How to choose the perfect air compressor

By Juan Alvarez .
Air compressor expert

Talking too much about air compressors can get complicated. Let's keep it simple .

When you think about it, air compressors are everywhere, from the garage to your dentist's office, from large factories to even your local car wash. This is because they are reliable and make difficult jobs easier.

Every year we discover more uses for air compressors. As soon as you put one to work, you'll feel its impact on your time and energy immediately. In this guide, we'll give you the confidence to choose the right tool for the right job and get back to what matters most.

Air Basics

A compressor works by drawing in surrounding air continuously and mechanically squeezing it through internally moving components and into a usable force to power air tools. Once the maximum air pressure ( PSI ) is reached, the duty cycle is completed.

The total volume of air a compressor can generate is measured in cubic feet per minute ( CFM ), and this is often the most important factor in choosing the right one to power all of your tools. There are many types, but the most common types are listed below.

Right tool - right job

We all know that for every job there is a right (and wrong) tool to use. Air compressors would be useless without the air machines and tools they power, but with so many applications, choosing the right air compressor can be difficult. Asking yourself the right questions from the beginning, such as " what will the compressor be used for ", " where will it be installed ", and " how much power do I need" are great places to start.

This next section is broken down by the type of user and the common applications they have, and each has its own detailed guide to help you discover the perfect compressor for you.

For homeowners

Owning a small compressor means always being ready for whatever life throws at you. It means never having a flat tire again. It's the satisfaction of knowing that you fixed something yourself like a professional. It's easier than you think to improve the value of your home with the help of an air compressor.

Whether it's fixing your sagging deck or replacing old trim boards, you can save thousands in one afternoon. on basic repairs and finishing projects just like the professionals . All you need to know is how your compressor and tools work and suddenly your boring "fix list" becomes instantly easier and even a little fun, too.

For the freedom of being the weekend warrior or the experienced do-it-yourselfer, getting a larger single-stage air compressor or upgrading to a professional model works best. Larger tanks and more power mean more capacity when it comes to woodworking in the garage, re-siding the house, building a shed, or doing other advanced home improvement projects on your own.

How to Choose the Perfect Compressor for Homeowners

For professionals

For contractors and commercial business owners, there is no second best. You already know that the right air compressor not only powers your workshop or job site, but also saves you money by working as hard and as long as you do.

We're talking about the air compressors that make building dozens of covers, painting hundreds of cars, or changing thousands of truck tires each year a breeze.

Professional grade air compressors are built to withstand the rigors of any job site and are designed to be durable and portable wherever you need it.

To run your business efficiently, you know it's best to measure twice and cut once. You won't find the same air system in a dentist's office as you will in a tire store. You owe it to yourself and your business to ask the right questions before you buy.

How to Choose the Perfect Contractor Air Compressor

For manufacturers

In an ever-changing economy, factories and entire industries rely heavily on industrial-grade air compressors to keep up with ever-changing demands. Choosing the right system will drive success by keeping production moving and efficiency at its highest.

It's no secret that these air compressor systems are the most powerful in the field, and with serious power comes serious investment, so knowing the critical information will arm you to make the decision that makes the most sense for you and your company.

It's also important to consider your growing business. Your air demands today could double in five years, and your air system should be able to accommodate that growth.

Decisions regarding environment, location, pump lubrication, CFM, 1 or 3 phase power requirements, air treatments, air dryers, line filters, regulators are essential for a proper fit. While undersizing a compressor is bad business, remember that oversizing your system can also cost you wasted electricity. That's where VSD technology becomes increasingly important.

The options for commercially operated air compressors are extensive and even include custom builds for unconventional applications. To keep things simple, this guide is specifically geared toward commercial/industrial applications.

How to Choose the Perfect Commercial Air Compressor

Types of air compressors

Knowing the basic mechanics behind how something works isn't just for engineers; everyone benefits from understanding technology.

Reciprocating/reciprocating piston

Reciprocating piston compressors are the most widely used. Like your car's engine, an internal crankshaft drives pistons inside the cylinders in a back-and-forth motion, creating a vacuum that draws in air when it retracts and pushes air into a tank when it extends.

Because the internal components touch, these compressors create friction and run hotter and stronger than other types of air compressors; However, newer technology such as oil-free and dual-piston compressors reduce the overheating and noise associated with piston-type compressors.

Rotary

The trusted workhorses of the automotive industry, rotary screw technology was introduced for heavy-duty applications requiring high power for extended periods. Just like a supercharged hot rod, these superchargers are ideal for maximizing air intake and maximizing payout. As air enters the sealed chamber, it is compressed between two rotating male and female screws (helically opposed).

