Air intake temperature

Where possible air compressors should be situated in cool environments – this reduces energy consumption as cool air is easier to compress. If this is not possible, ducting outside air into the air compressor intake can save you money.

Try to reduce your air intake temperature by as much as possible. When you reduce your air compressor intake temperature by 4°C, you reduce the amount of power needed to run the compressor by 1%.^[1]

Using air storage units (air receivers) and heat recovery units can also assist in reducing costs.

According to Ausgrid, up to 90% of the energy used by a compressor can be lost as heat. Heat recovery units can recover 25-80% of the energy supplied to an air compressor.^[2] This can be utilised for other purposes such as heating water, low-grade space heating or preheating boiler water. Ask an EcoSmart electrician or compressed air expert if this technology can save money in your business.