Pressure drop — the loss of pressure between your compressor and your tools — is one of the most common and costly problems in compressed air systems across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
It wastes energy, reduces equipment performance, and often leads businesses to think they need a bigger compressor when the real problem is their distribution system.
Total system pressure drop should not exceed 10 PSI from the compressor to the most remote point of use. In poorly designed or expanded systems, we regularly see pressure drop of 20, 30, or even 40 PSI — meaning the compressor is running at unnecessarily high pressure and consuming far more electricity than needed.
📏 Undersized pipe — the most common cause. Pipe sized for original demand becomes inadequate as operations expand.
📐 Too many fittings and direction changes — each elbow and tee adds pressure drop.
🔴 Dirty or undersized filters — clogged filters create significant restriction.
🔧 Long, small-diameter hoses at point of use — a frequent culprit that’s easy to overlook.
💧 Leaks being compensated by higher set pressure — a sign the real problem is upstream.
A compressed air system audit identifies the sources and magnitude of pressure drop. Typical solutions include upsizing key pipe sections, adding a distribution loop, replacing undersized hoses, and upgrading filters.
Fixing pressure drop lets you lower your compressor’s set pressure — directly reducing electricity consumption.
Motion Air Compressors performs compressed air system audits that identify pressure drop, locate leaks, and recommend distribution improvements — often finding energy savings that pay for the audit many times over. We serve businesses across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and throughout BC.
How do I measure pressure drop in my compressed air system?
The simplest method is to measure pressure at the compressor outlet and at the most remote point of use simultaneously, under operating load. The difference is your system pressure drop. A qualified technician can perform a more detailed assessment that identifies where the drop is occurring.
What is the maximum acceptable pressure drop in a compressed air system?
The widely accepted guideline is no more than 10 PSI of total pressure drop from the compressor to the most remote point of use. Many facilities have pressure drops of 20–40 PSI — which means the compressor is set far higher than it needs to be, wasting significant energy.
Will fixing pressure drop reduce my electricity bill?
Yes, directly. Every 2 PSI reduction in compressor outlet pressure reduces energy consumption by approximately 1%. If you can lower your compressor’s set pressure by 20 PSI because you’ve eliminated distribution losses, that’s roughly a 10% reduction in compressed air energy costs.
Ready to get started? Contact Motion Air Compressors today — we come to you across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Whistler, Vancouver Island, and throughout BC.
