If you do not have an excuse to purchase an air compressor, or you already have one, there are many creative ways that you can use your air compressor throughout the winter season. 

Winterize Your Water Lines

If you have a sprinkler system, or some other type of water irrigation system in your yard or garden, the last thing that you want to do is to leave water in your systems lines over the winter. Even small amounts of water can freeze, expand, and crack or burst your lines. While this may be a relatively simple project to do if your system's lines have a significant slope, if you do not, you may be tempted to hire a professional to get it done.

Why pay anywhere from $40 to $300 for a professional to do something that you are able to do yourself with the help of an air compressor, an air hose, and a quick-connect hose adapter? The exact steps you take will depend on the type of system that you have, but most will follow the same basic steps. While your average air compressor may not be strong enough to blow out your entire system, most compressors will be able to clear your system if you blow it out zone by zone.

Make Snow

Wouldn't it be great to have snow anytime you get ready for it during the winter? This could be a great idea for winter parties, holiday decorations, or any other time you may want to create a winter wonderland. While you will not be able to make as much snow as the ski resorts produce, you can make enough to have fun in.

You can do this if you live in an area that has temperatures that dip down between 27 - 30 degrees. All you need is a water source such as your power washer, your air compressor, and a few miscellaneous nozzles, fittings, and tape. While this project will require a small investment on your part, you will be able to use your snowmaker, or snowgun for many winters to come. 

Create Your Own Holiday Decorations

There is no other time of year that people decorate their homes and yards like they do for Christmas. It is estimated that Americans spent approximately $6 billion dollars on decorations during 2011. Although this amount includes the latest in LED lighting, inflatable Santas, pre-decorated Christmas trees, it also includes many decorations that you would be able to make yourself if you have the proper tools.

An air compressor allows you to drive many different types of air tools. By using these tools, you will be able to get your projects done quicker, more efficiently, and create a more professional appearance. Some of these tools may even come with your air compressor, but if they do not, you will be able to add the various tools of your choice. Some of these basic tools include:

• Nail guns
• Paint sprayers
• Drills
• Sanders

When choosing your tools, you need to ensure that your air compressor will be large enough and efficient enough to provide the amount of air your tool needs for the best efficiency. To measure this, you will need to know the following terms.

CFM (cubic feet per minute) - or how fast your air compressor will be able to deliver your air. If the accessory you choose uses air faster than the compressor can deliver it, your tool will stop working until the compressor catches up. 

Tank size - the amount of air your compressor will hold at any one time. Although your tank will refill itself when it drops below a certain level, your compressor may stop or not work as efficiently as it will with a full tank.

Psi (pounds per square inch) - Most air compressors will provide enough psi to do most of your task and run most of your tools. Once you begin to use your air compressor to perform these types of projects, you may wonder how you ever existed without it. For more information, visit this link.