How Loud is an Air Compressor?

Causes, Risks and Solutions

The Problem with Air Compressors

If you're reading this, you probably know the usefulness of air compressors. Air compressors are used worldwide to efficiently operate various tools and machinery. Whether gas or electric, air compressors are an essential piece of operation for many industries. One of the only real drawbacks of many air compressor is the noise.

Why Are Air Compressors So Loud?

There are a few factors that make air compressors so loud, but most of the noise can be attributed to friction. Metal hitting or sliding against metal can be loud! Typically, the more moving parts the air compressor has, the louder it may be. This is true in the motor as well, Gaspowered compressors create combustion and have many moving metal parts, therefore they are bound to be louder than electric compressors.

The environment around your compressor can also contribute to the noise. The noises made by your compressor can be amplified by smooth concrete floors and open areas. 

How Is The Noise Measured?

The decibel (dB) is a measurement unit that is frequently used to measure the intensity of sound. The higher the decibel measurement, the louder the noise; but it's not a straightforward scale. A sound of 50dB is going to be more than twice as loud as 25dB noise. This increase continues along the scale. The below image provides some example of this.

What If I Had a Compressor Room?

It is fairly common for a medium-to-large business to use a compressor room. It is a way to streamline installation, connectivity and future expansion. While it will keep the noise in one spot, it will not eliminate the noise. When it comes to the maintenance on one of the compressors, the noise of the others will be deafening unless you shut them all down.

Dangers of Loud Equipment

Most air compressors operate from 40dB to 100dB, this is a large range (roughly a quiet office to a lawnmower). The possible effects of loud compressors include:

How Can I Protect Myself From Loud Noises?

While all these problems are significant, the most dangerous problems are the potential health issues that can be caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises. It is recommended for people around noises above 85dB to wear hearing protection. As we have already established, many air compressors are in that range and even higher.

What Could Happen If I Am Exposed to Loud Noises?

If company noise safety policies are loose or not enforced, employees who are around loud compressors for a lengthy amount of time could develop noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). NIHL can be caused by prolonged exposure to regular loud noises or singular exposures to extremely loud noises. Another hearing issue is tinnitus. Tinnitus is also caused by loud noises and causes a persistent ringing in your ears. It has the potential to get nad enough that you cannot hear past the ringing.

Even if your business is not loud enough to cause hearing damage, it could negatively affect your business. Many small businesses operate with limited space due to cost restictions, which means face to face customer interactions or phone calls may take place near a compressor. Conversations could be interrupted by compressors switching on and could potentially make your business seem less professional.

How To Lower the Volume

Luckily, covering your ears is not the only solution to the noise problem. Air Compressors have evolved since they were first introduced and not all of them are the noise machines that we are used to. As mentioned earlier, some air compressors have the capability to run as quietly as 40dB, which is like the ambient noise of a library. This volume won't hurt your ears or distract you from work.

Do Quiet Air Compressors Exist?

Low volume air compression is possible with our range of compressors.  Our screw compressors have been designed to provide constant airflow while also running at a much lower volume than traditional piston compressors. The rotary screw element eliminates a multitude of moving parts, making these models quiet and efficient. They also feature castings that cover all of the workings, which dampens the sound significantly. 

Get Help With The Noise

Contact us today  learn more about how to quiet your environment by switching to an Ash Air recommended compressor. We're here to answer your questions and connect you to an expert in your area who can come to your facility and assess your specific needs.


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Who we are and how Ash Air can help your business!

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!

  • Rotary Screw and Piston Air Compressors
  • Vacuum Pumps and Blowers
  • Nitrogen Generation
  • An extensive line of Air Treatment components
  • AIRnet Piping System and  Filtration
  • Mobile Compressors, Generators, and Light Towers

Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, ALUP, Pneumatech, and Atlas Copco products 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 with nationwide coverage, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air, vacuum pump, and industrial gas equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.

Reliability and Efficiency

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

  • Increasing uptime
  • Reducing unexpected repairs
  • Reducing energy consumption and meeting our sustainability goals
  • Improving the cleanliness of compressed air


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