If you are wondering about air compressor servicing and what should be on your air compressor maintenance checklist, then look no further. We have put together the essentials here and included a handy pdf you can download, print and put up by your air compressor.
This article will cover:
- Key maintenance tasks
- A weekly, monthly and quarterly checklist
- The difference between maintenance and professional servicing
- How often you should be servicing your air compressor
Before we dive in, remember – compressor output will deteriorate by more than 10% without proper maintenance.
Five key air compressor maintenance tasks
A detailed air compressor maintenance checklist is essential, and we will get to that, but these five key maintenance tasks should be the foundation of your maintenance routine.
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Read the manufacturers user manual
Often overlooked, this manual contains essential information on the limitations of your air compressor and safety guidelines.
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Clean the air intake filter regularly
Your air compressor has to work harder to intake the air if the intake filter element is heavily contaminated. Its compression capacity is affected adversely and you will get less air delivered per kW. Ensure that the intake filter of your compressor is clean at all times, more so if you’re operating it in a dirty or dusty environment.
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Drain the tanks of condensate regularly
The receiver/tank will accumulate moisture from the air being compressed, more so if you’re operating it a humid environment. More condensate inside the receiver means less storage capacity. Install an automatic no-loss drain, this will ensure this is never overlooked.
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Clean heat exchangers
The heat exchangers work to reduce the operating temperature of the air compressor. By keeping the operating temperatures down, the compressors are able to function at their optimum. However, if the heat exchangers are dirty, they won’t be able to do their job well, hindering the compressor’s performance and reducing its life span.
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Service your air compressor
When using a lubricated air compressor, it’s important that the oil level is checked daily. Other parts on the air compressor require periodic servicing (oil change, oil filter, air filter, oil separator, belts/drive coupling) all require changing to keep the air compressor running at its optimum level and to avoid breakdowns.
Weekly, monthly and quarterly air compressor maintenance checklist
This list is designed to be checks you can do on site. If you feel more comfortable having a compressed air engineer complete the checks then give us a ring. Our support for customers varies depending on their needs, some we visit yearly others we visit monthly to help them work on condition monitoring alongside air compressor servicing. Everything is tailored to prolonging the life of the air compressor, ensuring efficient operation and avoiding production downtime.
Weekly air compressor maintenance
- Check oil level
- Check readings on display
- Check that condensate is discharged during operation
- Drain condensate (compressed air receiver)
- Check the pressure dew-point temperature (compressors with integrated dryer)
- Check coolers, clean if necessary
- On Full-Feature units: check condenser of dryer and clean if necessary
- Check the filter element of the electric cabinet (if applicable). Replace if necessary.
Monthly air compressor maintenance
- For units with built-in dryer: Inspect condenser of dryer and clean if necessary. Press the button on top of the electronic water drain (EWD). Open the manual drain valve(s) (Dm, DM1) to clean the filter inside the EWD.
Quarterly air compressor maintenance
- Remove the air filter element and inspect. Replace damaged or heavily contaminated elements.
- Check your compressor run hours, are you due to have a service?
Download the air compressor maintenance checklist
Here is a printable air compressor maintenance checklist – click to download.
Maintenance vs professional air compressor servicing
Day to day maintenance is important and often an obligation of a service contract, but it isn’t the same as professional air compressor servicing. Operator checks like cleaning filters and draining condensate, help keep things running, but they only cover the basics.
Professional servicing goes deeper. Our engineers carry out full safety checks, inspect internal components, and verify pressures, temperatures and control systems. These are areas operators can’t access, but they make the biggest difference to reliability and efficiency.
Regular servicing also protects compliance and warranty requirements. Many issues (worn belts, ageing separators, restricted coolers) develop gradually and aren’t visible from the outside. If left unspotted, they shorten component life, increase energy use and raise the risk of unplanned downtime.
In short: maintenance keeps your compressor going day to day; professional servicing keeps it performing at its best.
❓Did you know:
Non-genuine spare parts can affect your air compressors performance and energy efficiency. Worse, they can cause permanent damage. Treat your machine with respect and it will last a long time.
How often should an air compressor be serviced?
The right servicing interval depends on how hard your compressor works and the conditions it’s operating in.
Light vs heavy usage
For light, intermittent use, a compressor will be able to go longer between services compared to busy production environments. If the compressor is running daily or close to capacity, servicing is needed more frequently to stay ahead of wear and tear.
Dirty or dusty environments
If the compressor is exposed to dust, moisture or airborne contaminants, filters and coolers clog much faster. In these settings, shorter service intervals are essential. Staying on top of servicing helps prevent overheating, reduced airflow and premature component failure.
Manufacturer recommendations
Every compressor has a recommended service schedule based on running hours and operating conditions. Following these intervals protects performance and helps maintain warranty compliance. Our engineers service to manufacturer standards to keep your equipment in line with best practice.
Risks of extending service intervals
Delaying servicing might seem like a small saving, but it usually costs more in the long run. Oil degrades, separators lose efficiency, leaks develop and temperatures rise - all of which increase energy use and the risk of breakdowns. Regular servicing keeps your compressor reliable, safe and working at maximum efficiency.
Protect your compressor with professional servicing
If you’re due a service or unsure when your compressor was last checked - now’s the time. Regular servicing reduces breakdowns, improves efficiency and extends the life of your machine.