.

So, what can an air audit do for you? First and foremost, it can show you where energy inefficiencies are and ways that they can be corrected. These include inappropriate energy use (compressed air usage as any application that could otherwise be conducted more efficiently or effectively by an alternative method), energy inefficiencies (not using heat recovery), areas of energy waste (leaks, leaks and more leaks) and any other inadequacies that cost the facility money it could otherwise save.

And beyond identifying problem areas, Atlas Copco works with customers to find opportunities to make operations more efficient and save energy. As a general rule of thumb, the audit should be revenue neutral based on the savings we feel can be identified, and we recommend different levels of service depending on initial checks and conversations with each customer. Unfortunately, we can’t help out with your taxes.