Pricing and Costs of Air Compressors

Use your equipment to find the best gas, electric or reciprocating air compressors

When your business depends on air compressors for industrial or medical use, an important aspect of your budget is the pricing and costs of air compressors. Air pressure ratings, tank capacity and horsepower all come into play when choosing the correct compressor. While there are varying price ranges for industrial air compressors, the ultimate deciding factor of which compressor to by will be your equipment.

There are three basic types of air compressors: gas, electric and reciprocating. You must use gas compressors in well ventilated areas. They are the most expensive type of air compressor. Electric compressors are next in line price wise. Electric compressors are perfect for on site use in medical facilities or for commercial buyers who plan to use the compressor in a stationary environment. Reciprocating air compressors are the least expensive of the three choices, but are not adequate for long-term, continuous use. Keep the following in mind as you consider your business needs for an air compressor:

1. Use a low cost reciprocating air compressor for intermittent use.

2. Purchase industrial gas powered air compressors for commercial use in well ventilated areas.

3. Find providers of an electric air compressor for stationary use in medical and commercial industries.

 

Locate suppliers of air compressors that specialize in reciprocating air compressors

Reciprocating air compressors are best for intermittent use. They can be portable or stationary, depending on the size and intent of use. Reciprocating air compressors start in the low $500 range and increase from there depending on the horse power and air tank capacity.
Try: A company that stocks reciprocating air compressors is National Tool Warehouse. This company sells air compressors for discounted prices. The Air Compressor Super Store carries a wide variety of reciprocating air compressors, including name brands at competitive prices.

Find air compressor companies that carry gas-powered, portable air compressors for industrial use

You can use gas-powered air compressors in almost any well ventilated area. This makes them perfect for construction use and any other industry that requires a portable compressor. Gas-powered air compressors are the most expensive and the most powerful air compressor. Expect a price of $12,000 and up for a gas-powered air compressor with around 180 CFM at 120 PSI and $700 and up for a small 5.5 HP compressor.
Try: Northern Tool + Equipment is an industrial supply specialist that carries a wide range of gas-powered air compressors. It carries small compressors that you can transport in the bed of a truck, large compressors that you can tow behind a vehicle and everything in between. ToolBarn.com is another provider of gas-powered air compressors. It offers discounted prices on all of its compressors to contractors and home users.

Price an electric air compressor for stationary medical and commercial use

You can safely use an electric air compressors indoors. Because electric compressors must constantly connect to a power source, they are not ideal for portability. The price range on electric air compressors starts in the low $300 range for a basic air compressor and extends to $5,000 for one with 10 horsepower, two stages and full electric-driven functions.
Try: Ohio Power Tool offers many electric air compression solutions. Choose from a single-stage, double-stack air compressor or a 10 horsepower, two-stage, fully electric driven, fully packaged air compressor from this vendor. Grainger is another air compressor company. Its inventory of air compressors includes a wide variety of electric compressors from 1.3 to 5 horsepower, each having differing features.

 

• Choose an air compressor that has 1.5 stronger CFM than your tool requires. When multiple tools will be running on an air compressor, add each of the tools CFM together then multiply the sum by 1.5 to get the CFM you will need in an air compressor.

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