How compressed air is quietly shaping energy strategies

18 September 2025  

As energy costs and carbon pressures rise, compressed air systems are gaining attention. PWE spoke to Richard Hewitt, Managing Director, Anglian Compressors, who explains how
businesses can cut waste, save money, and rethink this often-overlooked utility.

Compressed air systems are often referred to as the “fourth utility” in industrial environments, essential but easily taken for granted. Yet for many businesses, they are also one of the least
efficient systems on site. As energy prices fluctuate and environmental regulations tighten, compressed air is increasingly being seen not just as a cost centre, but as an area of opportunity. Richard
Hewitt, Managing Director of Anglian Compressors, reflects on how attitudes are shifting and where businesses can find the greatest gains.

From utility to strategy

“When I joined Anglian Compressors in 2005, compressed air wasn’t really viewed through the lens of sustainability,” says Hewitt. “It was just a function something you needed to run machines. That’s changed dramatically.”

Part of that change, he notes, has been driven by the rising cost of energy. Another part is growing scrutiny on Scope 1 and 2 emissions. “Compressed air can account for up to 10% of a site’s electricity use. Yet many systems are running inefficiently through air leaks, oversized machines, or pressure levels set higher than required.”

Anglian’s role, Hewitt says, is increasingly about helping customers interrogate those systems. “We’re not just swapping out old compressors for new ones. We’re looking at how air is used across the site and what changes will deliver the most value.”

A systems approach to efficiency

A recent example involved a large-scale food producer operating across multiple sites. Their existing system, 16 individual compressors, had become increasingly difficult to manage and costly to operate.

“By redesigning the system and introducing centralised controls, we were able to replace all 16 units with just two, supported by a more efficient piping layout,” explains Hewitt. “The
result wasn’t just lower energy use, but better reliability and improved air quality in production.”

The investment, he says, will pay for itself in under three years. “That’s not unusual when you take a systems-based approach. It’s often not the compressor itself that’s the problem – it’s the
way the entire system is designed.”

He also points to low-cost measures that can deliver high impact, such as leak detection, pressure reduction, and using waste heat from compressors to offset heating demands elsewhere on site.

The technology is there – but awareness lags

Technological advances have made it easier for businesses to monitor and manage energy use, but Hewitt believes adoption is still patchy.

“We’ve worked with Bluetooth-connected controllers that allow real-time monitoring of system performance – things like pressure fluctuations, load profiles, energy consumption,” he says. “That kind of visibility is hugely valuable. But many companies still don’t realise it’s an option.”

He highlights energy recovery systems as one of the most underused tools. “Compressors produce a lot of heat. With the right setup, up to 90% of that can be recovered and used for heating water or buildings. It’s effectively free energy that’s otherwise lost.”

Hewitt is also keen to stress that compressed air suppliers shouldn’t just talk about efficiency—they should demonstrate it themselves. At Anglian’s own facility, a 64-kilowatt solar PV
system has been installed, paired with a battery storage unit that allows the company to use most of its own generated electricity on site.

“We’ve also transitioned our vehicle fleet to electric and installed smart lighting systems throughout our offices,” says Hewitt. “It’s not about optics it’s about operational logic. These
are measures we’d recommend to customers, so it makes sense to do them ourselves.”

While Anglian’s growth has coincided with advances in compressor technology -particularly through its longstanding relationship with manufacturer Atlas Copco – Hewitt believes
continuity and training have played a larger role.

“We’ve got a very low staff turnover, which is rare in this kind of technical field. That means we’ve built a strong level of expertise in-house, and customers trust us to guide them through
quite complex decisions.”

Rather than focusing on product innovation for its own sake, Hewitt says the company’s priority is practical benefit. “There’s always a new product on the horizon. The challenge is
understanding where it fits and where it doesn’t. We try to stay grounded in what the customer actually needs.”

Starting the process

For companies that haven’t previously considered compressed air as part of their energy strategy, Hewitt recommends starting with data.

“An energy audit is the first step. Often, businesses don’t know where they’re losing energy—or how much. A simple pressure test or thermal imaging scan can uncover issues that
are costing thousands of pounds a year.”

He adds that energy efficiency needs to be a shared goal. “It can’t just sit with facilities or procurement. Everyone—from finance to operations – has a role in reducing energy use.
Culture matters as much as technology.”

The Road Ahead

Looking ahead, Hewitt expects compressed air systems to play a growing role in industrial decarbonisation strategies. “As businesses set net-zero targets, they’ll need to look at every
part of their energy usage. Compressed air may not be glamorous, but the gains are real and measurable.”

He’s optimistic about what’s next. “It’s an area where you can achieve environmental and financial wins at the same time. That’s rare – and it’s why I think we’ll see much more attention
focused here in the next few years.”

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