An air compressor is likely to be one of the biggest investments in your business, so keeping it in full working order is essential. Keeping your air compressor running smoothly and efficiently for as long as possible is the key to maximising its longevity and reducing its lifetime costs. This can only be achieved with an effective air compressor maintenance schedule.
Importance of air compressor maintenance
Effective air compressor maintenance means that you are more likely to discover issues with your air compressor before performance is affected, or the issue becomes a more expensive problem to repair. Missing regular maintenance may initially seem to save money in labour and time, but in the long run, systems lag and eventually break down. Some key indicators that a compressor is not running optimally are that they use more energy, don’t retain pressure for long enough and do not reach optimum pressure. These signs could point to clogged filters, overheating or even ice inside the machine.
This will, ultimately, cost more to repair than any savings made by infrequent maintenance. In this blog, we are going to make the ultimate preventative maintenance checklist that all air compressor users should follow.
Air compressor maintenance checklist
There are a number of factors to consider when carrying out air compressor maintenance. As experts in air compressors, we’ve compiled a checklist of the most important aspects of maintenance to help you with your checks.
- Ambient
- Cooling water
- Gauges and controls
- Inlet filter
- Lubrication
- Keep it covered
- Valve maintenance
- Warranty and Insurance
- Environment
Ambient
The Ambient, or surrounding atmosphere, needs to remain as clean as possible to ensure no debris or contaminants can enter the air compressor system. The room needs to be well-ventilated to ensure that the air compressor does not overheat.
Cooling water
If required, a good clean supply of water with a regulated temperature and controlled pressure is essential.
Gauges and controls
All gauges and controls need checking and calibrating regularly. Instruments can be easily affected by moisture and other contaminants, affecting readings. Checking temperatures and pressures is paramount in air compressor maintenance.
Inlet filter
The inlet filter needs regular cleaning and checking. An unclean filter increases wear on the components of the compressed air system. The inlet filter also acts as a silencer so a leaking intake can cause system contamination. That can lead to extensive damage to the air compressor system. The filter must be changed at the recommended intervals.
Lubrication
The oil in the compressor is important as it serves three functions. It lubricates the air end, helps clean the compressed air and seals the air end for efficient running. To keep a reliable compressor it is imperative to change the oil and oil filter regularly. Otherwise, at best, you will have an inefficient compressor and, at worst, you will suffer an expensive mechanical failure if the oil goes beyond its working life and breaks down.
Keep it covered
Keeping the compressor clean is vital to keep it running without issues. Dust is the compressor’s worst enemy. Cleaning dust with an air gun should be done regularly. When the compressor is not in use, it should be covered.
Valve maintenance
In a compressor, there are many valves that need to be maintained. Otherwise the compressor performance will deteriorate. In your checklist, you must make sure you have a regular schedule of cleaning and checking the valves.
Warranty and Insurance
The safety of an air compressor system cannot be ensured if it is not serviced. Compressors come under pressure systems regulations and all insurers will require the compressors to be maintained to keep company insurance valid.
Environment
There is also an environmental risk of oil leaks if the compressor, condensate and drains are not maintained. If you have a compressor oil leak that goes unnoticed, oil will be discharged onto the floor and possibly into an unsuitable drain.
Glaston Compressor Services
At Glaston, we’ve been providing compressor services for over 40 years. From the design to the installation of a tailored compressed air system, we can provide you with a thorough air compressor maintenance checklist to keep your air compressor running to its full potential and prolong its lifetime.
Our team of highly qualified and experienced service engineers always strives to provide our clients with the most cost-effective solution, considering your compressed air requirements and the energy efficiency ratings.
We can offer many different compressor services alongside compressed air maintenance. We deliver the complete compressed air package, from compressed air filtration to compressed air dryers and compressed air treatment. We can also install nitrogen generators and have installed many compressor systems in companies across various different industries.
For more information about our air compressor services, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
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