Invest in a VSD Compressor and Reap the Rewards
Energy efficiency starts with using the right technology. There was a time when all compressors were fixed-speed models. That means you turned them on and they operated at full power… even if you did not need it.
It goes without saying that this can be extremely wasteful, as you are using more energy than necessary when air demand is lower, which is most of the time.
Then, a new invention came around: Variable speed drive (VSD) compressors. As the name indicates, they can adjust their motor speed to the compressed air demand at any given time. If you are operating at full load, they run at capacity. However, if you only require a little bit of air, they match your need and consume a lot less energy.
Thanks to this innovative technology, the users of the first generation of VSD compressors were able to reduce their energy consumption by up to 35%.
Since then, the technology has evolved. The latest VSD compressors reduce energy consumption by up to 45% compared to a fixed-speed model while still producing all of the compressed air you need.
Seeing how energy expenses constitute up to 80% of a compressor’s total cost of ownership, that means these highly efficient machines are a great investment over the course of their service life.
Because of how much they lower your energy use and costs, they make up their (typically) higher investment cost very quickly.
While the reduced energy consumption and the associated savings are the main benefit of VSD compressors, they also have other advantages.
For example, their gradual start-up is less taxing on key components such as gears and belts, which in turn improves their reliability.
Modern VSD machines come with a variety of connectivity features that allow you to keep an eye on your compressor from anywhere and to recognize issues before they become problems.
Therefore, the first step you should take to curb your energy use is to find out whether a VSD compressor is a good fit for you.
And it probably is.
If your compressed air demand fluctuates between jobs or if it varies from shift to shift, on weekends, or even throughout the year, then a VSD compressor will save you money.
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