5 Tips to Save Energy on Your Compressed Air Installation

Did you know that 70% of the total cost of a compressor installation consists of energy costs? This is something to consider when working out your compressed air budget. Below we have provided tips on how to save on energy costs while taking the environment into account. We are your partners in compressed air and ensure you are provided with all the compressed air knowledge available. 


Tip 1: The Right Pressure!


Tip 2: Use Energy Recovery

A lot of heat is created during the compression of air in your compressed air system. Efficient recycling of the heat produced by your compressor can save you a lot of money. By using a heat exchanger, the residual heat can be used for, for example, heating up steam boilers, process water or even your central heating system. By using energy recovery you can save up to 80% of the installed capacity in energy. 

Tip 3: Provide Central Compressor Control

Your compressed air installation is optimally used by a central compressor control. The control ensures the correct combination of compressors are used and the correct setting of the system pressure. This makes optimal use of the machines at your locating and can prevent unnecessary use of compressed air.


Tip 4: Prevent and Repair Leaks

A compressed air leak of 3mm at a pressure of 7 bar will quickly cost you €1300 per year. The higher the pressure, the higher the air loss and the higher your costs. By replacing old and bad couplings and hoses, or worn seals you can prevent energe losses. A solid and reliable compressed air line network ensures distribution of compressed air to the end user without pressure drop and leaks. In addition, periodically checking your compressed air system by using ultasonic leak detection can ensure rapid detection of leaks and save energy. Have your compressed air installation regularly checked for leaks and prevent unnecessary loss of compressed air.

Tip 5: Maintain Your Compressor Correctly

By properly maintaining your compressed air installation, the system remains in optimal condition and you prevent energy loss. Using genuine parts made for the specific application in your compressor ensures correct operation and maximum energy efficiency. A compressor that works correctly is the most efficient for your wallet.

Investing in Sustainability
If you invest in energy-efficient compressed air, you are eligible for an energy investment allowance (EIA), with an average tax benefit of 13.5%. In addition, energy-efficient investments provide you with significant cost savings due to a lower energy bill. Our advisers are happy to carry out a compressed air measurement at your location to map out your potential energy savings.




Who we are and how we can help!

Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a reputation for quality and reliability.

We look after all things compressed air for your business!

Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, Alup, Pneumatech, and Quincy compressors are used extensively around the world in industries ranging from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world class compressors here in the land of the long white cloud.

Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported by a 13 locations nationwide, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.

Reliability and Efficiency

With Ash Air compressors, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our efforts on the following:

Extensive Product Line

We offer a broad array of products, from world class compressor brands, including a full range of rotary and reciprocating air compressors from ½ to 200 horsepower. We serve the compressed air needs of many industries such as the following:

Solutions

In our effort to prioritise the needs of our customers, we work hard to provide solutions. We continually introduce innovative products here at Ash Air to our Kiwi customers, so our end users can rely on us to meet evolving compressed air needs.

Support

We offer an extensive array of air compressor parts and services through our direct locations throughout New Zealand. Continued growth means our operations continue to operate on a national level.

In our effort to provide the best possible support, we offer the following remote monitoring, preventative maintenance, vacuum pump services and overhaul, compressor and pipework installations, hire fleet and leasing solutions, leak detection's and energy audits, and breakdown recovery and emergency air.

When considering new energy-efficient air compressors or an upgrade to more energy-efficient machinery, Ash Air can help you make the right choices for your business.

Read more from #expert corner!


Just like any other equipment, a compressed air installation also requires the necessary maintenance work during its entire lifespan. Even though maintenance costs are only about 5 to 10% of a machine's annual operating costs, failure to budget for maintenance can have potentially disastrous consequences. …


The air dyer is one of the most ignored cooler in the system. A dirty condenser will cause water in the lines, or worse it will cause complete dryer failure. …


Using nitrogen is not about fully replacing CO2, but it can reduce their consumption of CO2 by close to 70%. Using nitrogen is about sustainability. Creating your own nitrogen is easy and will reduce the use of a greenhouse gas, which is better for the environment. It will also save you money as early as month one adding that savings to your bottom line. …


A question that is occasionally asked by our customers to Ash Air is 'what is the cost of compressed air?'  This article looks at the product costs involved with compressed air, as well as minimising the energy cost of compressors and cost allocation. When looking at these factors, we need to realise what causes dropped efficiency of your compressor, leading to increased costs of compressed air. …


You may have great fall protection measures in place to keep employees safe when working at height, but what about their co-workers below? Dropped tools and other falling objects are a major hazard – and one that isn’t always fully addressed.  …


Providing a safe working environment for operators is essential, especially when using pneumatic tools and compressed air. If there is a failure in the air network and the hose is not adequately clamped, the resulting whiplash could be devastating. Failure to follow best practice can result in injuries, associated production downtime and decreased productivity. …


A common questions asked is why do I need an air dryer for my compressor? Typically, air compressors produce water, and although the water can be drained, there can still be aerosol and vapour droplets that are present. This is because water cannoet be compressed. Water can damage your compressor by corroding the valves, pipes and machinery controls, which will cost you time and money to resolve. In the long run, the cost of a new compressor is a small price to pay compared to the loss of production that could potentially arise due to water damage in your compressor.





