Are you fed up with the air compressor’s noise inside your home garage and thinking of putting it outside? No doubt too loud noise disturbs especially when you are working on some projects. That’s why we always prefer buying quiet compressors because they won’t irritate you, and you can continue doing the job with full concentration. But if you already have a unit and want to shift it outside, follow our expert guide.
We recommend air compressor should be placed inside because it will remain safe from different casualties like weather conditions, moisture, dust, & many more. On the other side, some folks have less space in their home, and that’s why they decided to place it outside. We will help you safely move the compressor and guide you if is there any need for piping.
3 Crucial Factors To Keep In Mind Before Putting Air Compressor Outside
1. Temperature or Weather Conditions
When you keep the compressor outside, the temperature is the first main factor affecting the working. The average temperature for an air tool ranges from 5°C to 35°C. If the temperature goes down or up beyond that range, it will badly affect the air compressor’s performance. Let’s suppose the unit’s temperature is 5°C, the air inside the tank will become colder and if further temperature drops, you won’t be able to run your pneumatic tools effectively.
In the second case, if the temperature rises to 35°C due to hot weather, the Hose and pipes of the air compressor may expand, which can cause a pressure drop. You won’t be able to run spray guns, nailers, wrenches, and any other pneumatic tool smoothly.
Compressors can bear hot weather but not cold because in winter when the temperature drops, the air and moisture inside the tank and pipes start freezing. If the unit’s temperature rises in summer, we can turn it off and give it a break. On the cold side, we have to do some extra hard work to make the use of the compressor smooth.
2. Moisturization
Moisture is the second biggest factor that can badly affect air compressors’ health. Whether the unit is inside or outside, the water continues to collect on the surface, increasing the chances of corrosion. As rust eats metal, it can damage the compressor tank and weaken the whole body. When the body becomes weak due to rust, it can cause air leakage and sometimes an explosion. These are the dangerous consequences you can face if you place the unit outside.
3. Dust Particles
The third challenge you have to face if you want to put the compressor outside is dust particles. In the surrounding, a ton of dust will start collecting on the surface of the air tool. As you know, an air filter in the compressor protects from entering the dust inside. When the device starts getting a huge amount of dust, a time comes when it will not be able to clean the dusty air. The air will enter inside and at first disturb the movement of the piston in the air pump. That’s the reason for increasing friction between the piston and pump walls, and you will not get the desired pressure.
Due to dirty air, you won’t be able to run the pneumatic tools adequately because the dust particles will block the smooth airflow, your tool will not get the required pressure and sometimes it stops working.
Now, you know all the possible factors that can damage the compressor. But, still, is it possible to keep the unit outside? Yes, it is possible; you can follow our guidelines to do this job that will help to save your tool from any damage.
6 Ways to Protect Air Compressor (Outside the Home)
You can follow the steps below to protect your air compressor if it is outside the home.
Keep it under cover
When you are going to keep your unit outside, try to keep it where the building of your house can cover it, and there are fewer chances of facing weather conditions. Like keeping the device in the corner where a three-sided wall can protect it and decrease the effect of weather. If you have no location like this in your house, you can keep it at least where the weather effect is less, like on the lawn of the house or under a roof outside the home.
You can also build a 4-sided small box type place where the air can easily cross. It will save the unit from extra dust, rain, storms, & dampness.
Install automatic drain valves
Your air compressor will face cold and hot weather, so it’s better if you install automatic drain valves that will empty the tank daily. This way, you will get strong protection against moisture and can save your compressor from corrosion. It will also help add more days to your compressor’s life.
Insulate Hose of the compressor
Insulation is the ultimate way to save your compressor from extreme weather conditions. So, you have built a small section for the unit to save from dust, rain, and freezing temperature, but the work hasn’t finished yet. The air hose connecting the compressor and inside the piping system of your garage will also face extremely cold temperatures. As a result, the air will not pass the piping freely, and you are unable to run tools perfectly.
So, to avoid these circumstances, a great option is to insulate the air hose and pipes connected with the air compressor. This way, you can use the air tool in winter effectively.
Place it on solid
While keeping your air compressor outside, never place it on the soft ground (dirt) or moisturized ground because the bottom part will start getting moisture, resulting in corrosion. At first, the bottom part of the unit will damage and after that, the remaining. So, to prevent this issue, arrange a solid base for your compressor where the moisture can’t easily reach.
Wiring of the compressor
Before putting your compressor outdoors, remember that you must have proper quality wiring that can face weather conditions. Not like the poor wiring that becomes hot or meltdown due to weather or high voltage. You will get a smooth current flow with quality wires and can use the compressor without any interruption or voltage issues.
Ventilation for air compressor
Often, air compressors get overheated because of continuous use for hours. Undoubtedly, advanced air tools have their ventilation system, but surrounding heat also plays an important role in raising the temperature. When the temperature increases, the unit will start to shut down and disturbs your working schedule. So, to keep it cool, you have to provide a proper ventilation system to your compressor where it will remain safe from dust and get a proper cross of air; this way, the unit won’t overheat.
Conclusion
Moving the compressor outside the home is optional. We will suggest you keep it where it is protected from weather and dust. But if you have space issues in the home, ensure you follow the above steps to protect your device from corrosion, dust and weather. For more information, you can read manuals/instructions that come with the air compressor from the manufacturer’s company.
Hopefully, after reading our steps and factors, you will be able to protect your air compressor and will increase its life.
FAQs
Can you keep your air compressor in the rainy weather?
Keeping air compressors in rainy weather is dangerous as the rain will cause rust/ corrosion on the surface, which will destroy the compressor in a few days. So, we will never suggest you keep it outside the home during rain or rainy season.
Where to keep air compressor outside the home?
The best place to keep an air compressor outside the home is solid ground surrounded by at least two to three walls. In this way, your compressor will be remain protected from the weather.
Can I keep the air compressor in the garage?
Yes, you can keep your air compressor in the garage as it is very common. A lot of people keep their air compressor in the garage. So, there are not any issues with keeping it in the garage.
Can you keep an air compressor outside in the winter?
Yes, there is no issue in putting the compressor outside until you have followed our instructions for cold weather. In a nutshell, you have to do proper insulation of hoses and arrange a heater for the compressor in winter to use it smoothly.
Can you store an air compressor in a shed?
Yes, if you have done proper insulation and ventilation, you can keep the compressor in a shed. This is a great way to save your unit from rain, dust, & moisture. So, make a shed considering all the factors that we discussed above and enjoy using the tool outside.