Reducing Energy and Costs: Green Strategies for Air Compressor Use

You might already know that compressed air typically accounts for up to 40% of a manufacturing facility’s total energy bill, but you may not realize that energy consumption typically represents approximately 80% of the overall cost of a compressed air installation! Because compressed air uses so much energy, it’s incredibly important for facilities look for ways to reduce their environmental impact to offset energy consumption. Plus, when you reduce your energy use, you increase cost savings; it’s a win-win situation! Here are five tips for reducing your environmental impact now and into the future:

• Reduce Energy Consumption. Reducing energy consumption seems like a broad task, but it’s easy when you know where to look for savings! Examples include investing in VSD technology, ensuring that your system runs as efficiently as possible with compressed air system audits, and implementing advanced monitoring programs like SMARTLINK in order to stay connected to and improve the overall health of your air compressor system.
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We all know the importance of the three R’s in contributing to a healthier planet, and there’s no time like the present to start recycling at home and at work. With energy recovery, the heat byproduct of compressed air is reused in other processes such as heating water instead of being diverted into the atmosphere. This is particularly useful in manufacturing plants that already need hot water for processes such as scalding, cleaning, sterilizing, and steaming. Plus, when using recovered energy, the consumption of fuel can almost be completely offset.
• Maintain and Upgrade Your Equipment. If your compressor equipment isn’t operating as it should, it’s time to look at whether repair, better optimization, or outright replacement of your system is the answer! Capital purchases may appear initially daunting for annual budgets and bottom lines, but more often than not upgrading your equipment will yield energy savings that reduce payback time substantially. We recommend talking to a trusted compressed air expert when making this decision.
• Take Aim at Your Carbon Footprint. From investing in energy-efficient equipment to reducing travel, there are lots of ways in which companies can reduce their carbon footprint and help lead the fight against climate change. That’s why selecting a compressor company that focuses on industry-leading sustainability policies and business practices is vital, as these items will help make sure that your facility operates efficiently and effectively, with both the environment and the future in mind.
• Never Stop Innovating. What are you doing to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced and global manufacturing world? Seeking out the best talent, upgrading to state-of-the-art equipment and developing efficient and sustainable practices are all ways to remain competitive, increase productivity and grow your market share. You may even think about fully committing to being part of the solution for a green tomorrow by setting science-based targets to reduce greenhouse emissions in line with the goals set forth in the Paris Agreement! (Atlas Copco has done the same; check those out here).

Learn more about Atlas Copco and green air compressor systems by visiting www.atlascopco.com/air-usa! 

About the Author. Katie Falcon is the contributing writer and editor for The Compressed Air Blog. She currently works at Atlas Copco Compressors as a Digital Marketing Specialist specializing in content creation and platform development. Reach her via email at katie.falcon@atlascopco.com.