Central Vacuum Systems
Central vacuum systems are the delight of many homeowners. No more heavy machinery to push or pull, to bump into furniture and doorways with -- leaving just the business end to work with. You still have to empty the debris sucked up by the vacuum, but not as often because the holding tank is so much larger than a typical vacuum's. Retrofitting one into an existing building is a bit more challenging than installing it as the building is built, but if a major renovation is in progress, it's worth considering installing a central vacuum sytsem then.
Pushing an upright or pulling a canister around the house may be the worst drudgery of vacuum cleaning. Those heavy motor-driven machines are tough to lug up stairs and navigate through tight spaces. Central vacuum systems do away with that weight and bulk, leaving only a cleaning wand and a very long corrugated hose to move with you.
A central vacuum system consists of a vacuum canister located in some out-of-the-way part of the house that is yet conveniently located for emptying time. Two-inch plastic ducts snake through walls to inlet ports strategically located in all rooms. When it's time to clean, just uncover a port and plug in the hose (doing so turns on the vacuum automatically), and scour away!
Central vacuum systems' motors can be much more powerful than their portable counterparts because they are hidden safely out of the user's way and do not have to be light enough to haul around. The suction power of a central vacuum system is rated in terms of its "waterlift" how many inches of water it could raise (although these systems are not for use in vacuuming up water or other liquids). Smaller central vacuum systems with waterlift ratings of 120 to 150 inches are suitable for homes up to 2500 square feet.
Differences between central vacuum systems are minimal; in fact, many brands use exactly the same motors. Price, availability, warranty, and service are the deciding factors when purchasing a central vacuum system, which can cost between $1,000 and $2,500 for a typical family home.
The business end of a central vacuum system makes a big difference. Two types of beater-bars are available: electric and turbo powered. Turbo-powered beater bars get their rotational energy from the air sucked into the hose, while electrically powered beater-bars have a long cord attached to the length of the air hose, which plugs into an electrical outlet near the air inlet port.
Professional installation is advisable for a central vacuum system. Sales and installation companies can be found in the Yellow Pages under "Vacuum Equipment and Systems" or "Vacuum Cleaning Systems". One can also find authorized dealers via the Web sites of firms that manufacture central vacuum systems. Materials costs generally range from $600 to $1,500. Installation charges are negotiable with individual dealers.
Do-it-yourself central vacuum systems are available from Broan Manufacturing Corp. under the Nutone brand name. Installing a central vacuum system is not a trivial undertaking. One must map the network of pipes and outlets required to serve every space in one’s home, from attic to garage. An outlet must be within 30 feet (maximum hose length) of every corner of the home. Single-story homes are the simplest installation challenge, especially if adequate crawl space or a basement is available. Multi-story homes require running pipe through walls, a tricky task.
Central vacuum systems are expensive and complex to install, but delightfully easy to use and maintain. The dirt-collection canister can hold several gallons and be located right next to one's trash can, if desired. The greater suction power of central vacuum systems makes for cleaner homes, and the ease of using them means homes will get cleaned more often.
