The Utilization of Air Compressors in Eco-Friendly Construction Projects

There are a lot of issues that you need to take into consideration when you are trying to live a sustainable lifestyle. You are going to work on a lot of household projects that might leave a large carbon footprint and hurt the environment. According to the EESI, buildings account for 39% of the carbon footprint in the United States. This doesn’t even take into account the environmental impact of the building materials or tools.

You can take a number of steps to minimize your carbon footprint while working on a construction project. One of the measures that you can take is to use high quality, energy efficient air compressors.

Air Compressors Prove to Be Valuable Tools for Reducing Carbon Footprints

Mother Earth News wrote an insightful article on the benefits of air compressors. They showed that you can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 35% by replacing traditional tools with air compressors.

However, your air compressors need to be well-maintained and used properly. We created a good guide to assist you.

Using Air Compressors in a Way that Pays Environmental Dividends

Throughout many industries and home DIY, air compressors are an incredibly valuable tool.

Direct Air have created an in-depth guide on the mechanics of air compressors and how to choose the right model for your business.

Below is a quick overview of various models to help you gain a better understanding.

Low Noise Compressors

The most common annoyance of these machines is the noise they generate.

Anything above 85dB can cause long-term damage to hearing, these low noise compressors reduce the volume to around 40dB by using a separate acoustic chamber. Low noise compressors are also better for the environment, since they don’t create distress for wildlife.

Lubrication

Every air compressor requires lubrication to safely and efficiently draw in air.

This can be achieved with the use of oil within the cylinder. This method does of course require regular checks to ensure oil levels are correctly maintained and are best suited to industrial use as they are more robust.

You can also gain sufficient lubrication using an oil-free compressor by the use of a non-stick coating, typically Teflon. These are generally better for the environment.

These machines are usually more lightweight than their counterparts but often have a shorter lifespan as this coating will eventually wear away.

Single and Dual Phase Compressors

These are the most common form of compressor and use the same method, the only difference is dual phase compressor has one more step to the process.

Air is drawn into the cylinder and compressed. This is then sent to a storage tank until it is required.

Dual phase will do this, but before sending to storage, it will be sent to a second cylinder to be compressed for a second time.

Fixed Rate and Variable Speed

A fixed rate air compressor will send a continuous stream of power to the motor and in return this will give a reliably frequency.

Variable speed compressors (VSD) will adjust the speed to the motor in accordance with the demand for air.

Both have pros and cons. VSD are cheaper to run and are more environmentally friendly but are more costly for the initial purchase.

Fixed rate models are harsher on the environment but are cheaper to purchase.

Scroll Compressors

These are the most common form of machine due to their affordability and availability.

A piston is drawn down within the cylinder which decreases pressure. The change in pressure forces the cylinder door open and draws in air.

When the piston travels back up, the air is then pushed out at a higher pressure. This is then repeated in a ‘scroll’ pattern.

They can cool quickly and are energy efficient compared to a rotary compressor.

Rotary Screw Compressors

These are similar to piston compressors, but instead of using a piston a roller is relied on.

Rollers are placed within the central shaft, with one side always in contact with the wall, these rotate at an extreme speed causing the same result.

Their power capacity is better than their counterpart but they do require regular maintenance checks.

Air Compressors Can Be a Great Environmental Alternative

There are a number of reasons to consider using air compressors. They are much better for the environment than traditional construction tools, so you should seriously consider using them.