Tired of the heat, noise, and hassle of running multiple vacuum pumps across your shop floor, plant, manufacturing facility, or lab? Stepping up to a centralized vacuum system for your operation might seem like a big move, but it can help solve many common problems associated with operating point-of-use vacuum systems, especially in large or expanding facilities.
We’re breaking down key reasons to centralize your vacuum system, along with important factors to consider. If you’re wondering if you should upgrade to a central vacuum system, this guide is for you.
ONE SOURCE: SHOULD I CENTRALIZE MY VACUUM SYSTEM?
Looking for a quieter, cooler, and more cost-efficient workplace? For businesses that rely heavily on vacuum power, a centralized vacuum system offers significant advantages. Here are three key benefits of centralizing your vacuum pump system.
1. NOISE & HEAT MANAGEMENT
You probably already know that noise and heat are an unavoidable part of generating a vacuum for industrial or lab use. You likely also know that both these factors can be a problem for the safety and well-being of your staff.
Having a vacuum pump close to its use point generally means having to put up with noise levels that may exceed OSHA standards. Because of this, your staff will need to wear appropriate PPE gear all the time. One solution is to cover each of your pumps with an insulating cover. This can reduce but generally not eliminate pump noise in your workplace.
A more efficient solution is to remove pumps from the workplace altogether by establishing a centralized system with pumps located outside or in a fully insulated utility room. With only one generating point to manage and monitor, it’s easier to ensure you’re meeting safety standards.
Vacuum pumps also routinely operate at temperatures up to 200ºF, creating unpleasant heat buildup when operated close to the point of use. Heat buildup can be an even bigger problem if your pump needs to operate in a sound-insulating cover.
Centralizing your vacuum system puts all your heat-generating equipment in one place where it can be effectively contained, cooled, and monitored. Your staff will benefit from a more comfortable, quieter workplace.
2. ENERGY EFFICIENCY & COST REDUCTION
Energy costs also add up quickly when running multiple point-of-use vacuum pumps. Each pump operates independently, often at full power, leading to inefficiency and higher electricity bills. Maintenance costs also rise when you have several pumps spread across your facility, each requiring separate servicing, repairs, and replacement parts.
Centralized vacuum systems can help lower these energy and maintenance expenses. Not only will you have the optimum pumping capacity for your system, but with fewer pumps to maintain, service costs decrease, and downtime will be minimized. And, systems equipped with variable frequency drives can adjust power consumption based on demand, limiting energy use.
Typically, the cost of investing in a single centralized system is higher than adding individual pumps, but it will, in time, deliver long-term savings in energy and maintenance costs.
3. CONSISTENCY AND FLEXIBILITY
Achieving consistent vacuum levels across your facility can be challenging with either a centralized or point-of-use approach, depending on system design. In centralized systems, delivering uniform vacuum to each point of use depends heavily on the quality of the plumbing infrastructure, pipe length, and the number of branches. With a well-designed system that includes proper pipe sizing, vacuum regulators, and consideration for pressure drop, centralized vacuum can deliver consistent performance across a large facility, especially when multiple workstations require the same vacuum level.
However, when individual processes require different vacuum levels or rapid changes in demand, point-of-use pumps often provide greater flexibility. These pumps can be tailored or adjusted to meet the specific needs of each machine or application, allowing for finer control over vacuum level and flow. In contrast, centralized systems typically provide a single base vacuum level, which must be regulated locally if variation is required.
The best solution often depends on your process needs — whether standardization or customization is the priority.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Here are some additional considerations when weighing whether a centralized system is right for your industrial or lab application.
1. REDUNDANCY
Centralizing all your vacuum needs into a single source is convenient, efficient, and cost-effective, especially for larger operations. However, it also means that if the system goes down, or you need to maintain or repair a centralized pump, your entire operation could go down too.
An experienced vacuum system supplier like Becker Pumps will not only size your central vacuum needs to your overall system demand, but we’ll also build in enough redundant capacity with additional pumps to ensure your operations will be unaffected by downtime on one unit.
2. VACUUM LOSS
Vacuum loss or “pressure drop” can occur if your centralized system has long piping runs or too many branches. An experienced manufacturer will design the system with the right pump capacity to maintain pressure, but you may also need regulators or specially designed piping to keep pressure consistent throughout.
3. REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & CONTAMINATION CONTROL
In certain industries, vacuum systems must meet strict regulatory and cleanliness standards. Medical, pharmaceutical, food processing, and semiconductor manufacturing require centralized vacuum systems to minimize contamination risks and ensure compliance across facilities.