…


Air compressors can fail for an assortment of different reasons: Normal wear and tear, lifespan and age of the unit, poor maintenance, power surge, install issues are just a few the come to mind. Check out this blog to find out our top 7 tips to ensure your compressor is looked after!  …


That cold, rainy, and in some places icey New Zealand winter is upon us, and with the following air compressor tips, your air system will be prepared with the preferred temperatures, despite the weather outside. Regardless of whether or not it actually snows or freezes up where you live, most winterisation service recommendations are also basic, solid maintenance procedures that will help extend the life and operational efficiencies of air compressors regardless of whether you live in Queenstown or Northland. …


If you're wondering what an air compressor actually is, you've come to the right place. Simply, air compressors convert power in to air that is pressurised which is then used to power air tools such as spray guns. Air compressors are used in a wide range of applications, so naturally if you want one that will be designed for spray painting your vehicle, you want a compressor specifically made for spray guns! This way your compressor will be able to provide the right amount of power to perform the job. …


Compressed air plays a fundamental role in industrial activities. Depending on the type of application, the energy cost of producing compressed air can be very high. Below are some tips to save on you compressor bill. …


Air Compressors are essential tools in a variety of industrial settings. No matter what industry you are in having a reliable air compressor can be a crucial part of getting the job done efficiently. However, like an investment, air compressors require upkeep and maintenance, and eventually will need to be upgraded. But how do you know when it’s time to upgrade your air compressor? Here are some things you need to consider. …


When it comes to laser cutting and other industrial processes, the choice of assist gas is crucial in achieving optimal results. Nitrogen and oxygen are commonly utilized as assist gases, each with its own unique properties and applications. Understanding the characteristics of both gases, will help you to make an informed decision to ensure precision, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in your operations. …


Mobile air compressors are portable, towable compressors particularly useful for applications that suit the construction and roading industry! You'll often see a mobile compressor being used for sandblasting, irrigation blow-outs, and for quarrying tools such as pneumatic block cutters and rock drills.   …


Did you know that Chicago Pneumatic helped man land on the moon? Notice in this photo of the Apollo 11 landing what appear to be "soccer balls" on top of the capsule. They were inflated through a compressor specially developed by Chicago Pneumatic for NASA. …


Your company purchased an air dryer for your compressor, now where should you install it? One of the most common things we see in the industry are air dryers being stored on top of the compressors. Seems like a wasted space not being used on top of the compressor, right? Wrong. …


When using air compressors, there are many variables that are integral to the quality and effectiveness of your compressed air. When dryer air is necessary, being able to constantly and accurately monitor dew points can be a critical factor to your operation. …


Compressed air plays an integral role in breweries both large and small around the world. From start to finish, all details in the brewing process are managed in fine detail and having the right air compressor is no exception. …


We Kiwi's love our Coffee! Coffee, like all other food & beverage products, must go through a preservation process to keep the beans fresh during storage and packaging before they reach the consumer. Coffee that is not properly stored after it is roasted will lose a large amount of carbon dioxide, which lessens its' flavor and speeds up the staling process. One of the most common ways to preserve the freshness of coffee is the use of nitrogen gas. Learn more here: …


Air compressors are helpful for an enormous range of applications such as air filling, packaging, tools, HVAC control, and more! One possible drawback is the amount of electricity they use; air compressors can be a huge drain on energy if used ​inefficiency...  …


We get it, buying an air compressor is a big financial decision. And now we are suggesting that you need two air compressors, not just one. Ask yourself one question- Can your business still run if your air compressor goes down? …


It’s no secret – air compressors are excellent sources of energy. Not only do they power essential manufacturing elements and applications, but the heat generated as a result of the compressed air processes can be used as a byproduct that offsets other energy costs. However, there’s another form of energy that is also a consequence of the air compression process – sound. …


The emergency stop, "e-stop", is for true emergency situations only. When hitting the e-stop, all power is halted from the machine and the unload process isn't achieved. The emergency stop button is intended to help with possibly hazardous situations that are developing. Common conditions of having to use the e-stop is the misuse of the equipment in ways that weren’t intended, predictable failures not addressed or failing to consider all the foreseeable uses of the compressor.
…

Show More