Services
Air Compressor Service Agreements
Choose the maintenance route that fits your equipment and the way your site operates. Search Air is an employee-owned Atlas Copco Premier Distributor offering three clear options. Atlas Copco Guardian service plans support new Atlas Copco compressors, dryers, nitrogen generators and oxygen generators. Standard service contracts cover existing compressed air equipment, while ad-hoc planned servicing avoids a long-term commitment.
Each route keeps servicing planned rather than leaving maintenance until a fault interrupts production. The differences are in equipment eligibility, cost structure, contract length and the level of cover and support. This page sets out those differences so you can identify the right starting point before we confirm the exact scope in writing.
Why planned preventative maintenance matters
Air compressors can continue running while filters, lubricants and other service items approach their replacement point. The compressed air system may use more energy before a fault makes the loss of efficiency obvious. Planned preventative maintenance places each inspection and service against the manufacturer’s recommendations, the machine’s annual running hours and the conditions on site.
That makes maintenance easier to organise around production. Parts can be specified in advance, service visits can be planned, and the cost can be handled through a fixed agreement or an individual quote. Atlas Copco service plan guidance (atlascopco.com) describes how scheduled maintenance, genuine parts and connected monitoring are used in its manufacturer plans. Correctly timed work also avoids replacing service items before they are due. We review the machine and its use rather than adding unnecessary visits.
Reactive repair still has a place when equipment fails. It is not a substitute for routine maintenance. A planned route gives your site a clear record of what is due, what has been completed and what needs attention next.
Compare your three service plan options
The table shows the confirmed headline differences. Your written proposal will define the equipment covered, service intervals and any plan-specific inclusions before work begins.
| Feature | Atlas Copco Guardian | Standard contract | Ad-hoc servicing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Highest planned support for eligible new equipment | Predictable servicing for existing equipment | Planned servicing without a long-term service contract |
| Equipment | New Atlas Copco compressors, dryers, nitrogen generators and oxygen generators | Existing compressed air equipment from any manufacturer | Equipment placed on an agreed service schedule |
| Schedule | Manufacturer schedule based on annual running hours | Planned in accordance with annual running hours and the OEM recommended service schedule | We contact you when service is due |
| Planned service scope | Planned service spares, breakdown spares, oil and labour | Parts, labour, travel and mileage for compressors and ancillary equipment | Defined and quoted for each visit |
| Cost basis | Tailored fixed price for the agreed equipment, annual running hours and service regime. Reviewed if hours change. | Tailored fixed price based on equipment, expected annual running hours and OEM service schedule | Quoted and paid for when each service is due |
| Agreement length | Set out in the proposal | One to five years | No long-term commitment |
| SMARTLINK | SMARTLINK Uptime included | Not included as standard | Not included as standard |
| Warranty | Atlas Copco extended warranty protection, subject to manufacturer terms | No manufacturer warranty cover | No manufacturer warranty |
| Overhauls | Included when required by agreed annual running hours | Major overhauls quoted separately when due | Quoted before work if required |
| Breakdown repairs | Breakdown parts included. Breakdown labour included during 08:00–16:30 Monday–Friday. | Breakdown repairs, parts and labour quoted separately | Breakdown repairs, parts and labour quoted separately |
| Emergency support | 24-hour emergency call-out access | 24-hour emergency call-out access | Available when required, quoted separately |
| Out-of-hours work | Additional charge outside 08:00–16:30 Mon–Fri | Quoted separately | Quoted separately |
| Temporary hire equipment | Temporary hire available, subject to availability and charged separately | Temporary hire available, subject to availability and charged separately | Temporary hire available, subject to availability and charged separately |
Atlas Copco Guardian service plans
Best for: new Atlas Copco compressors, dryers, nitrogen generators and oxygen generators requiring extended warranty and comprehensive service support. Guardian follows the recommended preventative maintenance schedule for the equipment. The timing is based on agreed annual running hours.
