Blog - Air Compressors

Controlling Your Compressed Air System Costs with an Air Audit

 

Date: December 9, 2019
Author: Amanda Hunter

If you’re a factory owner or facility manager, you already know how critical it is to maximize the efficiency of your compressed air system. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that electricity accounts for over 75% of the total lifecycle cost of an air compressor. Even more surprising, more than half of all industrial compressed air systems are candidates for substantial energy savings with relatively low project investments.

An inefficient or leaky system doesn’t just waste energy—it drains profits. The good news? There’s a proven solution: conducting a compressed air audit.

What is a Compressed Air Audit?

A compressed air audit is a comprehensive assessment of your system’s air usage to identify energy inefficiencies, leaks, and opportunities for cost savings.

There are two main types of air audits:

  1. Supply Side Audit – Focuses on the compressors and dryers themselves, evaluating how well the system produces and conditions compressed air.
  2. Demand Side Audit – Examines how compressed air is used throughout your facility, including distribution, flow, and points of application.

While supply-side audits can highlight some savings, the greatest benefits come from performing both supply and demand side audits. This combined approach provides a full picture of your system’s performance, uncovering hidden inefficiencies that often go unnoticed.

Why You Need a Compressed Air Audit

Performing an air audit on your system with Atmos Compressors can deliver significant savings and efficiency improvements. Key benefits include:

  • Uncovering hidden energy waste – such as air leaks, pressure drops, and improper uses of compressed air.
  • Optimizing system design – identifying if your system or tools are oversized, undersized, or inefficient.
  • Reducing operational costs – by switching from pneumatic to electric tools in certain applications where it makes sense.
  • Improving system reliability – ensuring your compressors and dryers are working in sync with actual demand.

By identifying and fixing these issues, you not only lower energy costs but also extend the life of your Atmos compressors, dryers, and filters.

When Should You Get an Air Audit?

The best times to schedule an air audit for your Atmos compressor system include:

  • When upgrading or changing equipment – Adding, removing, or replacing a compressor or dryer is the perfect time to re-evaluate your system.
  • When shifts or production levels change – For example, if you add a second or third shift, compressed air demand patterns may shift dramatically.
  • Every 3–5 years – Even without major changes, your operations evolve over time. New tools, processes, or orifice changes can alter your air usage, making a regular audit a smart investment.

 

 

 

 

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