By housing pumps in a single controlled environment, centralization helps reduce exposure to airborne contaminants that could spread infection or compromise sensitive processes.
For example, medical facilities must adhere to NFPA 99 standards for medical gas systems, which favor centralized vacuum for surgical suction and gas scavenging. Similarly, food and beverage processing operations rely on centralized vacuum systems to maintain hygiene during packaging, freeze-drying, and liquid transfer.
4. SPACE, COST, AND COMPLEXITY
Centralized systems are more complex than point-of-use implementations, involving running pressure-rated piping throughout your facility, as well as additional electrical infrastructure.
Centralized systems are also larger than comparable point-of-use installations, requiring space for equipment rooms, redundant equipment, and piping, making them unsuitable for smaller facilities or where space is already tight.
As a result, most centralized systems are significantly more expensive to install than comparable point-of-use capacity, although they deliver greater savings through efficiency and lower maintenance over time.
The following table summarizes some of the major advantages and disadvantages of centralized vacuum systems.
| Pros and Cons of Centralized Vacuum Systems | |
| Pros | Cons |
| Energy efficiency: Optimized pump capacity and VFDs help reduce energy use. | Upfront costs: Higher investment due to system size and infrastructure. |
| Reduced noise & heat: Pumps are centralized in a utility room. | Vacuum loss: Longer piping runs can reduce pressure consistency if not properly designed. |
| Less maintenance: Fewer pumps reduce servicing needs. | Space requirements: Requires significant space for equipment and piping. |
| Redundancy potential: Central systems can be designed with backup pumps to allow maintenance without downtime. | System downtime risk: A failure in the central system affects the entire facility. |
| Regulatory compliance: Suitable for industries with strict contamination control requirements. | Complex installation: Requires planning for plumbing, electrical, and controls. |
| Standardization: Easier to deliver uniform vacuum levels for similar processes. | Limited flexibility: Harder to tailor vacuum levels for diverse applications without added regulators. |
WHERE ARE CENTRALIZED VACUUM SYSTEMS USED?
Centralized vacuum systems are ideal for industries that require reliable vacuum performance, contamination control, energy efficiency, or regulatory compliance. Common applications include:
- Medical and healthcare
- Food and beverage processing
- Printing and paper industries
- Petrochemical and energy
- Large-scale manufacturing
- Cleanrooms and labs
On the other hand, centralized vacuum systems make less sense for operations that require flexibility, mobility, or low vacuum usage, including:
- Small-scale facilities where installation costs outweigh the benefits for low-demand applications.
- Highly variable vacuum needs across the facility or over time.
- Temporary applications such as construction, fieldwork, and seasonal manufacturing.
- Small labs or compact facilities where space or budget may be limited.
- Industries require separate vacuum sources to prevent cross-contamination.
IS A CENTRALIZED VACUUM SYSTEM RIGHT FOR YOU?
Choosing between a centralized vacuum system and point-of-use pumps depends on your facility’s size, budget, operational needs, and industry requirements. Here’s how to determine which option best suits your business.
| Consider Centralization If: – You need a consistent, reliable vacuum across a large facility. – Your industry has strict regulatory or contamination control requirements, such as cleanrooms, medical, or food processing applications. – You want to reduce long-term energy costs and minimize maintenance by consolidating multiple pumps into one efficient system. – Your facility has the space and budget to support the necessary installation and infrastructure. |
| Consider Individual Pumps If: – Your facility is small or has limited space for a central vacuum system. – You require flexibility for different vacuum levels or mobile applications. – You prefer to avoid high upfront costs and complex installation. – Contamination risks are minimal, and regulatory compliance is not a primary concern. |
Evaluating these factors will help you determine if a centralized vacuum system is the right choice. For expert insights, contact a trusted provider like Becker Pumps. Our team will assess your needs, match them with the latest vacuum pump technology, and recommend the best solution for your operation.
BECKER PUMPS: SMART CENTRALIZED VACUUM SOLUTIONS
Becker Pumps has over 140 years of experience providing reliable vacuum systems for industries worldwide. Our pumps support everything from point-of-use applications to large-scale, integrated systems with fail-safe redundancy.Need expert guidance? We’ll help you determine if a centralized system fits your needs and design a solution that delivers long-term performance and scalability. Contact us today or explore our full range of industrial vacuum systems below.
