This is not simple -you can buy 1.) lowest price, 2) throw quotes on stairs and buy highest landing or lowest landing, or 3.) Make an informed valuation based upon all information as listed below. YOUR CHOICE MAY NOT BE THE LOWEST PURCHASE PRICE!
I am sure we have all seen the Sears, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Harbor Freight tool store internet air compressors. These are essentially home owner’s compressors, with no local service available. Most are not repairable as there are no parts readily available. These machines can range in cost from several hundred dollars to thousands. They can be both piston or diaphragm compressors, and some will be oil less. Their characteristics are – cheap, noisy, usually not repairable, and not rated like industrial compressors. The HP stated can be the locked motor HP, and not the operating HP, so they look better than they are.
Industrial air compressors are usually sold by distributors who stock machines and parts. They have trucks for delivery and factory trained service repair people for start up, warranty, shop or field repairs, and replacements. In Florida, these companies must be licensed and have a mechanical contracting license.
Types of air compressors vary with size. For decades, the workhorse of small business has been the 5 HP tank mounted electric, two stage, piston air cooled, air compressor. This air compressor is operating on either 230 volt single phase or 230/460 volt three phase electric and at pressures of 125 and 175 PSI. The American power companies like to offer 200 and 208 volts, and the electric motor companies offer motors at 200/400 or 230/460 volts. It can be a challenge to find the correct combination.
Available in the size of 1/3 to 10 HP is:
Diaphragm compressors– Inexpensive, loud. Light duty
Small compressors sold by discount stores- Light duty, loud, not always repairable
Industrial piston compressors– Good value last ten or more years, noisy, reliable 70% duty cycle, easy and inexpensive to service
Rotary oil flooded screw Compressors– Good value but expensive, quiet, last ten or more years, needs experienced people to service which can be costly, 100 % duty cycle
Rotary scroll compressors– Can be oil free, replacement after 10,000 hours
Rotary Vane Compressors- Mostly oil flooded, can have oil carry over, can be more expensive electrically to run part load, service not always available, relatively long life, may be more expensive.
Larger than 10 HP is:
Rotary oil flooded screw compressors- this type of machine dominates this market and is available from 3 to 400 HP, reliable, 100 % duty cycle normally operating between 125 175 PSI and can be air or water cooled. Higher pressure is available as well as two stage units. These machines can be weather protected or noise suppressed with enclosures.
Rotary vane compressors are available through 50 HP
Very large air compressors, low pressure compressors, and process gas compressors are all available for special applications.
We offer the best brands: