Compressed air is a critical utility to many industries, including the wine industry, performing a range of wine production functions including grape processing (crushing, pressing, cooling, heating, filtering, drying), as well as receiving and bottling the end product.

Its versatility and convenience make compressed air essential to a diverse range of applications, with approximately 15% of all industrial electricity consumption in Australia going to generating compressed air.

What many businesses do not realise, however, is just how energy intensive compressed air is, with almost 90% of the electrical input energy being converted to waste heat. This means only 10% of the remaining energy is compressed air energy – only 10%! Additionally, compressed air systems are often poorly set-up, maintained and controlled which creates further inefficiencies, it is not unusual to find a system using only 50% of compressed air productively.

If your system is not running as well as it could, then you are using more electricity than is required. Wasting energy is wasting money. Fortunately, a professional audit and assessment of your system can reveal surprising opportunities to reduce your energy consumption and overall business cost.

CAPS Australia has developed a fully proprietary auditing package, designed to give a full view of your compressed air system. It is non-invasive, low-cost and simple to undertake yet provides highly valuable insights into the operation and efficiency of your system.

Typically, CAPS expect to find savings up to 15%, and it’s not uncommon to find savings beyond 50% in electricity with payback well within two to three years.

Recently CAPS were able to generate some excellent outcomes for one of their customers. The implemented solution included replacement equipment along with a number of improvements to the system, the combined approach achieving:

• A 20% reduction in electricity consumption, with a payback on capital investment within two years
• 30% savings in long-term maintenance costs
• Improved air quality
• More stable pressure to the customers’ demands, meaning greater and more consistent productivity

Having conducted over 500 compressed air audits across Australia, CAPS have uncovered millions of dollars in potential savings for customers. Their expert team holds a highly respected voice in the compressed air industry due to a professional approach, industry-leading equipment, processes and specially developed air audit software to ensure consistent and accurate results.

Keen to find out how much your Winery could save?

CAPS is offering your winery an obligation-free air (level 1) audit with CAPS, whose team will perform an efficient health-check of your compressed air system. You will receive a report complete with expert recommendations that are geared to deliver long-term savings and improved efficiency. Contact us to inquire further.