Plant Utilities worked example

Air Compressor Utilization at 54% target loaded utilization: a worked example

This worked example runs the air compressor utilization numbers for a tougher week than the baseline: 54% target loaded utilization instead of the typical 75%. Measure loaded compressor utilization against available hours and target loading.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Loaded compressor hours: 510 hr (held at the documented default)
  • Available compressor hours: 720 hr (held at the documented default)
  • Target loaded utilization: 54 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 75)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Air Compressor Utilization = loaded compressor hours ÷ available compressor hours × 100.
  • Air Compressor Utilization rate works out to 70.83 % at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Gap to target works out to -16.83 points at these inputs.
  • Measured load or hours works out to 510 value at these inputs.
  • Available capacity or hours works out to 720 value at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where target loaded utilization sits at 75% and the headline result is 70.83 %, this scenario lands almost exactly on the baseline at 70.83 %.
  • Use it when reviewing compressor logs or a data-logger download to judge whether a unit is right-sized and whether load-based controls are working. A result at this level usually justifies acting on the stressed input before touching anything else, because every other figure in the table is downstream of it.

Results at a glance

  • Air Compressor Utilization rate: 70.83 % (headline result)
  • Gap to target: -16.83 points
  • Measured load or hours: 510 value
  • Available capacity or hours: 720 value

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Air Compressor Utilization calculator, set target loaded utilization to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.