This is the manufacturer-aligned route. Maintenance is carried out by manufacturer-trained engineers using genuine Atlas Copco parts and approved oil. The tailored price is fixed for the agreed equipment, annual running hours and service regime. We review the service regime and pricing if the operating hours change.
Guardian eligibility and servicing
- Available for new Atlas Copco compressors, dryers, nitrogen generators and oxygen generators
- Planned to the manufacturer’s schedule and annual running hours
- Genuine manufacturer parts and approved lubricants
- Manufacturer-trained engineers
Monitoring, pricing and warranty
- SMARTLINK Uptime included with every Guardian service plan
- Fixed pricing for the agreed equipment, running hours and service regime, reviewed if hours change
- Atlas Copco extended warranty protection, subject to the manufacturer’s terms
SMARTLINK Uptime monitors the agreed annual running hours. Guardian includes all scheduled service spares, all breakdown spares, oil and breakdown labour during normal working hours from 08:00 to 16:30, Monday to Friday. Customers also receive access to the 24-hour emergency call-out programme. Out-of-hours maintenance and repair work carries an additional charge. Overhauls are included when required by the agreed annual running hours. Standby compressors for maintenance or repairs are excluded. Temporary hire is available separately, subject to availability and charged additionally.
How warranties fit with air compressor service agreements
A manufacturer warranty and a service agreement cover different parts of the maintenance relationship.
Guardian provides Atlas Copco extended warranty protection, subject to the manufacturer’s terms and conditions. The equipment must be serviced regularly by us in line with Atlas Copco’s recommended preventative maintenance schedule. The plan is based on agreed annual running hours, monitored through SMARTLINK Uptime. If the operating hours change, we will review the service regime and pricing and notify you of any required adjustment.
Standard service contracts and ad-hoc servicing do not include manufacturer warranty cover. If the compressor is already covered by a warranty, tell us during the site survey so we can check the service route against its terms.
Standard service contracts
Best for: existing compressed air equipment from any manufacturer where you want predictable costs without the Atlas Copco extended warranty included in Guardian. A standard contract follows the original equipment manufacturer’s service schedule.
This route suits sites with an established compressor or a mixed equipment base. Planned servicing includes the required parts, labour, travel and mileage for compressors and ancillary equipment. The fixed contract price covers the agreed planned service regime. The price is based on expected annual running hours and the relevant OEM service schedule. Standard agreements are available from one to five years.
What the standard contract includes
- Suitable for existing compressed air equipment from any manufacturer
- Planned in accordance with annual running hours and the OEM recommended service schedule
- Parts, labour, travel and mileage included for planned servicing
- Fixed servicing price
- Contract term of one to five years
Breakdowns and additional charges
Standard contracts do not include manufacturer warranty cover. Customers have access to the 24-hour emergency call-out programme. Breakdown repairs, parts and labour are quoted separately. Major overhauls are quoted separately when due. The proposal will state the agreed scope and any additional work before the contract starts.
Ad-hoc planned servicing
Best for: sites that want us to manage the service schedule without entering a long-term contract. We record when servicing is due, contact you at the appropriate point and provide a quote for that visit.
You then decide whether to proceed. This keeps maintenance visible and planned while preserving control over each purchase decision. It can work well for equipment with a straightforward schedule, sites that prefer to approve expenditure visit by visit, or businesses that are not ready to commit to a fixed-term maintenance contract.
How ad-hoc servicing works
- We manage the due-date record for planned servicing
- You are contacted when the next service is due
- Each visit is quoted separately
- You choose whether to approve the visit
The trade-off is that costs are agreed one visit at a time rather than fixed across a contract period. The scope is agreed separately for each visit.
Which route fits your site?
Start with the equipment. New Atlas Copco compressors, dryers, nitrogen generators and oxygen generators are eligible for Guardian. Existing equipment moves the decision towards a standard service contract or ad-hoc planned servicing.
