What's the difference between an "economy" compressor, a "commercial" compressor, and an "industrial" compressor?
Answer: Most products you buy fall into quality-grades that affect the initial investment and the long term cost / life of the product. We group compressors into good, better, and best as follows:
Good: Having a compressor vs. not having a compressor is always a "good" thing. "Good" compressors are: frequently made and /or labeled by non-recognized brand name companies, economy or consumer grade quality, have a conditional warranty (maybe), lack local service support, have a "limited" availability of repair parts, the compressor pumps are normally a diaphragm type or piston with a short life span—aluminum lined cylinder(s), have low duty-cycle—not rated for continuous use, compressor will need to rest during part of each work hour or pump damage will occur, and the machines are very loud during operation (>80 dBA).
Typical advantages: available almost everywhere, and they are very inexpensive to purchase.
Better: Brand name manufacturer, commercial grade, limited warranty (typically 1-yr. or 2-yr.), parts readily available at authorized service centers, reciprocating (piston) compressor type, solid cast iron cylinder(s), 70%-80% duty cycle (compressor will need to rest during part of each work hour... if allowed to run "hot" they will pass oil... resulting in the air-end breaking), long life span (based on work conditions and maintenance), mild to loud during operation (65 dBA to 85 dBA).
Typical advantages: less expensive than rotary compressors, available in sizes from 2-hp to 30-hp.
Best: Brand name manufacturer, industrial grade, limited warranty (typically 5-yr.), parts readily available at authorized service centers, rotary (screw) compressor type, 100% duty cycle, very long life span, quiet during operation (with enclosure option—60 dBA to 75 dBA).
Typical advantages: • 100% duty-cycle—designed for continuous use 7/24/365 • Available in 3 hp to 200 hp sizes • Are very quiet (60 dBA - 70 dBA) • Can be fitted with controls to adjust HP as needed for lower electric bills
