How much air leaks really cost – Leak Survey Examples 

We all know that compressed air leaks are a huge source of energy (and money) waste, but do you know how much do they really cost? After conducting around 60 surveys in different facilities from numerous industries, using an ultrasound camera, we concluded that the average leak will cost around $1,200 per year. When you think that any industrial site will have dozens or even hundreds of leaks, you can quickly realize the savings potential. 

As energy prices rose up to historical peaks, compressed air leaks have also become more expensive than ever. In these times, finding and repairing those wasteful leaks must be a priority for any maintenance team looking to cut down on energy waste. Knowing that, on average, approximately 10% of all energy supplied to an industrial facility will be used for compressed air; and that the average leak rate across a site in industry is 30%, you can quickly realize that compressed air leaks will be one of the greatest sources of waste in industry.

It is well established that using ultrasound inspection instruments is the most effective way of finding leaks. Digital instruments will also record the decibel level at the leak point, which will be the basis to calculate the leak cost and elaborate reports. Normally, these are handheld and listen-only instruments – still very effective in detecting leaks, but more recently, with the deployment of ultrasound cameras, you can also see the leaks, in real time, turning leak surveys into a much more effortless and quick task.

Thus, when considering that air leaks are more expensive than ever - one leak costs an average of $1,200 per year - finding air leaks is now easier and quicker than ever. As these cameras are working by simply showing the leaks on the screen, you can find dozens of leaks in just minutes, effectively concluding that the UltraView Camera is a no-brainer for most industrial facilities.