The reason for this is that as much as 90% of all of the energy that goes into an air compressor is lost as heat. Since compressed air is an expensive utility, this presents a considerable opportunity to save energy, and even be eligible to receive an incentive from a local utility company for doing so.
Note: Many regional utility companies offer compressed air and heat recovery incentives. Find a comprehensive list of programs in Canada on the Natural Resource Canada website here. For programs in the United States of America, view the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) website here.
