Air compressors are a necessity in a wide range of businesses as much as they are in adding convenience in your garage.
When I was out to purchase my first air compressor in Singapore, I was surprised to find a wide range of air compressor models to fit almost every kind of application. High-demand industrial compressed air is typically delivered through rotary screw air compressors, but I’m not exactly sure if that’s the level of performance I would need for whatever project I decide to do at home.
If you’re going through the same confusion situation as I was, read this guide on how to choose the right air compressor for home use and which air compressor supplier in Singapore to buy from.
I wouldn’t divulge the specific types of air compressors there are, but I would discuss instead the three primary categories that air compressors fall into.
Commercial/Industrial-Grade Air Compressors - These are built to provide steady compressed airflow for long periods, thanks to the high-quality components and advanced features and technology they are built with. They guarantee high performance, energy efficiency, and durability.
Professional-Grade Air Compressors - Built for more demanding air tools and regular intermittent use, these air compressors perform well for contractors, woodwork shops, and auto shops. You will find a wide range of models that feature efficiency, durable design.
Consumer-Grade Air Compressors - Usually portable, these compressors are good for basic applications such as inflating tyres, sporting goods, among other similar items. They have the power to operate small load air tools such as staplers, but usually not much more. Nevertheless, they are a favourite among homeowners, hobbyists, carpenters or anyone who is engaged in professions that have occasional, low-load compressed air requirements.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying an Air Compressor
It would be difficult to decide which air compressor to buy without assessing what you intend to use it for. Below are some questions you’ll want to answer before you get into the finer details:
1. Where will you use your air compressor? Will the air compressor be staying in your home? Is portability a priority for you? If you think you’ll use it in different locations for your small auto shop, you’ll want to consider portable and wheeled designs. But, you have to keep in mind that you may have to sacrifice performance for portability, because portable units typically deliver less power than most stationary ones.
2. Will you have a dependable electrical supply? Asking this question will help you decide whether you will be using a gas or electric-powered model. Using an air compressor with a generator is not recommended as the fluctuating power delivered by a generator can cause serious damage to your unit. In this case, you may be better off using a gas model instead.
Air compressor suppliers also warn that using long extension cords is not a good fit for the equipment as the longer the cords are, the less efficient the power they will deliver.
3. What tools will you use with your air compressor? All air compressor tools have an average CFM rating. So, whatever tools you wish to use, make sure that you are getting an air compressor that will supply you with the power you need. You will find that air compressors can be described in at least four ways:
• by the air generated - how compressed the air is based on the PSI rating.
• by the amount of air stored - the capacity of the tank to store air, measured in gallons.
• by the workload - the HP of the motor and the volume of air generated as measured in CFM.
• by technology - the most common technology used in air compressors are rotary screw or piston.
Final Thoughts
Diving into more details, some other considerations when buying an air compressor include whether you’re buying electric or gas.
The main reason to go gas is when you don’t have a consistent power to run your air compressor. But, when you’re indoors, you will have no choice but to use electric-powered compressors because they don’t emit fumes like gas which can be toxic.
Another is whether you’re buying a stationary or portable air compressor. In my case, I would need an air compressor that I can use primarily at home. Who knows? I could even set up an auto shop in the future. Therefore, I would prefer a stationary air compressor that can do both commercial and personal applications and I think professional-grade air compressors best fall in that category.
Since I am investing in some equipment, I might as well invest in one that does so much more. What about you? What are you looking for in an air compressor?
