# Can a medical vacuum plant use less energy?

**How can a hospital medical vacuum plant use less energy?**

Yes. A medical vacuum plant uses less energy when its output follows demand: pumps sized to the real load, a vessel large enough to limit stop/start cycles, and variable speed drives. Ultra Controlo states that the ULTRAVAC CLP at variable speed can reduce energy costs by around 40%.

## Measures named in HTM 02-01 (England, 2026)

- Vessel: a vessel sized to minimise stop/start cycles keeps the pumps running efficiently at low use; cycles per hour should stay within the manufacturer's limit, typically six (10.19). Larger storage capacity may provide additional efficiencies (Table 20 note).
- Control settings: the pump cut-out point is chosen on the pump's performance curve to minimise stop/start cycling and to suit a demand-led control arrangement (10.32).
- Pump size and number: all pump types, sizes and quantities should be evaluated for the sustainability of the plant (10.16). On non-acute sites with low demand, smaller pumps sharing the duty can improve operational efficiency, provided resilience and continuity of supply are kept (10.10).
- Demand basis: sites that are not open around the clock should consider demand across their working hours only (4.44).
- Central plant rather than portable units: mobile electric suction units are not appropriate for the main supply because of the power consumption and efficiency of the individual pumps (10.11).

## Variable speed

HTM 02-01 asks for variable speed pumps to be considered on every anaesthetic gas scavenging system, to respond to varying demand. For medical vacuum, the ULTRAVAC CLP is available in a variable speed version in which the pump stops on standby when there is no consumption, and Ultra Controlo states that at variable speed it can reduce energy costs by around 40%.

## Starts per hour

Portugal's ACSS ET 03/2006 sizes the vacuum vessel so that each pump makes no more than 20 starts per hour. Fewer starts also follow from the vessel sizing and control settings above.

### Is portable suction more efficient than a central plant?

Not as a main supply: HTM 02-01 (2026) says mobile electric suction units are not appropriate for it because of the power consumption and efficiency of the individual pumps.

### Does the ULTRAVAC CLP stop when nothing is drawing vacuum?

In the variable speed version, yes: the pump stops on standby when there is no consumption, according to the datasheet.

## Sources

- [NHS England, HTM 02-01 Medical gas pipeline systems, Part A (2026 edition), paras 4.44, 10.10, 10.11, 10.16, 10.19, 10.32, 12.24 and Table 20](https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/health-technical-memorandum-02-01-medical-gas-pipeline-systems-part-a-design-installation-validation-verification-aug-2026.pdf)
- [ACSS, ET 03/2006 v.2024, Especificações técnicas para gases medicinais e aspiração em edifícios hospitalares, section 4.8](https://www.acss.min-saude.pt/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/ET-03_2006_v2024-Gases-medicinais_VF.pdf)
- [ULTRAVAC CLP datasheet, pp. 2 and 3](https://www.ultracontrolo.com/products/ultravac-clp)

Reviewed: 2026-10-22. Ultra Controlo engineering. https://library.ultracontrolo.com/answers/can-a-medical-vacuum-plant-save-energy/