Commercial Air Compressors

Written By Steve Thompson

Buying an air compressor for a business is different than buying one for home use, particularly if your business requires constant activity from the compressor. Commercial air compressors are often marketed differently by the manufacturers, and although they may have similar functionality and even cost, there are a few important differences to consider.

Uses for commercial air compressors
Dozens of different industries use commercial air compressors for daily activity – from construction and manufacturing and oil drilling to health care facilities and law offices. The type of compressor you choose depends on the power you need and the precise atmosphere in which the compressor is used.

For example, some industries require a completely dry atmosphere where all moisture generated by the compressor must be dried immediately, and condensation is limited by the type of compressor chosen.

What to look for
If you are shopping for commercial air compressors, look for words like "industrial grade" and "for commercial use." This will help you distinguish the commercial models which are designed for longer and more powerful uses from those intended for home use. In addition, it’s a good idea to start talking to the vendor to ensure they understand which compressor features are best for your business.

Performance distinctions
Since you need more open space and must generate more power with commercial air compressors, most of this equipment has greater pounds per square inch (psi), cubic feet per minute (cfm), and horsepower (hp) than models intended for home use. For example, a standard compressor used for power tools around the house may have a maximum cfm of 6 at 90 psi, while a commercial model may provide upwards of 50 psi, and often higher.

Additionally, they will have higher voltage and amperage to sustain commercial applications, and will often be noisy. The higher decibels are related to the complication of the machinery, and unless you require quiet or nearly silent operation, a decibel level of 90 or more might not be far-fetched.

Size
You probably wouldn't want to lug a 500-lb. compressor around your garage at home, but 500 lbs. isn't particularly heavy when compared to most commercial air compressors. Size is one of the most obvious factors when deciding between the commercial and home use, and you'll need to carefully consider the space you're able to allocate for a compressor.

Some businesses have entire rooms in their warehouses or plants that are reserved entirely for air compression, while others might not need such big equipment. Whatever the case, modern technology is slowly reducing the average size of compressors, but make sure this is factored into your decision.

Features
The features for commercial air compressors are becoming much more sophisticated. Large display monitors that observe every aspect of operation, for example, are standard on most high-quality commercial models. You'll also find gauges, magnetic starters, and other handy features that can improve the productivity and accuracy of your operation.

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