Your company’s compressed air equipment is a foundational part of your business operations. You rely on it to help you create your products and meet customer demands. That’s why compressed air equipment maintenance is a necessity. With proper care, this crucial equipment can give your business many more years of efficient, reliable performance.

One of the key aspects of taking care of your compressed air equipment is maintaining the right operating temperature. Fluctuations in temperature can have more of an impact on your compressor’s performance than you might think. In this article, we’ll take a look at how the temperature in your air compressor storage room can affect your machinery. We’ll also narrow down the ideal temperature for air equipment throughout your business.

In This Article

How Does Temperature Affect Compressed Air Equipment?

Your company’s air compressors might be workhorses, but they don’t operate alone. They’re in constant contact with their immediate surroundings, and the conditions of these surroundings will influence how they operate. You can refer to this as an area’s “ambient temperature.” This has a significant effect on your compressed air equipment.

Outdoor compressed air equipment can experience extreme temperature shifts. But indoor air compressors can also experience diverse temperatures if you keep them in uninsulated storage rooms or areas without any climate control. Your goal should be to limit extreme temperature changes in the ambient temperature surrounding your air compressor. This can preserve the life and functionality of your machine. Extreme temperature changes can result in costly repairs and malfunctions.

Avoid letting your air compressor get too warm. Hot ambient temperatures affect your compressed air equipment by causing it to:

  • Overheat.
  • Shut off by itself.
  • Trip the circuit breaker.
  • Need more time to assume full operating power.
  • Require more rest between cycles.
  • Give off the smell of burnt oil.
  • Develop more frequent issues and malfunctions.

Extreme cold temperatures are equally destructive. Cold ambient temperatures can cause the following conditions:

  • Condensate freezing inside the air compressor
  • Thick air compressor oil and improper lubrication of components
  • Increased wear and tear
  • Cracked system components
  • Obstructed air and water flow within the compressor
  • Ice in control lines
  • Over pressurization or under pressurization

Temperature changes can be detrimental to your compressed air system. Striking the right balance between hot and cold is key to ensuring your company’s compressed air equipment stays healthy.

What Is the Ideal Temperature for Compressed Air Equipment?

When finding the ideal temperature for your compressed air equipment, you should aim to keep the system from freezing or overheating.

We find that the best temperature range for meeting those requirements is anywhere from 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Some experts stretch it to 41-113 degrees Fahrenheit. But when it comes to the health of your expensive air compressors, it’s better to play it safe than cut it too close and suffer the consequences. We have two reasons for shrinking our chosen temperature range.

The first has to do with the nature of compressed air equipment. Your machines will produce heat as a natural byproduct of their operations. This heat can raise the ambient temperature of your air compressor storage room, making the upper threshold of 85 degrees Fahrenheit a safe goal to account for the heat your compressor produces.

You can reduce the heat your compressor generates with a proper ventilation system. Direct the hot air from your compressor outside your building, using the shortest distance of ductwork possible. Or, you can choose to send the warm air to another part of your building for repurposing. Make sure to keep your compressor’s air intake a safe distance away to avoid bringing warm air back into the system.

The second reason for choosing 50-85 degrees Fahrenheit as the ideal operating range is due to humidity. There is less humidity in the air at lower temperatures. When it comes to compressed air equipment, humidity is something to avoid at all costs. Yet going too low is also harmful because water can condense within your air compressor if the ambient temperature gets too cold. This water can freeze and expand if the ambient temperature gets too low, damaging your air compressor from the inside.

Hot temperatures can increase the humidity and cause your compressor to overheat. Cold temperatures are less humid but can cause damage from freezing condensation. Stay within 50-85 degrees Fahrenheit, and your compressor should be safe from the negative effects of temperature extremes.

Tips for Operating Compressed Air Equipment in Hot and Cold Temperatures

You can take control of your equipment’s health in hot and cold temperatures by following the right maintenance procedures. Here are a few tips for operating your compressed air equipment in cold temperatures:

  • Keep the temperature above 50 degrees Fahrenheit: If you can control the climate of the area, do your best to keep it from dipping too low. Add insulation to the room, install heaters and seal any cracks or gaps in the walls.
  • Cold-proof your air compressor: Install trace heating around pipes, add an internal heater and apply insulation to keep the inside of your compressor safe.
  • Perform routine maintenance: Your compressor may need extra maintenance in colder temperatures. Check components every day for ice and moisture buildup. And since your compressor will work harder in cold temperatures, check the oil to make sure it’s at a healthy level.

Here are some ways you can take care of your air compressor in hot temperatures:

  • Keep the temperature below 85 degrees Fahrenheit: This could be hard in the summer when your air compressor is pumping hot air. Air conditioning helps, but you can also install fans and make sure you’re venting the hot air from your compressor to another location.
  • Check oil levels: Your compressor may burn through its oil in hot temperatures. Maintain a healthy level and check oil levels regularly.
  • Inspect air filters: Make sure there are no obstructions in the system. Keep the air compressor clean.

Choose Fluid Aire Dynamics for Your Compressed Air Equipment Needs

Your compressed air equipment is some of your company’s most important and expensive gear. Make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep it functioning properly and efficiently. This all starts with making sure your compressed air storage location is at the right temperature. Keep the temperature within our recommended range, and you’ll be one step closer to maintaining your air compressor for years to come.

Fluid Aire Dynamics has been serving regions in the northeastern United States since its founding in 1986. We’re your go-to source for air compressor equipment and information. If you’re in the market for a new air compressor or you want to learn more about proper air compressor maintenance, we’re the ones to call. Contact us today for more information.