When evaluating blower systems, maintenance costs are often underestimated but can have a major impact on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). These costs can be broken down into two main categories: routine maintenance and non-routine repairs. Choosing a blower with simplified maintenance and accessible parts can significantly reduce long-term expenses and downtime.
Regular upkeep is essential to maintaining blower efficiency, but the cost and complexity of routine maintenance vary widely across different technologies. Some blowers require costly service contracts and proprietary parts, forcing plants to rely on the manufacturer for even basic maintenance.
Inovair Geared Centrifugal Blowers simplify maintenance with just four easily replaceable components, allowing plant personnel to handle servicing in-house. These parts are readily available and locally sourced, cutting both costs and lead times. In contrast, many blower manufacturers restrict access to replacement parts and require all purchases to go through them—often at inflated prices. Some even void warranties if third-party parts are used, increasing long-term financial burdens.
Beyond routine upkeep, facilities must also consider the cost of unexpected repairs due to external factors such as electrical surges, flooding, debris damage, or improper installation. Certain blower technologies are inherently more susceptible to these risks, leading to frequent failures and costly repairs.
One major issue is dependence on proprietary components, which can significantly increase both repair costs and lead times. In some cases, facilities may even be forced to rent a replacement blower while waiting for repairs, further driving up operational expenses. Additionally, some blower technologies experience post-repair efficiency losses, reducing long-term energy savings.
Where a blower is designed, built, and serviced can have a direct impact on long-term maintenance costs. Many blower manufacturers operate overseas, requiring replacement parts to be imported from Europe or Asia. This can result in extended lead times, costly shipping fees, and even situations where the blower must be sent back to the factory for service.
By contrast, Inovair blowers are designed and manufactured in the U.S., ensuring faster parts availability and service response times. With domestic support, wastewater treatment facilities can minimize downtime, avoid logistical delays, and reduce long-term maintenance costs—all while benefiting from a blower that is built for reliability and efficiency.
Inovair geared centrifugal blowers are built without the electrical component complexity seen in air bearing and magnetic bearing high-speed turbo blowers. Instead, a simpler design using industry standard components allows for easy maintenance at the plant level, as well as greater reliability. Owners of air bearing turbos are finding out that annual maintenance and/or warranty costs can reduce or exceed their annual energy savings. Inovair’s proven design allows for high efficiency, reliability and ease of maintenance.
Inovair blowers are also more reliable than PD blowers and only have an annual maintenance interval.