Whether you are buying your first compressor, or your 5th, making decisions based on your compressor needs can feel like it never gets easier. Deciding on which compressor works best for you can feel like a minefield of technical jargon where you can easily get lost in the details. 

And this feeling of overwhelm is why J&J give you our own personalised suggestions for what would work best for your business needs following our fact finding stage of the process*. 

However, we understand that when being given a list of options that someone else has picked it is easy to feel apprehensive, or even suspicious. Afterall, when you don’t know why someone has made a decision it can feel overwhelming to understand the context behind the decision, let alone then having to  choose an option from the list. 

And whilst your sales adviser at J&J will always go through the decision making process with you so that you feel empowered and knowledgeable in what has been chosen and why, we understand that peering behind the curtain to see how the sausage is made is not only reassuring but also quite interesting. 

And because of this we have decided to write this blog today to go over the nitty gritty of each factor that goes into making the decision of choosing the right compressor for you. 

So whether you are in the market for a new compressor, or you simply want to understand your current compressor more then this blog is for you! 

*If you would like to learn more about our installation process from enquiry to aftercare then check out our blog here.

So what questions should you be asking when choosing the right compressor for you?

The Technical Side:

Oil Lubricated or Oil-Free

Let’s start with a question that will divide your choices in two; what treatment level do you need for your requirements?

Or in other words, will you need an oil-lubricated or an oil-free compressor?

For anyone who needs their compressor to work within the food and beverage industry, pharmaceuticals, dentistry or even airbrushing, it is vital that your compressor is producing clean, pure air produced by an oil free compressor. This is to ensure that all manufacturing is being done in a sterile and safe environment suitable for human contact and consumption, or to allow for the cleanest results in the case of airbrushing. 

Whereas, if you are working in an industry such as manufacturing, construction, energy or the automotive sector, an oil-lubricated compressor will work perfectly for your needs as oil content  of the air produced is less of an issue. 

Although oil-free compressors previously tended to struggle with obtaining the same flow and longevity as their oil lubricated alternatives, nowadays with advancements in science both types of compressors are equally powerful and durable to stand the test of time. So the good news is, no matter your industry and compressor needs, you will be able to find a fantastic option!

Demand and Application: Power, Flow and Pressure

And our second most important question: how much power, flow and pressure do you need? 

Depending on your compressor’s usage these numbers will vary significantly. For example, a dentist’s office will need minute amounts of air pressure in comparison to the compressors used in large scale manufacturing in a factory for example.

Whilst this can all get a bit technical, what J&J will do is to work out your pressure and flow requirements needed to run your machine efficiently. This is put into a formula which will give you your ‘Overall Compressor Requirement’. 

Whilst many decisions regarding your compressor can be fairly straightforward, we understand that the technical aspect of matching your Overall Compressor Requirement to an appropriate machine can be a bit convoluted. Because of this, when we show you the compressors that will match your OCR we will explain exactly how and why the chosen machines fit your needs.

Variable or Fixed Energy Usage

Another important technical aspect in picking your ideal compressor has to do with how steady  your energy usage will be. 

For example, will your compressor be active and working with a similar product constantly? Or would you be stopping production on weekends, working with different products throughout the week, or only working with your compressor for certain hours of the day? 

If you know that your needs will be consistent then a fixed energy usage compressor is the right option for you. These work perfectly in situations where machines are running constantly and are working on the same task over and over again like in a packaging factory for example, or if they are being used to provide the bulk of compressed air (base load).

However, if you use your machine intermittently, for different tasks, or for jobs with very different needs then we would absolutely recommend a variable energy usage compressor. An example of this would be someone who airbrushes cars along with other tasks throughout the day. 

By deciding what type of energy usage you will need, this factor is helpful in eliminating machinery that would prove more expensive to run in the long run, or equipment thay would be more prone to breakage. 

One thing to note here is that variable energy compressors do tend to cost more in their initial startup so this is something to bear in mind with your choices.

The Practicalities: 

Where will your compressor go? Size, Location and Portability

Something that is easy to forget about when thinking about compressor options is where your compressor will actually go. 

Whilst some people may have large warehouses full of space, for others compressors may need to be smaller to fit into compact spaces, portable to be moved where necessary, or even placed in an outside space like a carpark to function.  

Although each of these options are valid, the more restrictions regarding your space will change the compressor you are able to install in the area so please bear this in mind. Whilst portability options are customizable onto certain machines, size obviously cannot be changed so sadly this factor may eliminate some options you really like.

Brand Choice 

As with anything in life, sometimes people prefer certain brands over others due to reviews, past experience, price or even features. Whilst every brand sold and installed by J&J is a brand of quality, we completely understand everyone’s own preference here. Because of this, if you have a preferred brand of choice we will work hard to find a compressor that will fit your practical and technical needs within your chosen option. 

If you would like to learn more about the brands supported by J&J then please check out our full listings here.

Warranty Options for your Compressor

Another important factor to consider when picking between compressor options is the warranty you will receive. 

Whilst some companies give warranties that only last a couple of years, others such as Compair last 10+ in contrast. If you are looking for a set up that will last you until modernization is an option then we would absolutely recommend choosing a machine with a longer warranty to maximise your investment.

Compressor Noise Levels

One factor that many people forget when looking at compressors is noise. 

Whilst for some businesses strong noise may cause no issue, for other circumstances the levels of noise can be a very important factor in your decision. 

For example, if placing your compressor outside, often noise level guidelines must be complied with to ensure a comfortable situation for all neighbours. Or potentially noise levels may just be a matter or personal taste. For example, for those who work in smaller workshops with their compressor inside nearby, it can be helpful to choose a quieter model to create a nicer and more focused workspace. 

If either of these situations are the case, J&J also sell ‘silent’ compressors such as Bambi BB range which specialise in keeping noise levels to a minimum at all times.

Price

And lastly, our final factor in your decision making is the overall price of your purchase and installation. Pricing often makes or breaks a purchasing decision and can vastly dictate the decisions we make. We also however know how difficult cash flow can sometimes be within a working business. 

Because of this, at J&J we offer financing options for all of our products to ensure that you can  get exactly what you want at a manageable price for you and your business.

And so there we have it!

With our handy guide above you should now understand each decision that goes into choosing a compressor in detail so that you can feel empowered and in the know when it comes to making a decision about your next installation. 

Hopefully this should have answered many of the questions you may have regarding your compressor option, but if you still have any pending thoughts then please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. 

J&J- When the pressure is on, we deliver.