When discussing the primary advantages of using **drones for inspections**, cost savings consistently rank at the top. But are these savings applicable across all industries, or only in specific sectors? And how exactly do drones help companies reduce inspection costs?
The answer to the first question is that the financial benefits of using drones for inspections can be realized in nearly any industrial setting—whether the inspection is conducted indoors, like in a boiler or pressure vessel, or outdoors, such as on power lines or cell towers. Drones can gather visual data more efficiently and quickly than humans, which significantly lowers the overall cost of the inspection, regardless of its nature.
As for the second question—how drones actually cut down on costs—this article outlines several key ways in which inspection drones are helping businesses save money today.
**1. Reduced Need for Scaffolding**
One of the most significant cost-saving benefits of using drones is the reduced need for scaffolding. Depending on the inspection scope, companies can save tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars by eliminating or minimizing scaffolding requirements.
Scaffolding is a temporary structure used solely to provide access for inspectors. It involves high material and labor costs, plus extended downtime while it's being set up and removed. Drones can collect the same visual data remotely, reducing the need for manual data collection and, consequently, the reliance on scaffolding.
Even when scaffolding is necessary for additional work, drones can help identify where it should be placed, reducing both time and material use.
**Case Study: Oil & Gas – $2 Million Saved**
Marine Inspection Services used the Elios 2 drone to inspect an oil cargo tank, saving over $2 million:
- Materials and labor savings: $400,000
- Downtime savings: $1.6 million
**Case Study: Power Generation – $320,000 Saved**
Pampa Energia used the Elios 1 to inspect a boiler, saving:
- Materials and labor: $30,000
- Downtime: $290,000
**2. Reduced Downtimes**
Drones also help reduce asset downtime. By cutting down on scaffolding setup and speeding up data collection, they allow inspections to be completed faster, minimizing operational interruptions.
In one example, a company saved $1.6 million by avoiding 8 days of downtime due to scaffolding.
**3. Reduced Work Hours**
Using drones reduces the number of hours required for inspections. Workers no longer need to spend time building or dismantling scaffolding, and drones can capture data much faster than human inspectors.
A power plant inspection saw a 98% reduction in work hours, from 280 to just 10 hours.
**4. Lower Insurance Costs**
By reducing the need for confined space entry, rope access, or working at heights, drones lower the risk of injury. This leads to lower liability insurance costs for companies.
**5. Less Need for Safety Equipment**
With drones handling data collection, the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) decreases, further reducing costs.
**6. More Frequent Inspections**
Because drone inspections are cheaper and faster, companies can conduct them more often. This allows for earlier detection of issues, leading to longer asset life and fewer costly repairs over time.
Additionally, increased inspection frequency can have environmental benefits. A study found that using drones to increase inspections could reduce CO2 emissions by up to 649 metric tons annually.
If you're looking to explore how drones can transform your inspection processes and save your business money, consider downloading our guide to learn more about the future of industrial inspections.
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