Setting Compressed Air Efficiency Goals for the New Year
The beginning of the year is when many facilities set goals for safety, production, and cost control — but compressed air efficiency often gets overlooked. That’s a missed opportunity. Compressed air is one of the most expensive utilities in a facility, and even small improvements can produce meaningful savings over the course of a year.
At Industrial Air Services, we’ve seen how setting clear, realistic efficiency goals early in the year helps facilities reduce energy costs, improve reliability, and avoid emergency repairs later on. The key is focusing on practical goals that actually match how your system operates, not generic benchmarks.
Start by Establishing a Baseline
Before setting goals, you need to know where you’re starting.
A baseline should answer questions like:
How many hours does the compressor run each day?
How often does it load and unload?
What is the normal operating pressure?
Are there recurring moisture or pressure issues?
How much energy is being used to produce compressed air?
Without a baseline, it’s impossible to measure improvement — or know if changes are actually working.
Focus on Reducing Waste Before Adding Equipment
Many efficiency gains come from eliminating waste, not buying new equipment.
Common waste areas include:
Air leaks
Excessive system pressure
Short-cycling
Poor drainage
Dirty filters
Inefficient controls
Addressing these first often delivers faster payback than major capital upgrades.
Set Pressure Reduction as an Early Goal
Pressure creep is one of the most common efficiency killers.
A realistic goal might be:
Reducing system pressure by a few PSI
Eliminating pressure increases used to mask problems
Stabilizing pressure instead of constantly adjusting regulators
Lower pressure reduces energy use, leak loss, and stress on equipment.
Make Leak Reduction a Measurable Objective
Leak repair is one of the easiest efficiency wins.
Instead of treating leaks as a one-time project, set goals like:
Reducing audible leaks throughout the plant
Repairing leaks within a defined time frame
Tracking recurring leak locations
Scheduling periodic leak inspections
Leak management works best when it’s ongoing, not reactive.
Improve System Stability, Not Just Efficiency Numbers
Efficiency isn’t just about energy savings — it’s about consistency.
Good goals include:
Reducing pressure fluctuations
Eliminating frequent short-cycling
Improving recovery time after demand spikes
Stabilizing dryer performance and dew point
Stable systems tend to be more efficient by default.
Set Maintenance-Based Efficiency Goals
Maintenance plays a major role in efficiency.
Consider goals such as:
Staying on schedule with filter and oil changes
Keeping drains fully functional year-round
Cleaning coolers and maintaining airflow
Preventing moisture from reaching points of use
Well-maintained systems use less energy and fail less often.
Align Efficiency Goals With Production Needs
Efficiency should support production, not interfere with it.
Effective goals balance:
Energy savings
Reliability
Capacity
Product quality
The most successful efficiency plans improve performance while reducing cost — not one at the expense of the other.
Track Progress Throughout the Year
Efficiency goals only matter if they’re tracked.
Simple tracking can include:
Monthly run-time checks
Noting pressure adjustments
Monitoring filter life
Watching energy trends
Logging service issues
Even basic tracking helps confirm that improvements are working.
Avoid Setting Goals That Rely on Guesswork
Efficiency goals should be based on data, not assumptions.
If you’re unsure where improvements will come from, a system evaluation can:
Identify major inefficiencies
Prioritize upgrades
Estimate potential savings
Help set realistic targets
Good goals are achievable and measurable.
Treat Efficiency as a Year-Long Process
Compressed air efficiency isn’t a one-time project.
The best results come from:
Small, consistent improvements
Regular system reviews
Adjusting goals as production changes
Preventing inefficiencies from creeping back in
Efficiency is easier to maintain than to rebuild.
A Strong Efficiency Plan Sets the Tone for the Year
Facilities that set compressed air efficiency goals early in the year tend to experience fewer breakdowns, lower operating costs, and more predictable performance. A little planning now prevents a lot of frustration later.
If you want help establishing a baseline, identifying efficiency opportunities, or setting practical goals for the year ahead, Industrial Air Services is ready to help.
Industrial Air Services
📞 (615) 641-3100
📍 138 Bain Drive • LaVergne, TN 37086
