UK businesses face losing £100m annually due to air leakages
Inarguably, one of the critical aspects at production facilities is the air compressor, and it requires regular servicing to remain functional. Lots of machines rely on compressed air for optimal production, and your company depends on these machines for productivity. When the maintenance culture is indecent, setbacks occur, including downtimes and unnecessarily expensive repairs.
What’s the way forward? Proper air compressor maintenance is the trusted way forward, and it introduces a swift and seamless production experience.
Presently, following the high stakes in place, commercial air compressor maintenance is fast becoming an industry itself. The earlier you embrace the reality, the more money you save annually from air leakage.
How Much Money Your Business Could Be Losing to Air Leakage
Direct Air compiled research showing approximately £100 million loss annually to air leaks in the UK. Globally, you’d imagine the cost it amounts to, which could boost other relevant aspects of businesses instead.
While the air leaks feel like “irrelevant tiny bits”, it increases production expenses. Surprisingly, you could be suffering a £600 loss per year from just one 3mm hole. Bigger holes would mean higher expenses.
Approximately 20-40 percent of generated air in business facilities becomes wastage from air leaks. No thanks to ignorance on the part of manufacturers’ failure to know that poorly managed small air systems can cost the business between £2 and £7 daily.
It would be surprising to some organisations how much they’d save from air leak maintenance. Meanwhile, a recent study estimates the yearly savings from air leaks at £37,000 per business.
Why your business needs air compressor servicing
Apart from a reduction in expenses, you would be enjoying several other benefits when you employ professional air compressor management services.
First, air wastage implies energy waste. Your organisation would be putting out higher carbon levels that air compressor servicing would prevent comfortably. Of course, we just have to proact instead of reacting, which can be expensive, to nurture green of the earth. Air leaks discourage green environments.
Secondly, safety is a major concern, and you want your company to meet operational standards in your jurisdiction. Inarguably, the policy of your company is safety first, but how well are you practising it? Eliminating air leaks is one way, and you must prioritise preventing or fixing air leaks professionally.
Thirdly, apart from saving cost, eliminating air leaks enhances equipment performance, optimising productivity significantly. You should service noiseless compressors regularly with heavy air demand perpetuated by air leaks. At worst, it brings about a reduction in the lifecycle of your compressed air. And you’d find the company budgeting a new compressed air to revive production, which is quite expensive.
How you can spot compressor air leaks
- Ultrasonic Detector
Using an ultrasonic detector is one of the best practices when detecting air leaks. You can buy or hire professionals to check for air leaks effectively, even during business hours. The in-house staff may operate the detector, but hiring a specialist works better.
Ultrasonic detectors, as mentioned above, are effective even during work hours. It does not fail to identify the least broken spots and production continues.
- Listen for Leaky Noise
Your ears can serve to detect air leaks, but the accuracy is low. Run each piece of equipment solely, get closer, and listen for leaky noise. Unfortunately, it does not work during work hours and you would spend longer listening for air leaks unsuccessfully. Finding large leaks is easier; the problem is the tiny leaks you may never hear.
- Pipe Inspection
Physical inspection works on pipes. First, mix water and soap to form lather. Soak a sponge in the mixture and apply it to the pipework on all machines. This method takes time and is not accurate, compared to what professional air compressor services have to offer. If there are air leaks, the lather will form bubbles on the leaking spot.
DIY compressor leak fixes
- Screw Joints
While awaiting air compressor servicing and maintenance providers, you can inspect and fix screw joints. Tighten any loose connection to prevent air leaks, and replace work screws.
- Replace Worn Parts
Your compressor can leak air due to worn parts, even though it’ll still be operational. Make sure to replace worn parts immediately to prevent subsequent expensive damage.
- Repair or Replace Broken Rubber
A broken rubber can instigate an air leak. When you locate a broken rubber, replace it immediately.
- Inspect and Replace Hoses, Pipes, and Tubes
Broken hoses, pipes, and tubes do not spare air leaks. These are common components that when damaged cause massive air leaks, resulting in huge money loss annually.
Conclusion
Considering the disadvantage of leaving the compressed air leaking, you want to employ a professional servicing and maintenance solution to save cost. While pondering over the best air leak service, make sure to follow the tips above to implement minor changes that eliminate air leaks.
Ultimately, maintaining air compressor leaks is always demanding. Moreover, the complexity of your compressor make/model factors in the maintenance frequency and culture.
