Preparing Your Compressed Air System For Summer

The summer heat may be fun for those of us that can take a vacation, but likely your compressed air system doesn’t get a break. It is important to make sure your compressor is ready for the increase in temperature that is coming. We have compiled this list of tips to keep your air system up and running efficiently this summer.

Clean Air and Oil Filters

Regular filter changes can maximize longevity and uptime of your compressor. This becomes increasingly important during the hot summer months where dirty filters can cause your compressor to overheat and perform at a much lower efficiency level. It is important to clean oil and air filters and replace them as necessary.

Check Oil

Lubricant is the life blood of your compressor. Heat is the largest factor in lubricant degradation. For example, if you take a lubricant over 190F, the life of it will reduce by 1,000 hours. Varnish not only decreases the oil life, it also increases the energy consumption, wear and operating temperature of the compressor. During the hot summer months, it is more important than ever to check your lubricant and test it for signs of degradation and change it if necessary.

Clean Coolers

Make sure you clean your coolers so that they can function properly, so your compressor doesn’t overheat. Clear out anything that could be blocking it at the beginning of summer and remember to clean coolers consistently throughout the summer.

Clear Drains

The increased humidity of this time of year means that you are going to have more condensate trying to make its way out of your drains. To get ready for this, you need to check your drains, clear them of any blockages and fix any issues with them. Throughout the summer months you should make sure to regularly check your drains to make sure they are working properly so that you don’t have a condensate backup in your drains.

Keep the Compressor Room Cool

Compressor rooms shouldn’t get to an ambient temperature above 100°F. If the ambient temperature is too high, compressors will not run as efficiently and are at risk of overheating. To keep the compressor room cool, there needs to be proper ventilation to allow for cool air to come in and ideally there should be ducting to get the hot air out of the room.

Adjust Water Cooling System

Make sure to adjust the temperature of your compressor’s inlet water when dealing with a water-cooled unit. Monitor your compressor’s temperature levels throughout the summer to see if it requires a lower temperature setting to keep it from overheating.

Perform Maintenance on Treatment Equipment and Receivers

In addition to performing maintenance on the air compressor, the dryer, filters and receiver should be checked for proper operation and efficiency. The high temperature that comes with summer can create problems for these pieces of equipment as well.