As the fall colors begin to diminish and the frost hits our windshields, it’s time to prepare for a
Midwest winter. In many cases preparing the compressor room is the last to be thought of.
Those who rely on the fourth utility, compressed air, should ensure that their systems are
prepared for cold months ahead. If your compressed air system, including your compressor
room, is not prepared for the winter, the weather could bring your business much worse than
cold temperatures.
Insulation or heaters can help maintain the right temperature in drafty equipment rooms and
reduce the wear and tear cold can cause on your compressor. The investment it takes to keep
the compressor room warm pays in the long run by minimizing the risk of system failure, which
could grind your business to a complete halt.
“Allowing freezing temperatures can cause the oil in your machine to thicken if your compressor
room is not kept above freezing temperatures,” Brittany Smith, director of marketing
communications at CompressAir, said. “This can cause multiple start issues, which is hard on
the compressor’s main motor.”
“If the moisture in the compressor does freeze, it will cause damage to its components,” Smith
said. “Your compressor’s air end discharge should be around 185 to 200 degrees. Water will
start condensing in the oil if the compressor doesn’t maintain proper operating temperatures”
Some businesses operate more complex setups, and their compressor systems run piping
through the outdoors. In this circumstance, keeping the compressor room warm is not enough.
“If the air travels outdoors, it needs to be properly dried with the correct type of dryer,” Smith
said. “One option is a desiccant dryer, which is known to work best on applications with lines
that travel outside.”
The experts at CompressAir, a leading provider of compressed air services and products in
Northern Indiana, stress that one of the most important things a customer can do to prepare for
the winter is to ensure their compressor room maintains an appropriate ambient temperature.
Anywhere from 45 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the room will work, preventing the oil for cooling
and any loose moisture from freezing.
CompressAir also recommends completing a thorough inspection of your system before the
cold sets in, to ensure that every piece of equipment is working properly. Drains, moisture traps,
and condensate equipment are all essential, and regularly checking on them plays an important
role in protecting your compressor. If you run into any problems or see something you are not
sure about, CompressAir is ready to help.
“Please reach out to our sales or service team if you are experiencing any of these issues,”
Smith said. “We are happy to offer recommendations to help with the problems winter can
bring.”
Smith did note that Region winters are not entirely bad news for compressor owners, and as
long as your machine is maintained you might actually see a big benefit.
“We don’t have very humid winters here in the Midwest,” she said. “Our dry winters help the
compressor to work more efficiently, because it allows it to produce more air and less water.”
To learn more about CompressAir and how it can help winterize your compressor, visit
compressair.net.
