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  • Choosing Between Single Stage and Two-Stage Air Compressors

    From outdoor construction equipment to indoor industrial factory work, industrial air compressors are used to power the largest and most useful machines on the worksite through its system of compressed air. When dealing with large scale, industrial sized air compressors, there are two main categories that you want to look into before making the final purchase: single stage air compressors and two-stage air compressors.

    The biggest difference when determining which stage air compression you want lies with how much pressure you want to get out of your machine. The compressed air that is expelled from the unit comes out at a high PSI, or pounds per square inch. This unit of measurement determines how powerful and how large of a tool can be used in conjunction with the air compressor machine.

    An application that requires 125 PSI or below can usually be handled by a single stage industrial air compressor. These compressors work by pulling air into the chamber and compressing it by reducing volume but keeping its mass, creating a large amount of pressure buildup. This pressure is then expelled via a pneumatic hose which connects to your power tools, giving you clean compressed air to run all your necessary equipment.

    For anything requiring more than 125 PSI, a two-stage air compressing unit is required. Working through virtually the same principle as the single stage compressor, a two-stage compressor unit compresses the air a second time, creating even more pressure in the unit to be expelled.

    Another measurement you need to take into consideration is CFM, or cubic feet per minute, which determines the amount of space that the compressed air will take up. A larger CFM means that more compressed air can be expelled at a higher pressure, allowing for multiple tools to be connected to the compressor.

    A single stage compressor is best used for smaller jobs or work sites where the duration of the job or the amount of tools being connected is low. For much larger jobs on larger sites, a two-stage compressor is required because they will have the necessary CFM and PSI to get all your tools working in top shape.

    It is important to consider these factors when purchasing an industrial sized air compressor. Each one has its benefits and each one has its specific uses. Determining which one works best for your business is vital to getting the most for your money, so be sure to check out an established, reputable air compressor dealer for more information on single and two-stage air compressors.

  • The New Jersey SmartStart Building Program

    The New Jersey Clean Energy Program (NJCEP) is an innovative new incentive program, the goal of which is to increase the energy efficiency in all types of buildings, including commercial, industrial, and large residential structures, so as to reduce energy consumption. The buildings must have yearly peak electricity usage that is more than one hundred kilowatts to qualify. The program is now available not only for existing buildings, but also for new building projects of fifty thousand square feet or more. These construction projects must be in the New Jersey Smart Growth area.

    This comprehensive, whole-building approach to energy efficiency starts with an Energy Reduction Plan developed by an energy expert that can be selected from a network.  The project has already helped to create more jobs, and has enabled businesses to expand while remaining environmentally conscious. It has been proved to preserve more open areas and farmland, an important part of the state. Furthermore, the plan's inclusion of residential structures has led to different types of housing with a variety of price ranges. Overall, it is meant to enhance and raise energy usage in New Jersey to a higher standard.

    Air compressors will be helpful in these projects because the can be used in many situations. They can now be used in anything from home shops, to basements and even garages, and have widespread industrial use. One of the benefits is that air power tools do not require a large, bulky motor. One motor on the compressor can change the electrical energy into kinetic energy. This makes it more eco-friendly, while providing users with access to compact, smaller tools that run silently and have fewer parts to wear out.

    The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities first started the New Jersey's Clean Energy Program in 2003. Many experts, not just from within government and industry but also those within academia, studied the problem and came up with the Clean Energy Council. The Council has 3 distinctive committees: Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Marketing and Communications. The program is also innovative in that its meetings are opened to the public, rather than limited to government officials and industry insiders.

    Green Job Training is also part of the New Jersey Clean Energy Program. It involves courses held at local colleges and state universities. Recently nine hundred thousand dollars were approved for three grants. Each grant will get three hundred thousand dollars to help support training programs towards green jobs.

  • Variable Speed Air Compressors

    To understand what a variable speed air compressor is and how it works, it is important to understand air compressor basics. An air compressor is a device that forces air into a chamber where the volume is then reduced in order to compress the air. Compressed air means a lot of potential energy, which can be used to power tools and equipment. A variable speed air compressor is an air compressor that has adjustable speed drive controls to save energy.

