An air compressor is versatile and practical machinery that can supercharge your personal or commercial operations. It can power small to substantial industrial appliances. While an essential addition, picking the right air compressor can be an overwhelming process. How do you pick an ideal air compressor that’ll efficiently serve your requirements with all the sizes, capabilities, and designs? The first step is to ensure that you invest in a quality machine. This can be addressed by ensuring that you stick with reputable brands such a Gardner Denver air compressor. Now that you’ve narrowed the brand and picked an ideal vendor, what factors should you consider? Here are the top considerations to help you pick the best air compressor.

Air compressor grade

Are you looking for a commercial or consumer-grade air compressor? The grades determine the machine’s capacity, applications, and pricing. If you are looking for a solution for your personal use, a consumer-grade is the go-to. Most consumer-grade air compressors are portable and small, meaning that you can easily use them in your garage. Industrial grade air compressors are more robust, designed to handle demanding needs. They aren’t prone to overheating and are ideal for long-term use in industrial settings, from smaller factory shops to oil rigs.

Size

While air compressor grade plays a significant role in determining the size, you also have to take a closer look at your operations. This is particularly considering portability. Are your operations best suited by a portable or stationary air compressor? It is not just about how much space you have, but also the operation’s requirements.  While portable models might not be as powerful as the robust stationary air compressors, they facilitate effective operations if you need to keep shifting. You can find an air compressor offering the capability to match your needs, whether portable or stationary.

The power

How many tools do you need to be powered at one time? While considering the power, CFM (cubic feet per minute) capability is the first check.  This is the amount of airflow the compressor produces. The next check is PSI (pounds per square inch), which is the amount of pressure the air compressor can produce. Your tools also feature a PSI rating. It is recommendable to buy an air compressor featuring PSI matching or higher than that of your highest-rated tool. With CFM and PSI considerations, you’ll pick an air compressor that can efficiently power your tools.

The tank

The receiver tank determines the pressurized air available for immediate output. As such, the bigger the tank, the more pressurized available you get. A smaller tank means that the air compressor will have to work harder to match demanding needs, especially more than the compressor’s capacity. A bigger tank is also ideal as it reduces pulsation in the air line. Nonetheless, a smaller tank will suffice if you intend to use the air compressor in short bursts.

As you shop, the cost is a significant check. Your budget, while influential, shouldn’t be the top check. A quality Gardner Denver air compressor might seem expensive. Nonetheless, considering the long-term costs, it is worth the value of your investment. It’ll serve you for an extended period without incurring significant maintenance costs, unlike a cheaper option that might need regular replacement parts.