How to Distinguish Between Consumer and Commercial Air Compressors

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Air compressors have been around for quite some time, and while they may not sound especially exciting, the way that they’ve evolved over the years has made them an extremely useful gadget in a variety of applications. Compressed air is probably most well-known for its inflation purposes but is also used for a mixture of other things. Whether you run a service station or automotive shop or are just someone who appreciates a good DIY project at home, you just might be surprised at how handy this piece of equipment can be. If you’re in the market for an air compressor, there are a few things to know before making your purchase.

Consumer vs. Commercial-Grade

Consumer-grade air compressors are designed to fulfill the diverse home improvement or everyday needs of homeowners. The most common choices include inflators, twin-stack, hot dog, stationary single-stage and portable single-stage. Commercial-grade air compressors are built to assist with bigger jobs in facilities such as gas stations or auto repair shops.

They are much more heavy duty and can run for extended lengths of time, great for when a steady supply of compressed air is required. The main categories of commercial-grade compressors are reciprocating, rotary screw and rotary centrifugal, which can then be further distinguished by additional features.

Different Uses

As mentioned above, air compressors are used to complete a number of tasks. For home use, there are many household power tools that are made safer and helped to last much longer by giving them a boost with compressed air. Whether utilized for practical (nail and staple guns, bike tires, power washers, etc.) or enjoyable purposes (paintball guns, spray painting, airbrushing, etc.) air compressors can be a worthy investment.

For service stations and automotive shops, an air compressor is a must-have piece of machinery. They are necessary in order to be able to fully satisfy the needs of customers on a constant every day basis. Drivers must keep their vehicle’s tires filled with the proper amount of air to ensure safety, increase fuel economy and extend tire life.

Considerations When Purchasing

Regardless of whether an air compressor is being purchased for consumer or commercial use, there are several things to consider to make sure the right one is chosen. To begin, a buyer must identify what their intended use will be since a homeowner isn’t likely to have the same needs as someone trying to run a successful service station or auto shop. Other factors to keep in mind include tank size, portability, horsepower and CFM rating. The CFM rating indicates how much air a particular compressor is able to output, while horsepower refers to the power of the motor.

Tank size will affect how long and often a compressor will have to run, and portability will control if it’s able to be moved from task to task or if it will have to remain stationary to accommodate larger jobs. It is also important to look at a machine’s brand reliability, maintenance requirements and how advanced it is in technology, especially when buying for commercial use.

Whether you want to make projects much easier to manage at home, or are looking to ensure your service facility is equipped with all the necessary tools for prosperity, air compressors can be the solution to the assorted needs of many.