5 Tips for Maintaining Your Air Compressor Filters

Air compressor filters are essential for your air filtration system and air compressor. Maintaining your air filters is necessary to reduce unnecessary downtime and costly repairs. Indoor and outdoor air is filled with contaminants captured by your air filter, which can cause damage to the system if the filter becomes too clogged or dirty. A poorly maintained air filter can also reduce the quality of an air compressor, which can reflect negatively on your business.

Keeping up with a consistent maintenance schedule is essential to improve the quality of your work. Below, you’ll learn more about the importance of maintaining air compressors, how to maintain your filters and when to replace them in your system.

Why Is Air Compressor Filter Maintenance Important?

Air compressor filters are the first line of defense in your air compressor system that prevents particles from entering the system, damaging the equipment and contaminating the process. Dirty air can degrade components of your air compressor, impacting its performance and functionality. Air filters capture these particles and prevent them from damaging your compressor or affecting your air quality.

Functional, clean filters are essential to improve the performance and extend the life span of your air compressor. Even if your workshop or facility is clean, residue and undetected particles can still linger in the air, which can get trapped in your airflow and cause clogs or other challenges. After a while, these particles can build up, which can cause your air compressor to stop functioning. These particles can also contaminate your final product.

Air compressor filter maintenance is essential to keep your equipment in good condition. Dirty air filters can make your compressor work harder than necessary, costing you more energy and requiring frequent maintenance. In some cases, air filters can get so clogged that they need to run longer to level out the tank pressure, which could cause the compressor to overheat or shut down, resulting in expensive repairs and maintenance.

Air Compressor Filter Maintenance Tips

Installing your air filter is just the first step. Properly maintaining your air filter prevents problems and overworking your air compressor. Below are some tips for how to care for a compressor filter:

1. Create a consistent maintenance schedule: The first step to maintaining your air compressor filter is creating a maintenance schedule, ensuring you stay on track and regularly service your filter. A consistent maintenance schedule should include replacements and frequent air quality monitoring. On top of self-inspections, you’ll also want to schedule preventative maintenance yearly for your air compressor. During these maintenance appointments, professional technicians can also check your filtration system and ensure it’s working correctly.
2. Clean your air compressor: Rust, dirt and other external build-ups can damage your air compressor and filters. A clean air compressor is less likely to result in a polluted airflow that can contaminate your filters. A clean air compressor also contributes to a more professional look. Every time you finish using your air compressor, you should turn it off and let it cool before wiping it down with a gentle cleaning agent or a cloth.
3. Clean filters regularly: Besides cleaning your air compressor, you’ll also want to clean your filters and filtration system. Cleaning your air filter regularly can help extend their useful life and make them more efficient at filtering particles.
4. Pay attention to air quality: Operating your air compressor outdoors is best rather than within a workshop or near other machinery, smoke, aerosol products or other potential pollutants. If you must operate your air compressor in a closed space, do your best to eliminate unnecessary contaminants and ensure the area is as well-ventilated as possible. Paying attention to air quality can help reduce the strain on your air filters and make them last longer.
5. Keep track of replacements: Air filters will need to be replaced at some point, so you’ll want to keep track of your replacements to know when to get a new air filter.

 

How Do You Clean an Air Compressor Filter?

As we mentioned above, cleaning air compressor filters is essential to maintain them properly, ensuring you can extend their useful life and improve their ability to filter particles. Your instruction guide or owner’s manual may have particular instructions regarding cleaning your compressed air filter types. If you have no instructions or manual, there are some general steps you can follow:

• First, you’ll need to turn off your air compressor and let it cool before attempting to handle it.
• Once your air compressor has cooled, unscrew and remove the top cover from the filter from the base.
• Inspect the top cover to look for any signs of damage or other problems that may cause concern.
• Remove the filter from the base and inspect it for any problems.
• Use low-pressure compressed air to blow any dust, dirt or other contaminants off the filter.
• If you want, apply a cleaning solution, let it soak and then rinse the filter thoroughly.
• If you don’t need to replace the filter, resecure it in its original place and reattach the cover.

6 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Air Compressor Filter

The recommendation is to change your air compressor filter twice a year. However, you can inspect your filter to determine how often you’ll need to replace it, which may be less or more often than recommended. Some signs that it’s time to replace your air compressor filter include the following:

1. Damaged filters: If you notice any damage when cleaning your filters, it’s likely time to change the filter. Broken or damaged air compressor filters could result in poor air quality, high energy costs and compressor damage, so it’s essential to change them as soon as you notice a problem.
2. Old filters: If it’s been a long time since you’ve changed your filter, it’s likely time to replace it. You can keep track of your filter replacements by maintaining a consistent maintenance schedule and replacing your filters at regular intervals.
3. Poor performance: If you’ve noticed that your air filters are performing poorly, even after cleaning, it’s probably time to replace the filter. If you replace your air filter and your air compressor still performs poorly, consult an expert technician to diagnose the problem.
4. Frequent filter use: If you’re using your air compressor regularly for extended periods, you’ll need to keep an eye on your filters and change them more frequently than if you were using an air compressor as needed.
5. Poor air supply quality: If your air compressor operates in a dusty, dirty or air-polluted environment, your air filters will likely need to be replaced more often due to frequent contact with contaminants. You can change your work environment when possible to reduce how often you need to replace your air filter.
6. Quality demands from businesses: If your business depends on the quality and performance of your air compressor and the purity of the air, you’ll likely need to change your air filters more often to ensure you meet your business’ quality requirements.

Contact Fluid-Aire Dynamics for Air Filter Replacements

If you need to replace your air filter, Fluid-Aire Dynamics is here to help. We offer a broad range of air filters to suit your applications, and all our products meet the necessary standards and regulations. We also offer emergency maintenance as well as repairs and service if your air compressor malfunctions or you want to set a regular maintenance schedule.

Our expert team can help improve the efficiency of your air filters, whether you need a replacement or regular preventative maintenance. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help improve our air compressor operations!