Compressed Air Pressure Drop: The Hidden Cost Draining UK Industrial Businesses
What Is Pressure Drop in a Compressed Air System?
Pressure drop occurs when compressed air loses pressure between the compressor and the point of use.
In industrial environments, this is commonly caused by:
Undersized or outdated compressed air pipework
Corroded steel pipes restricting airflow
Poor system layout with excessive bends and restrictions
Incorrect fittings, couplings, and connectors
High-demand tools operating at the end of long pipe runs
When pressure drops, businesses compensate by turning the pressure up — forcing the compressor to work harder than necessary.
How Pressure Drop Increases Energy and Running Costs
For every 1 bar increase in system pressure, energy consumption rises by approximately 7%.
That means:
Higher electricity bills
Increased compressor run hours
More frequent servicing and breakdowns
Reduced lifespan of compressors and tools
Many UK businesses assume their compressor is underpowered, when in reality the compressed air system design is the real issue.
Why Most Industrial Sites Never Fix the Root Cause
Traditional air compressor suppliers focus on selling machines — not optimising the entire system.
Pipework, air distribution, and demand profiling are often overlooked, leading to oversized compressors, wasted energy, and ongoing performance issues.
Air Demand takes a different approach.
How Air Demand Improves Compressed Air Efficiency
We start by understanding air demand, not just compressor size.
Our solutions typically include:
✔ Optimised Compressed Air Pipework
We supply and install modern galvanised and aluminium pipe systems that reduce friction, prevent internal corrosion, and maintain consistent pressure across your site.
✔ Smarter System Design
Correct pipe sizing, ring mains, efficient routing, and properly positioned drops ensure air reaches tools without unnecessary pressure loss.
✔ Correct Compressor Matching
We ensure your air compressor matches real demand — avoiding oversizing, excessive cycling, and wasted energy.
✔ Long-Term Cost Reduction
Lower operating pressure, reduced energy usage, fewer breakdowns, and predictable performance.
The Commercial Benefits of Fixing Pressure Drop
Businesses that address pressure drop in their compressed air systems often achieve:
Immediate improvement in tool performance
Reduced system pressure by 0.5–1 bar
Lower energy costs
Extended compressor lifespan
Avoided capital spend on unnecessary upgrades
All without replacing the compressor.
Industrial Compressed Air Solutions That Make Sense
If your tools feel underpowered, operators keep adjusting pressure, or energy bills continue to rise, pressure drop is likely costing your business more than you realise.
Air Demand Ltd provides practical, system-wide compressed air solutions for UK industrial businesses — focused on efficiency, reliability, and long-term savings.
Smarter air. Lower costs. Better performance.
