Air Compressors: Repair or Replace? Making the Right Choice

Before opting for a replacement, it's advisable to thoroughly examine the system to determine if the breakdown can be easily fixed. There could be various reasons for the breakdown, and not all of them indicate irreparable damage or ongoing repair issues. Seeking assistance from a local compressed air service technician can help assess the situation.

Reminder: When thinking about an air compressor system upgrade, keep in mind that the actual purchase price of the new compressor is only around 10% of the overall cost! 

Factors that favour repairing your compressor include:

1. It is relatively new and has low operating hours
2. It hasn't been significantly outdated by newer technology.
3. Spare parts for the model are easy to source.
4. It has demonstrated overall reliability, and the repair isn't indicative of major future problems.

On the other hand, replacing your compressor may be the more viable solution in the following circumstances:

1. If it has broken down once, there's a higher likelihood of it happening again.
2. As air compressors are constantly improving, newer models offer significant energy savings that could offset their initial cost.
3. Finding parts for an older model may be difficult, time-consuming, and costly.
4. Your current compressor may be too small to meet your company's current needs and replacing it with a larger unit could be an opportunity to future-proof your business.

A helpful rule of thumb is that if repair costs exceed 50-60% of the price of a new compressor, it might be more economical to replace the unit. Key components, like the airend element or motor, can cost a substantial amount to replace! In many cases, opting for a new compressor instead of tackling significant part replacements can save time and money in the long run.

While the upfront cost of a new air compressor may seem high. However, when you consider factors such as energy savings, potential energy credits from your electricity provider, increased reliability, and decreased maintenance costs, the payback time is often shorter than expected. The initial cost also fails to account for the potentially devastating costs associated with downtime due to compressor shutdowns in the future.

Calculating the life cycle cost of an air compressor before making a purchase is a wise approach to evaluating the total investment. Additionally, a life cycle cost assessment can serve as a comparison tool when evaluating other products and systems, helping define other important requirements for the installation and assessing potential environmental benefits, energy savings, and improved production quality. It also highlights areas where energy efficiency can be improved.

We understand that choosing between repairing and replacing a compressor can be challenging. That's why our team of compressed air experts is always available to guide you through the pros and cons of repairing or replacing your current compressor system. Feel free to reach out to our experts today!