Next, decide how much cost certainty and commitment the site needs. A standard contract fixes the servicing price for an agreed period. Ad-hoc servicing keeps the schedule under review but lets you approve every visit separately. Guardian combines fixed maintenance costs with the manufacturer-aligned support available for eligible new Atlas Copco machines.
What we need to know about your compressor
The compressor’s role affects the maintenance schedule. During a site survey, we assess the equipment, its annual running hours, operating conditions and service history, and what happens to production if it is unavailable. We use that information to identify the appropriate schedule. A lightly used standby machine and a compressor supporting continuous production should not be treated as though their needs are identical.
You do not need to gather equipment details before contacting us. After the survey, we will explain what is due, what each route covers and what remains outside the scope.
If you already have a service agreement
Existing agreements may use different wording from the three routes shown here. The written terms of your current agreement define any callouts, breakdown repairs, hire support and fixed-price commitments. If you are an existing customer, we will check those terms before recommending a change.
Frequently asked questions
How often should compressed air equipment be serviced?
The manufacturer’s schedule for the specific machine sets the starting point. Running hours, site conditions and service history can move the next service date, so we check the equipment record before confirming the interval.
What is an example of a compressor service contract?
One example is a one-to-five-year agreement for existing equipment. The contract records the machines covered, the OEM schedule, the OEM parts required and the fixed servicing price.
How much does compressor servicing cost?
All three options are quote-based because the service scope depends on the equipment, expected annual running hours and site requirements. Guardian uses a tailored fixed price for the agreed equipment, annual running hours and service regime, reviewed if the hours change. Standard contracts use a tailored fixed price. Ad-hoc servicing is quoted visit by visit. We do not publish a standard or starting price.
What maintenance is included?
The schedule and inclusions depend on the selected route and the equipment. Guardian includes scheduled service spares, breakdown spares, oil and breakdown labour during normal working hours (08:00–16:30 Monday–Friday). Standard contracts include the required parts, labour, travel and mileage for planned servicing. Ad-hoc service visits are quoted separately when due. Your proposal records the exact inclusions, exclusions and any separately chargeable work.
Does planned maintenance include emergency breakdown cover?
Guardian and standard service contract customers have access to our 24-hour emergency call-out programme. This is emergency access, not a guarantee that every call-out or repair is included in the plan. Guardian includes breakdown parts and breakdown labour during normal working hours. Out-of-hours Guardian work carries an additional charge. Standard-contract and ad-hoc breakdown repairs, parts and labour are quoted separately. Ad-hoc customers can request emergency assistance when required, quoted separately. We aim to attend on the same day where possible, subject to engineer availability. Temporary hire is available separately, subject to availability and charged additionally.
Talk to Search Air about a service plan
Search Air has worked with compressed air equipment since the business was founded in 1952 and has been an Atlas Copco Premier Distributor since 2002. The company became employee-owned through an Employee Ownership Trust in 2024. That long-term ownership model supports the same practical approach we take to maintenance: understand the site, define the work and keep the equipment history useful for the next decision.
We aim to be the maintenance partner that helps you plan, not a repair contact that appears only after a failure. Our recommendation starts with the machine, the manufacturer’s schedule and how the site uses its compressed air. If a long-term agreement is not justified, the ad-hoc route keeps servicing planned without creating unnecessary commitment. You can review our service coverage around Bradford before arranging a visit.
Our engineers support sites across Yorkshire, the East Midlands and neighbouring areas. Sites further south can also check our local service information for Doncaster.
Call 0113 263 9081 or contact our service team to compare an Atlas Copco Guardian service plan, a standard service contract and ad-hoc planned servicing for your equipment. We will explain the suitable routes and prepare a tailored quotation with clear, agreed pricing. Any work outside the agreed plan will be identified and quoted separately.
When you contact us about a service agreement, we can arrange a site survey to assess your equipment, operating conditions and servicing requirements. We’ll review the equipment on site, understand how it is being used and assess site access and any other factors that may affect the service requirements. We can then recommend the appropriate service option and provide a clear, agreed quotation.
Want to know more about our service and warranty packages?
Contact us