    A variable speed air compressor works in the same way as a rotary screw compressor. In fact, the variable speed air compressor can be a type of rotary screw compressor. These work by allowing air to enter the screw compressor intake, where it is forced into a smaller and smaller space by two rotating screws that mesh together. This cavity is also flooded with oil. As the screws turn, the job of the oil is to cool and close any gaps during compression. The screws rotate in opposite directions, moving the air from one end of the screws to the other. After being moved down the length of the screws the air – now mixed with oil – is discharged. The gas and the oil mixture are now sent into a separation chamber; the oil drains into a sump tank and then to a cooler while the air leaves, is cooled, and then flows into a storage tank. The oil is cooled before being reused and returned to the air compressor, while the air will leave the sump tank and air compressor in a constant flow.


    Compared to other kinds of air compressors, variable air compressors give you the air required while using less energy. Variable speed air compressors change the speed of compression in order to use no more electricity than is absolutely necessary. Therefore they are very energy efficient, which can be an enormous benefit to a business, as a significant portion of most factories’ electricity bills can be attributed to compressed air. Variable speed air compressors are especially useful in environments in which demands for air are greater at certain times than at others. Other benefits are the reduced power surges and increased lifespan of the compressor. This machine's downside is that it tends to be more expensive than other kinds of air compressors. If you’re not sure whether a variable speed compressor would be a good investment for your facility, an air audit can be performed to determine what compressed air system would be most cost and energy efficient for you.

  • Industrial Air Compressors: Synthetic vs. Mineral Oil

    Anyone who runs an air compressor normally monitors the temperature. If you do, and you use mineral oil, then you probably know the oil tends to run hot at times. As a result, then you are probably spending more money than necessary due to frequent oil changes. By switching to synthetic oil, you can save not only finances but you will also extend the life of your air compressor. This article will address the pros and cons of both mineral oil and synthetic oil. 

    However, one of the main downsides of switching from mineral oil to a synthetic version is that you must take the compressor apart and clean it thoroughly to get all the mineral oil out. Still, the advantages of synthetic oil far outweigh the use of mineral oil. Synthetic oil comes with a host of benefits including: extension of your compressor’s lifespan, reduces the amount of oil the compressor uses, energy conservation, decreased oil for disposal, reduces the amount of maintenance you have to do to your compressor, and synthetic oil can increase the life of every part in your compressor. 

    The initial cost of purchasing the oil is far outweighed by the fact that synthetic oils facilitate increased operational, economical, and even environmental benefits. The factor that probably saves the most money is extended drain intervals. Synthetic oil has outstanding oxidative and thermal stability, which means that on average, if you were getting 1,000 hours of usage with a mineral oil, you will get somewhere between 8,000 and 10,000 hours when using a synthetic. 

    As if these factors weren't enough, one must also consider the fact that using synthetic oil will reduce deposit formation in your compressor, works at lower temperatures, is more resistant to fire, and has better low temperature fluidity. Synthetic oils are more energy efficient, and although this aspect of savings is far overlooked, if you run your compressor a lot, you can save up to 650 dollars per year from the switch. It is clear that the savings that result from the switch far outweigh the initial costs.

  • Easy Fixes for Common Problems in Industrial Air Compressors

    Industries that do heavy duty work need industrial air compressors that are durable and efficient. Keeping these compressors running properly can save businesses time, money and aggravation.

    There are many signs that will tell you if your air compressor is faulty. Troubleshooting and noticing problems before they get worse can prevent you from having to incur financial costs from either repairs or replacement. Oil in the discharge, fuses that constantly blow, and overheating are some of the most common problems industrial air compressors have, and they tell you that you should service your air compressor soon.

    These small problems are often easily fixed. Too much oil consumption, for example, can be caused by defective or clogged filter or leaking oil lines. Replacing the filters can be an easy fix for the compressor problems. Tightening bolts and having the system's gasket replaced can also fix the oil leaks. Worn piston rings can also cause oil consumption.

    For fuses that blow repeatedly, take note of the ampere rating of the unit to make certain that the right fuse is being used. If you are using a correctly sized fuse and it is still blowing, the motor is probably being overloaded. This is a larger problem that needs to be taken care of. It is best to turn off the machine to prevent more damage.

    Compressor overheating can be caused by poor ventilation. Checking oil levels and blowing out coolers can prevent over heating problems. Oil discharge in air coming from the compressor is another common problem. It can be a sign of improper installation of parts or faulty components. If you perform regular maintenance checks, you can easily find and correct these problems as well as give you ideas of problems areas your compressor tends to have.

    Once you inspect the compressor and see if it is an easy fix or not, then you will know if you need a repair specialist. When it comes to repair specialists, background checks are important, because having a technician without enough experience can lead you to paying more money. If you do your research well, though, your compressor will be reliably fixed, and all you have to do to avoid future problems is properly maintain it.