Howden Blowers and Screw Compressors: 7 Questions Buyers Ask When Time Is Short

Why This FAQ Exists

I've spent 12 years quoting and expediting industrial air and gas handling equipment—Howden blowers and screw compressors included. I've handled over 200 rush orders, including same-day turnarounds for chemical plants and food processors. This article is the short list of what buyers actually ask when they're in a hurry and don't want to get burned. In my role coordinating these orders, I've learned to answer without the marketing fluff. One note: my experience is based on about 200 mid-range orders in oil & gas, chemicals, and refrigerated food. If you're working on a different application, some of this won't apply to you. And this was accurate as of Q4 2024—pricing and lead times move fast, so verify before you commit.

Here's what buyers ask most:

• What's the difference between a blower and a screw compressor?
• Why is a Howden quote higher than a Milwaukee air compressor?
• Can a Howden heat exchanger serve as a hot water heater?
• What hidden costs should I ask about?
• Can you really deliver a screw compressor in an emergency?
• Why did searching 'how to clean ice maker' land me here?
• Which Howden technology is right for my plant?

1. What actually makes a Howden blower different from a screw compressor?

A blower moves air or gas at a modest pressure rise—often 3 to 15 psi. A screw compressor goes to higher pressures, sometimes 150 psi or much more, depending on the model. But the real difference is how they build pressure. A Howden roots blower uses two rotating lobes that trap gas and push it through. It's ideal for low-pressure, high-volume duties like pneumatic conveying or wastewater aeration. A screw compressor—or rather, a twin-screw type—changes the trapped volume internally; that's how it hits higher pressures in a single stage. Which one do you need? If your process pressure is under 15 psi, a blower might be enough. If you're at 40 psi and up, you're in compressor territory. Simple.

2. Why is a Howden blower quote three times higher than a Milwaukee air compressor?

Because a Milwaukee air compressor is a portable tool. A Howden blower is a process machine built to run continuously in a plant for 20 years. They're not the same category, and comparing price per horsepower misses the point. What I mean is that the 'cheaper' option isn't just about the sticker price—it's about the total cost including your time spent managing failures, the risk of downtime, and the need for a replacement way too early. I've seen a client try to save by using a bargain unit in a low-pressure continuous duty application. It lasted nine months. The downtime alone cost more than the difference. In my opinion, ask for a quote on like-for-like: flow rate, pressure, duty cycle, and noise requirements. Then compare apples to apples.

3. Can I use a Howden heat exchanger for a hot water heater?

Yes—if you're talking about an industrial hot water system, not a residential unit. Howden's heat exchangers are often used to recover waste heat and heat process water. So if you're building a new plant water loop, a Howden exchanger can definitely play a role. But let me add a caution: domestic 'hot water heater' tanks are a different world. I've gotten calls from people searching that phrase and expecting a storage tank quote. That's not what we do. We make the heat exchange equipment that would sit behind a large water heating system. If you need a dairy plant to get hot CIP water at 180°F, then yes, we're relevant. For a household unit, you're in the wrong place.

4. What hidden costs should I ask about before ordering a Howden screw compressor?

The worst kind of surprise comes after you've accepted a quote and discovered the motor isn't included. It happened to me once: I said 'blower package' and my colleague heard 'bare shaft.' We didn't realize until the crate arrived—motor missing. That's a communication failure I don't want you to repeat. So ask these questions before you accept any quote:

• Does the price include the motor? Or is it bare shaft?
• Is the coupling/baseplate included?
• What about noise enclosure, inlet filter, and discharge silencer?
• Are controls and a VFD part of the package?
• Is commissioning or startup supervision included?
• What about shipping, customs, and taxes?

A transparent vendor lists all fees upfront—even if the total looks higher. That's the one I'd pick. I've learned to ask 'what's NOT included' before 'what's the price.'

5. How fast can you actually deliver a Howden screw compressor in an emergency?

A true rush order is painful. Normal engineered-to-order lead times are around 18-24 weeks. But sometimes we can get lucky with a standard unit from a canceled order or a remanufactured machine. In March 2024, a client called at 9:00 AM needing a packaged screw compressor for a shutdown next afternoon. Normal turnaround would have been four months. We found a rebuilt unit, paid $8,000 extra in freight and inspection costs (on top of the base cost), and delivered it on site by 6:00 PM the next day. Missing that deadline would have triggered a $50,000 penalty. The client's alternative was to lose an entire line. Even after we placed the order, I kept second-guessing—what if the rebuilt unit didn't pass inspection? The hours until the plant confirmed first start were rough. That said, I'm not 100% sure that kind of turnaround will happen twice in one quarter. Rush deliveries always involve extra cost and risk. If you might need a spare, plan now. Order before the failure.

6. I found your page by searching 'how to clean ice maker'—what's the deal?

Fair question. Let me connect the dots. Ice makers—even small ones—contain a compressor and a condenser. When an ice maker stops making ice, it's rarely the 'ice maker' part. Usually the condenser is dusted over, or the compressor has lost efficiency. In industrial ammonia systems, I've seen ice plant outages caused by a condenser full of debris. Cleaning the condenser coils and checking the refrigerant pressures is the first step for any ice maker, small or industrial. If you open a freezer and the compressor is hot and cycling, start there. No, I'm not going to give you a 10-step YouTube tutorial. But cleaning coils is the same principle, whether it's a $200 ice maker or a $200,000 refrigeration unit.

7. Which Howden technology is right for my plant?

This is the question I wish more buyers asked early. My experience is based on about 200 mid-range orders across process industries, but here's the general rule: Roots blower—low pressure, high volume, dirty or clean gas, pneumatic conveying, aeration. Twin-screw compressor—high pressure, oil flooded or oil free, continuous duty, trustworthy for refrigeration, chemical, or gas boosting. Diaphragm compressor—leak-tight, pure gas, often hydrogen or specialty gases. If your process gas is corrosive or polymerizing, a screw compressor might require special coatings; if it's ultra-high purity, a diaphragm compressor may be the only honest choice. The way I see it, better to spend a day defining the pressure and flow envelope than a week arguing with a vendor after it's quoted. Oh, and if you ask for 'the best model,' I'll ask you ten questions back. That's just how it works. And to keep the comparison honest, ask for performance figures in line with ISO 1217 standards before you compare two quotes. If you're in petrochemical service, ask for an API 619-compliant screw compressor.

Final thought

That last question is the closest thing to a conclusion I'll offer. If you're in a hurry, start by writing down your operating pressure, flow range, gas composition, and footprint. Then call. The more specific you are, the faster I can give you a straight answer. Take this with a grain of salt: the industry is changing—efficiency requirements, electrification, and digital monitoring are shifting the spec conversation. But the basics of transparent purchasing haven't changed. Ask what's included, and get the warranty in writing.