With decades of experience designing energy-efficient air compressors, we understand the true cost of compressed air. How long you run your air compressor and the cost of electricity in your area both can drive up cost. Because the cost of compressed air can be significant, Quincy Compressors offers a free walkthrough to establish a baseline of efficiency, otherwise known as EQ. The EQ rating can help you determine what the cost of operating a compressor will be.
We’ll explain the basics of how an air compressor works, how to make sure your air compressor is as efficient as possible, and what to look for when purchasing an air compressor for your needs. If you don’t already own your air compressor and are trying to calculate the operating costs of using an air compressor, you might wonder how long the air compressor will run while you’re using it. The volume of air can be calculated from Boyle’s Law, which states the Volume of Air at atmospheric pressure = the volume of compressed air x the pressure of the air divided by the atmospheric pressure.
Adjusted for these values, we still need 13.5 HP electrical input to generate the required compressed air of 68 CFM at 80 psi Or, we could have used the following Rule of thumb: Air compressors deliver 4 to 5 CFM per HP input power In metric units: Air compressor deliver 2.5 to 3.2 l/s per kW input power Using this rule of thumb, we come to about the same values, so this rule of thumb should be about right. Compressed air motor: Electrical motor: 10.1 kW x 2080 hrs x $0.05 = $1050 1.7 kW x 2080 hrs x $0.05 kWh = $104 The compressed air motor costs of a whooping $1050 per year to operate, compare to only $104 for the electric motor, which is about 10 times more expensive! Consider the energy cost of compressed air Next time you buy a power tool or design a machine. Considering the potential energy savings, sometimes it’s worth thinking about an alternative! For example, the above compressed air motor costs around $1.000, the electric motor around $420. And that compressor sets you back about $10.000 10 years of use After 10 years, the electric options would have cost you 420 + = $1460 The compressed air options would have cost you $10.000 + $1000 + = $21.500 Compressed air motor: Electrical motor: Total cost after one year: $21.500 Total cost after one year: $1460 Even if we would need to spend a thousand or 2 on electrical cables, cabinet and motor starter for the electric motor option, it would still be way cheaper!
Air compressors support many industries, from small auto shops powered by reciprocating compressors to large-scale vertically integrated textile units powered by high volume centrifugal compressors. Air audits determine the actual air demand and evaluate the efficiency of use of compressed air in an operation. Image 4 is an example of a summary air audit report that shows a textile operation’s before and after energy cost following an air audit.
A good quality, fully loaded, air-cooled, lubricated rotary-screw compressor consumes about 16.5 kW of power to produce 100 cfm of compressed air at 100 psi. Refrigerated air drying of this air costs another 0.5 kW/100 cfm. Smaller air nailers run on 2 to 5 CFM at 70 to 90 PSI, while larger shears, air sanders require up to 10 or more CFM and 100 to 120 PSI..
Air is frequently regarded as “Free”, but running an air compressor can often be highly expensive. In this article we look at some of the costs involved in using air compressors and the inefficiencies of using air-powered equipment. The annual electricity needed to supply compressed air to a 0.5 HP pneumatic tool consuming an average of 20.7 cfm of air is 1320 kWh/year.
does an air compressor use a lot of electricity Related Question:
How much electricity does an air compressor use?
Heavy-duty compressors operate on 220-volt current and require special wiring and outlets. A 110-volt compressor drawing 15 amps uses 1,650 watts (110 volts x 15 amps), while a 220-volt compressor drawing 15 amps consumes 3,300 watts (220 volts x 15 amps).
Should I leave my air compressor plugged in?
With so much air under so much pressure, can you leave an air compressor full? The short answer is yes, it is perfectly safe to leave an air compressor full. So while under regular duty cycles, a full air compressor is standard, but during extended non-use, an air compressor should be drained and deactivated.
How much does it cost to compress air?
Compressed air is an on-site generated utility. Very often, the cost of generation is not known; however, some companies use a value of 18-30 cents per 1,000 cubic feet of air.
Why are air compressors so expensive?
Compressed air is 8-times more expensive than electricity: It takes a large amount of energy to compress air and most of that energy disperses as heat.
How efficient is an air compressor?
Air compressors operate at about 10 percent efficiency — you lose most of the energy to heat. By using a heat recovery system, you can recover nearly all of the lost power and use it for warming your workspace or other applications.
What happens if you leave an air compressor on all night?
Part Failure Should a seal or hose fail at any point in the night, your compressor will run nonstop to try and fill an open tank. If your compressor runs all night without stopping because of a hose split, the risk of a catastrophic motor failure goes up significantly.
How often should an air compressor be drained?
It is recommended that you drain your tank daily, whether it is manually or automatically. Water build up in your tank can cause the bottom of your tank to rust forcing you to invest in a new tank. If you find yourself forget about draining your tank, you should look into purchasing an electronic drain valve.
Do air compressor tanks explode?
Yes, air compressors can blow up. Air compressor explosions are most commonly caused by substantial corrosion of the compressor tank. Excessive condensation leads to corrosion, and you can avoid this outcome by monitoring and servicing the compressor and its auxiliary components.
What is the cost for 1 CFM compressed air?
Cost of 1 KWH is @ Rs. 5.00. So, power cost of 1 cu. Ft. is @ 2 paise, or 0.02 Rupees.
Which is most efficient compressor?
Compressor Size A rotary screw compressor is most efficient when running in a 100 percent loaded condition. (Loaded, means the compressor is producing air; while unloaded means the compressor remains idle.) A compressor will continuously load when its air production capacity matches the air requirement.
What are the losses in a compressor?
At the inlet of the compressor, major losses occur due to the formation of eddy’s, turbulence, and friction. Since the entry of fluid in a centrifugal compressor is axially then suddenly fluid is being directed to radially towards blades and due to this off-design condition incidence losses occur.
How much does a new AC compressor cost?
According to data by HomeGuide, the average cost to replace a home air conditioner compressor is about $600 to $1,200 under warranty, or $1,300 to $2,500 when it’s not under warranty. Many HVAC contractors charge $100 to $150 per hour plus the cost of parts to repair a home AC compressor.
Do air compressors refill themselves?
Every time you use your power tool, the tank’s pressure will drop as that compressed air goes through the hose to your tool. When the pressure in the tank drops too low, the compressor will kick back on, refilling the tank.
How much does a small air compressor cost?
A portable air compressor with 1 to 2 HP, a 15 to 30 gallon tank, and 120 to 200 PSI output has an average cost between $250 and $500. A portable air compressor with a 6.5 HP gas engine, a 10 gallon tank, and 135 PSI output has an average cost between $750 and $1,250.
What is the benefit of air compressor?
An air compressor can also function at high temperatures and in locations where explosions and fire hazards restrict other forms of energy. Air can be generated on site, so there’s more control over usage and air quality. Also, air compressors can run tools and equipment that generate more power than normal tools.
