Why You Should Change Your Inlet Air Filter Annually

An effective preventative maintenance plan for any air compressor should include replacing the inlet air filter on a regular basis. Our team is here to break down the purpose of the change and the air filter itself so you can keep your tool running efficiently year-round. 

What does an air filter do?

Inlet air filters are responsible for keeping debris and other large contaminants out of the copmressor. No matter the application, air entering a compressor contains some level of dirt, oil, or other debris that can damage your tool. Filtering these contaminants protects different components and helps reduce wear, reducing the likelihood of costly downtime. 

How often should I change the filter?

The general recommendation for changing an inlet air filter is every 2,000 run hours or annually, whichever comes first. After 2,000 hours the filter is no longer able to effectively filter out particulates and maintain cleanliness. 

You might be wondering what the differential pressure gauge is for if not to alert you about a needed filter change. This gauge is only designed to indiate when there has been a blockage on the filter, alerting a user of pressure spikes that could prematurely ruin a filter. Even the smallest puncture can contaminate the lubricant and damage interior compentents like temperature probes and bearings. 

Questions about changing your filter(s)?

Need assistance in finding the right component for your air compressor or changing filters correctly? Contact one of our air compressor experts by calling 866-778-6572 or sending an email to info@compressorworld.com