It is important to keep your air compressor in good condition to make it run efficiently and prolong its life. Reading the manual that comes with your air compressor is a good place to start. This will include essential maintenance advice to keep that particular machine in good working condition.

Drain any moisture from the tanks that builds up from the air compression as it can cause damage to the air compressor. The build up of dirt and dust can also cause problems on certain elements of the machine and make it work harder than necessary. Eventually the compressor will cease to operate from because of the pressure caused. Make sure that the intake vents, filters, separator element and heat exchangers are regularly cleaned or changed; whatever is appropriate. The hoses are susceptible to cracking and corrosion so check for leaks as this wastes energy as well as puts other components under stress. The fuel tank will also require cleaning annually to remove any residual build up from the fuel.

Continuous vibrations when the air compressor is running will inevitably loosen fastenings so tighten these up frequently. If you air compressor has a built-in emergency shutdown system to prevent it overheating or if the oil supply is low, then test it to make sure it still works. Check and top-up the oil and change the whole supply every 500 to 1000 hours.

By undertaking these checks regularly will save you time and money in the long run. Your air compressor will run more efficiently and cost-effectively.

To get the most out of your pneumatic tools you need to purchase the right size air compressor. When it comes to choosing the size of an air compressor, horsepower is irrelevant. In order for your air compressor to operate efficiently you need to consider the volume of CFM (cubic feet per minute) and the pressure (PSIG).

Add together the CFM requirements of all of your air tools plus another 25% to allow for any additional tools that you may use is the future, along with growth and any air system leaks. The CFM requirements are provided by the manufacturer of each air tool.

Establish the maximum amount of pressure that is needed to run all of the air tools concurrently by the tool that requires the largest amount.

Determine whether the electrical supply is single or three-phase. Residential and commercial buildings tend to be single whereas industrial are usually three-phase.

Air receivers – or storage tanks – collect and store air which minimises the air compressor’s loaded run time. Air receivers should be used with smaller air compressors and get five gallons per CFM to achieve optimum performance.