Home Air Compressors – Buying Tips
Are you in the market and trying to decide between the many home air compressors available? Have you begun searching the ads and visiting stores but are still uncertain as to what you need. Taking a few minutes to read this now may save you time and money, so you may want to keep these things in mind while making your selection of an air compressor system.
The first step is to decide what your compressor will be used for and where it will be used. Are you going to use the compressor indoors or outdoors? Is it for lengthy projects, or just to blow up the occasional tire or basketball? Not only do air compressors come in many shapes and sizes, they also come in a variety of horsepower strengths, as well as power supplies. For example, portable air compressors take up little space, which can be good for home use, but they will generally need to run for the duration of your project. This is ok if your needs are minor; however, if any long term projects are in your future, then you may need to consider something with some storage capacity.
Will you be using air compressor tools, such as air nailers or say an air sander? If so, then you need to consider the horse power of the compressor. Generally speaking, a horse power of at least one and a half times the needs of your tools is acceptable. If you have much less, then you risk being under powered in your time of need. Too much strength and you are paying for power you do not need.
Will your use of the home air compressors available fall into larger outdoor jobs requiring more power and overall air flow then the average home user? If so, a gas powered air compressor system with a higher air flow, or CFM (cubic feet per minute) and decent storage capacity could be for you. Maybe your needs are a bit less demanding, in which case one of the electrically powered portable air compressors will probably be enough to get the job done. Either way, selecting an air compressor rated one and a half times higher then that of the air tool accessories you will use should be sufficient. Any more then that and you may be wasting money on more tools then you need.
Home air compressor sales are considerably new, and as such are generally unfamiliar to most people. Taking the time to consider your needs as well as the abilities of most home air compressors now will ensure that you have the power you need. Making a hasty decision can mean spending more then you need on a machine bigger than necessary for the compressor tools you will use, or not powerful enough to run the tools you need.
By Home Improvements Editor