They reduce the volume of trapped air and deliver it compressed, at the appropriate pressure level. Unlike reciprocating piston compressors, rotating screw rotors are non-touching and have fewer moving parts, and because they are oil sealed, they require much less maintenance over time.

Scroll

Scroll compressors use two spiral-shaped circular pieces that rotate around each other to compress air. One scroll is fixed in place and does not move, and the other fits inside the stationary scroll and moves in a tight circular motion without rotating.

Scroll compressor technology is all around us. They are found in a wide range of applications, from refrigeration to electronics manufacturing, and even turbos in high-efficiency vehicles.

Additionally, these compressors are capable of producing the cleanest industry standard air in accordance with ISO standards. These ratings make them ideal for use in the electronics, pharmaceutical, dental and food industries due to their 100% oil-free and silent operation.

air compressor technology

Although the concept of mechanically compressed air has been around for over a hundred years, over the past fifty years air compressor technology has evolved rapidly to keep up with the ever-changing needs and uses of compressed air.

Starting with single-stage machines that compress air in a single "stroke" to two-stage compressors that compress at twice the air pressure, technology has progressed rapidly to further fit the needs of compressor applications that require the maximum efficiency at all times.

New technological advances, such as variable speed drives , allow the compressor to only operate at the speed and voltage necessary to provide you with the right amount of compressed air at the right pressure and at the right time. Even more recent are variable frequency drive innovations that allow the compressor to control motor speed and torque by alternating from A/C to D/C power and controlling input frequency and voltage.

There is no shortage of innovation as new uses for air compressors are discovered, and it has led to quieter, cleaner, faster and stronger machines. Teflon-coated cylinders and bioengineered designs are just a few examples of how innovation is used to solve unique problems in the field.

Keep noise down

It is important to consider the noise level and quiet operation of the compressor , whether you are working at home indoors or have a mechanic in an auto shop with the compressor in the same work area. No matter the type of air compressor or location, there are solutions to help reduce noise, such as housings, shock absorbers, and compressors that use sound-deadening materials.

With the advancement of technology, we now have silent, oil-free compressors that are exceptionally low in noise due to their casings and can run all day without slowing down, making them ideal for industries that require round-the-clock operations. Other technologies like VSD, VFD, and dual-piston designs also help with quieter operation.

How to choose the perfect silent air compressor

Complete your air system

At FSO COMPRESSORS, we supply fully equipped compressed air systems to ensure you have all the parts you need to make the right investment.

air tools

Pneumatic tools revolutionized the way people and businesses work. For the first time, they allowed more work to be done much faster at a fraction of traditional costs and, unlike battery-powered tools, air tools do not require internal motors or external power to operate, but still offer optimal power and performance.

Filling a garage-workshop with a pneumatic impact wrench, spray gun, stapler, stapler, ratchet wrench or sandblaster will allow you to complete almost any task at home using a power source (air compressor) and without breaking the bank.

air treatment

Proper air treatment is like life insurance for your air compressor; Dirty air causes damage over time until you are faced with very costly repairs and expensive downtime.

Clean, dry air is essential to protect your tools and machines that run on your compressor. Air dryers remove moisture and some pollution, while air filters further refine the air by removing fine particles and aerosol pollution. Clean air not only protects your tools, but also your compressor tank (through the use of a drain) and air lines from a constant bombardment of humid, unfiltered air that causes damage to internal parts over time.

Essential accessories

We offer air compressor accessories and kits that improve the performance of your air compressor system. These include lubricators, regulators, extra air tanks, replacement pumps, air hoses, extension cords, oil, and gauges. We also offer air delivery solutions to get your air anywhere you need it.

Portability

The beauty of portable air compressors is that they can go exactly where they are needed. Whether it's a handheld inflator that fits under your car seat or an all-terrain DC air compressor for your weekend getaways, there are portable compressors to support any lifestyle.

For homeowners and contractors, portability means being able to carry a double-stack or hot dog compressor around the house, or even use mobile air compressors that are truck- mounted or wheelbarrow- mounted to the job site. You'll never have to worry about how you'll power your air tools on the roof or in the crawl space.

Facility

Larger stationary air compressors and industrial-grade air solutions for manufacturing will need to be installed with the help of a certified installer who is familiar with state and local codes and can ensure that proper guards are in place, and that meet energy and application requirements.

Choosing the right air compressor

Air compressors at all levels of use can improve productivity every day they are used. Although finding the right one may be daunting at first, you now have the knowledge and tools you need to make an informed decision about which compressor is right for you.

If you're looking for an industrial air compressor system for your facility and are worried about complicated logistical decisions, we can make it easier: simply give us a call and our experts will explain exactly what you need.