Why I Recommend Gardner Denver PD Blowers (But Not for Your Small Freezer or Snow Blower)

I've been handling industrial compressed air and blower orders for over six years now. And honestly? I've made some pretty embarrassing recommendations early on. One that still stings: in 2019, I greenlit a Gardner Denver positive displacement blower for a customer who wanted to dry out a crawl space.

Basically, I assumed 'blower equals air mover, so any job works.' The unit was oversized by a factor of about 40. It cost $3,200, plus installation. The customer ended up with condensation issues because the airflow was way too high for the space. That mistake taught me a lesson I now preach internally: match the tool to the task, not the brand reputation.

So here's my straightforward take — supported by a few hundred orders and a handful of costly facepalms: Gardner Denver positive displacement blowers are fantastic for continuous-duty industrial applications. But if you're trying to use one for a small freezer, crawl space dehumidifier, or snow blower, you're making a mistake. Let me explain why.

What PD Blowers Actually Do (and Why They're Overkill for Tiny Jobs)

Positive displacement blowers — like Gardner Denver's rotary lobe or screw designs — are built for moving large volumes of air against moderate to high backpressure. They're the workhorses behind pneumatic conveying, wastewater aeration, and industrial vacuum systems. These machines are designed to run 24/7, often for years with scheduled maintenance.

But here's the thing most people don't realize: a Gardner Denver regenerative blower (a type of PD blower) typically moves anywhere from 100 to over 1,000 CFM (cubic feet per minute). Compare that to a typical small freezer that might need just 10-20 CFM for condenser cooling. Or a crawl space dehumidifier that moves maybe 50-80 CFM. Running a Gardner Denver blower in those scenarios is like using a freight train to deliver a single pizza.

I've only worked with industrial-scale equipment. I can't speak to how Gardner Denver's smaller niche products (if any) handle consumer-level applications — but based on the dozen or so inquiries I've processed, the answer is usually: you don't want this product for that job.

Maintenance Reality: Industrial Gear Needs Industrial Attention

Another area where I see people get tripped up: maintenance expectations. A Gardner Denver positive displacement blower requires periodic oil changes, belt checks, and sometimes seal replacements. These are routine in a factory. But if you're using it in a basement crawl space or attached to a small freezer in a garage, the maintenance becomes a burden.

To be fair, their reliability is excellent — I've seen units run for 5+ years with only basic care. But the cost of that care (e.g., OEM lubricants, trained technicians) is justified only when the blower is generating revenue or essential for a production line. For a $500 snow blower application? Not worth it.

The Efficiency Trap: Energy Costs Add Up Fast

People often ask me: 'Can I use a Gardner Denver regenerative blower where to buy a snow blower to blast snow off a driveway?' The answer: please don't. Here's why. A typical gas-powered snow blower engine produces maybe 5–15 horsepower. A Gardner Denver blower motor (even a small one) is often 10–50 horsepower — and it runs on electricity. Powering a 30 HP motor to blow snow for an hour could cost $30–50 in electricity (based on average industrial rates of $0.10–$0.15/kWh, as of Q1 2025). Plus, the airflow isn't focused like a snow blower nozzle; you'd mostly just create an expensive, loud windstorm.

That said, if you're clearing a mile-long airport runway, I could see an argument for using industrial blowers. But for a typical driveway? Hard no. Honestly, you're better off buying a consumer-grade snow blower from a local hardware store for $400. And that's coming from someone who sells Gardner Denver equipment.

So When Do I Recommend Gardner Denver Blowers?

Based on my experience across about 200+ orders, here's where they shine:

• Continuous-duty aeration in wastewater treatment plants (which need consistent pressure and high reliability)
• Pneumatic conveying of bulk materials (cement, grains, plastic pellets)
• Industrial vacuum systems for packaging or material handling
• Chemical or gas blanketing applications requiring oil-free air

If you're in one of those sectors, a Gardner Denver PD blower is a no-brainer. The technology is proven; the support network is global. I once helped a client in Texas replace a 15-year-old unit, and we had a new one shipped and installed within 48 hours. That's rare in this industry.

Answering the Obvious Questions

'But Gardner Denver makes compressors and dryers too — can't I use those for small freezer cooling?' Possibly, but their air dryers are designed for plant air systems, not spot cooling. A dedicated refrigeration unit would be far more efficient. I get why people think cross-application, but the engineering differs.

'What about using a PD blower for a crawl space dehumidifier?' I've seen DIY forums suggest this. Granted, it will move air. But it will also flood the space with noise, heat, and possibly oil mist (unless you buy an oil-free model, which costs more). In 2022, I had a customer who ruined a $2,000 blower by running it in a damp, unvented crawl space — the motor burnt out within 3 months because of moisture ingress. Learn from that mistake.

'But isn't Gardner Denver an established brand — shouldn't their products work anywhere?' This is a historical myth. The brand's strength comes from decades of industrial engineering, not from being a universal solution. The 'can do it all' thinking comes from an era when general-purpose motors were common. Today, specialization is key.

Bottom Line: Be Honest About Limitations

I'm not trying to sell you a Gardner Denver blower for your snow blower or dehumidifier. Actually, I'm doing the opposite — I'm telling you to walk away. And I believe that's the right approach for any B2B supplier. Recommending the wrong tool damages trust faster than any sales commission can make up for. I've learned this the hard way (see: my $3,200 crawl space fiasco). So if you're considering a positive displacement blower for an industrial application, absolutely explore Gardner Denver. But if your application is small-scale, low-duty, or consumer-level, look elsewhere. You'll save money, time, and maybe your basement's sanity.

My experience is based on about 200 mid-range industrial orders. If you're working with ultra-light commercial or residential applications, your experience might differ. But in the industrial B2B world, this advice holds.