Buy Cheap, Buy Twice – Why Investing In Proper Installation Matters.
In life you tend to get what you pay for.
That steak and kidney pie that’s all gravy and no filling.
Those shoes that broke within a couple of wears.
You get the message. You buy cheap, you buy twice.
And whilst there are some areas of life that you can comfortably save a bob or two in, let us tell you that a compressor installation is not one of them.
Why a good compressor installation matters
A compressed air system is invaluable for many businesses as operations would cease to function without it. And then when you factor in that a good compressed air system should be with you for 10+ years following correct maintenance and servicing, it becomes clear that getting a solid foundation is essential.
But that is not forgetting the elephant in the room….
Good compressor installation and machinery can be expensive.
And there is a good reason for this.
To get an installation that is safe, efficient and good quality takes training, expertise and years in the field. Our service team is trained to look at your installation space, the compressed air system you would like, and your business needs and fit all of these puzzle pieces together to create the best result for your business.
And because of this competency, practical know-how, and more that 60+ years in the compressed air business, J&J are not the cheapest company out there.
This is not something we shy away from, in fact, this whole blog post is about an installation we lost to someone who said that they could do it cheaper and quicker than us.
And they did.
Result right? Well, not quite…
Let’s have a look at the pictures below to see exactly what went wrong here →
Compressor Installation Case Study
Now at first glance maybe everything looks fine.
The machine itself is a good compressor, it is stored in an enclosed space, and it is clearly working. However, when you take a longer look some major red flags become evident.
Power Supply
To start, there is a major problem with the power supply. As you can see in the photo below, the power supply isn’t glanded. And to make matters worse, you can see that the actual conductors are outside of the unit itself. This type of installation isn’t just bad practice, it’s downright dangerous.
Unglanded power supplies are unsafe because they lack a safe path for stray electrical current to escape into the earth. This means not only are they vulnerable to surges, but also offer a real risk of severe electrical shock, equipment damage and potentially even electrical fires.
And unprotected conductors are not much better. By exposing conductors out in the open, this can then directly threaten your compressors functionality due to weather and UV degradation and mechanical and yard damage resulting in short circuiting and system failure. Additionally, exposed conductors create severe safety hazards such as a high risk of fire and severe electrocution (typically 240 volts) that can kill people and animals who brush past the unit.
Ventilation System
Secondly, the ‘inlet ventilation’ to the left of the compressor is, in reality, just a hole in the wall.
An inlet ventilation opening is necessary to allow a steady stream of cool outside air in, to prevent dangerous negative air pressure, and of course, to manage heat inside the installation.
Not only is the inlet ventilation pictured above not to a professional standard, but with no filtration system installed this also allows large quantities of dust into the unit which then in turn damages the compressor.
For an installation to be effective, the inlet must:
-be large enough to manage the compressors airflow and CFM requirements
-must be placed low on the wall to promote smooth cross-ventilation
-must draw air directly from outside (keeping it free of dust, debris and fumes)
-ideally has thermostat controlled louvres or dampers that open and close automatically based on temperature
-and finally have cyclones or panel filters if there is a high dust concentration outside.
Not only is the inlet ventilation pictured above not to a professional standard, but with no filtration system installed this allows large quantities of dust and debris into the unit.
Functionality
And lastly, probably the most unforgiving part of this installation is the placement of the machine.
The compressor has been placed very far forward inside the unit to try and accommodate serviceability. So far in fact, that every time it is windy outside, the wooden door hits the machine.
Annoying sure, but what’s the big deal?
Well, the installer also placed the compressor with its emergency stop button facing the door side. And so now you see the issue.
Every time it is windy outside, the door slams shut and hits the emergency stop button on the compressor, meaning all business operations cease temporarily.
Not only is this incredibly annoying, but also costs so much extra energy and resources in resolving the issue.
So combining all 3 issues above, we are left with a compressor that is not only inefficient, dangerous, but also turns off in bad weather. It’s not looking good.
The person who executed this installation promised a cheaper and quicker installation than J&J could offer. And the fact of the matter is that they did achieve this. Installation was quicker and cheaper, but at what cost?
Having explored our case study above, we think that it is clear that this ‘solution’ is by name only.
To learn more about the nitty gritty of installations at J&J, then click here.
The Final Installation Result?
What was originally a cheaper option will likely end up costing this business 2x the hours, effort and money by the time someone comes in to repair all of the issues that are currently impeding good compressor functioning.
And listen, we understand as business owners ourselves, that every little helps in terms of savings. However, we can assure you that trying to find these savings through your compressor installation will only cost you more in terms of repairs, business downtime and your own sanity in the long run.
The truth is that J&J’s prices are maintained as so to ensure that we provide the correct level of training, staff proficiency and installation expertise to ensure that every single customer receives a fantastic service regardless of whether this is their first installation, or they’re a lifelong client.
In compressors, as in life, everything comes with a cost. So save yourself the time, energy and frustration and make the right choice the first time.
To learn more about all of J&J’s financing options that make getting your dream compressor easier then click here.
And to speak to a member of our expert team about how we can begin your installation today then give us a call on 0800 0278 442 or pop us over an email to [email protected] today.
