Choosing the Right Air Compressor
When looking for air compressors for sale, it can be overwhelming looking at the wide range of options available, especially if you’re a first-time purchaser. Between petrol, diesel, electric, hydraulic and under bonnet systems available in a range of different sizes and powers, it can be useful to do your research. Luckily, your selection can be really easy to narrow down as most air compressors are designed for specific uses. If you know exactly what you plan on using your compressor for it’s much easier to make a choice.
Below is a guide on choosing the right air compressor so that you can find the perfect one for you.
What are You Using It for?
The first thing you need to determine before even narrowing down your air compressor options is what you plan on using your air compressor for. If you’re planning on using your compressor for light work such as pumping car tyres or blowing up inflatable objects, you won’t need a high-power air compressor and can save money buying a smaller machine.
To determine which air compressor is going to be suitable, look at the pressure (PSI) and volume (CFM) requirements of the tools you’ll be using the air compressor for that your work efficiency can be optimised. You always want to aim to choose a compressor that matches the most powerful tool you have, as pressure and volume can be adjusted down for less powerful tools but you cannot produce higher pressure or volume than what it’s designed to do.
Where are You Using It?
Something else to consider when choosing your air compressor is where you’ll be using it. If you’re using an air compressor on a residential construction site, you may need to be aware of the noise level of your air compressor and if it will disrupt the peace of the neighbourhood. In addition, other workplaces, mining and construction sites often have compliance standards whereby decibel ratings, safety ratings and fuel type must be adhered to.
Luckily, there are plenty of air compressor types that are specifically designed to meet these standards. Some manufacturers can work with you to soundproof and build a silent air compressor. Therefore, when shopping for an air compressor, it’s helpful to have these compliance standards handy.
Don’t Compromise on Quality
While it can be tempting to choose the cheap option when shopping for an expensive machine like an air compressor, it’s important to always prioritise your requirements above cost. Many of the cheaper air compressor options are suited to occasional, lighter use; therefore, if you’re planning on using yours every day for high power machinery a cheap option is not going to cut it. Additionally, some cheaper machines are actually higher maintenance, and frequent maintenance may not suit some busy workplaces. It is highly recommended that you carefully weigh up all your options before making the decision to go for a cheaper option.
Seek Professional Help
Finally, one of the smartest decisions you can make to ensure you’re choosing the right air compressor is to engage with a professional. Air compressor experts are passionate about their field and are here to help you choose the right machine. They’ll be able to offer expert advice based on their extensive knowledge of each machine and make recommendations based off customer feedback. Contrary to what some people believe, they won’t just try and sell you the most expensive option but will truly take into consideration your specifications and needs.
