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Why a Compressed Air Survey Is the First Step Toward Sustainability | DIRECTAIR®

Written by DIRECTAIR® Insights Team | Jul 3, 2025 12:00:00 PM

Why a Compressed Air Survey Is the First Step Toward Sustainability

Compressed air is costing you more than you think. As energy prices continue to rise and sustainability expectations increase, manufacturers are taking a closer look at how compressed air systems impact both operational costs and environmental performance. While compressed air is essential to production, it remains one of the least efficient utilities in most facilities, consuming significant energy with limited visibility into usage and waste.

So how do you improve compressed air efficiency and drive measurable sustainability impacts?

A compressed air survey is the starting point. DIRECTAIR® facilitates third-party technical and financial surveys that provide manufacturers with the visibility they need to identify inefficiencies, decrease emissions, and make smarter, long-term improvements. Whether your goal is to reduce air compressor energy costs, decrease your carbon footprint, or modernize outdated infrastructure, the survey provides a clear path forward.

 

Compressed Air Survey vs. Air Evaluation 

An air evaluation looks at how your system is performing on the surface. It checks factors such as pressure settings, equipment condition, and layout to ensure everything is running efficiently.

A compressed air survey takes it further. It tracks real-time usage, closely examines energy performance, uncovers opportunities to reduce air compressor energy costs, and ties everything back to your sustainability and reliability goals.

 

What the Compressed Air Survey Includes

The survey facilitated through DIRECTAIR® is conducted by a trusted third-party engineering partner. It provides a detailed look at how your system is performing today, where it is falling short, and what changes can be made to support compressed air efficiency and emissions reduction.

The process includes:

  • A review of usage patterns, pressure settings, and equipment loading
  • Energy benchmarking and system efficiency calculations
  • An evaluation of equipment condition, piping layout, and control strategies
  • A full cost breakdown including energy, maintenance, downtime, and rentals
  • A recommendation summary with improvement opportunities and payback modeling

 

Common Issues Identified in the Compressed Air Survey 

Compressed air systems often contain hidden inefficiencies that slowly drive up energy use and emissions. These issues typically go unnoticed during day-to-day operations but have a significant impact on compressed air efficiency.

Common findings include:

  • Leaks in piping or fittings
  • Pressure levels set higher than necessary
  • Equipment running unloaded or underutilized
  • Obstructed filters and dryers
  • Poorly configured piping causing pressure drops
  • Lack of automation or system controls
  • Systems running during non-production hours

Each of these contributes to wasted energy, increased emissions, and unnecessary maintenance. Identifying and correcting them helps advance your facility’s compressed air system optimization efforts and brings you closer to your sustainability targets.

 

Why Sustainability Starts with Air

Compressed air may not be the first place you look when building a sustainability strategy, but it is often one of the most effective. A compressed air survey gives your team the technical data, financial justification, and operational clarity to make system-level changes that reduce both cost and carbon emissions.

Sustainability benefits of compressed air surveys include:

  • Lower total energy consumption
  • Reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions
  • Increased system reliability and uptime
  • Fewer unplanned maintenance issues
  • Longer equipment life
  • Improved visibility and system control
  • Qualification for utility rebates or energy-saving incentives

Compressed air survey results can be used to inform internal sustainability initiatives and support energy reporting efforts tied to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) or efficiency certifications.

 

The First Step Toward Smarter, Cleaner Air 

Most in-house teams are focused on day-to-day operations. They often lack the time or visibility to fully evaluate compressed air efficiency or uncover the waste hiding in plain sight. That’s why we bring in trusted third-party experts to conduct a comprehensive survey of your system.

This survey isn’t a one-size-fits-all assessment. It’s the first step in determining how DIRECTAIR® can drive meaningful improvements across your operations. The goal is straightforward: expose inefficiencies, cut emissions, stabilize system performance without requiring capital investment.

See how we’ve helped manufacturers save nearly $420 million in energy costs and eliminate nearly 4 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions by delivering clean, efficient, and fully managed compressed air.

Don't let your compressed air system drain energy and dollars from your operations. Contact DIRECTAIR® today and let us show you where your system leaks value and how to fix it for good.