Prepare Your Air Compressor Room for Winter

When Freezing temperatures are coming, its is time to prepare your compressor room for winter. 

Here are 5 tips to consider:

1. Monitor and Regulate Your Compressor Room Temperature
Keep the ambient temp above 45º F, while also allowing for cooling air flow and/or heat removal. You may need to adjust the mix of cooling air flow with outside and inside cooling air. Adding a space heater can maintain warmth during periods when the compressed air equipment is off. This can help to prevent a non-restart scenario, usually caused by cold, viscous lubricant.

2. Protect All Condensate Sources from Exposure
Ensure protection against freezing temperatures of all components that store or transport condensate. This includes oil/water separators, condensate drain lines, and piping or tanks that may accumulate water in your system. Test your condensate drains and ensure timer drains have power to purge the condensate. If you have drain lines running outside of your building, heat trace tape is recommended.

3. Check the Vulnerabilities of Your Compressor Room
Identify any drafty areas of the room and insulate as needed to avoid cold air getting in. Equipment that is installed near or at outside facing walls may freeze if it is subjected to low temperatures.

4. Check Outside Air Lines
Bag houses and dust collectors can freeze, even if you have a refrigerated dryer. A small, properly-sized desiccant-style dryer at the point of use will keep these lines free of moisture and prevent potential freeze-ups.

5. Recover Heat (and save on energy costs!)
Air compressors generate a significant amount of heat, which can be recovered and used to lower overall energy costs. If you have a louver or fan system, remember to shift it to the recovery position. This will dump the heat back into the designated space.

John Bouchard & Sons compressed air system experts are here to support you in these efforts to successfully ‘weather’ the winter temps. Our team of technicians and application specialists are standing by to assist with the preventative maintenance, service and repair of your compressed air equipment. We have extensive experience with all major compressor brands

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