If you are currently in the market shopping for a central vacuum system, there's no doubt you've been bombarded with a host of exaggerated performance claims. Other considerations include ease of use, maintenance and of course overall performance and feel. It is our hope, that this section will help guide you through the exercise of purchasing a central vacuum unit. There are many choices available on the market today and a multitude of factors which will influence the system you choose. One of the leading factors will be the vacuum units filtration, which is the first line of defense when protecting your motor. Currently
there are four methods of filtration
currently used for central vacuums. 1) Paper Bag System. 2) Bagless With Self

With a cyclonic unit, the dirty air is sucked into the vacuum unit and whirls around in a fashion similar to a cyclone or tornado, wherein the heavier dirt falls to the bottom into a bucket and the lighter dirt particles are carried through the motor, fan blades, fan chamber and armature, then exhausted outside the home.

Also, over filling the unit will cause very serious motor failure or problems. You must empty the canister often, more than others. You can't let it go further than 3/4 full or else the dirt will get into the motor causing your motor to burn out. Before you know it 6 months has gone by and you find out your motor has seized and failed. This is a frequent problem, and is NOT covered under warranty. All this is noted in the small print of all central vacuum warranties. This is considered abuse and neglect, and therefore not covered.

While a few manufacturers may claim it, none utilize "true cyclonic" in which ALL filtration is achieved by the creation of a cyclone which uses centrifugal force and gravity to separate the impurities from the intake air. Some cyclonic manufacturers come very close to being "true cyclonic", but all have some type of filter as mentioned in their service manuals. One manufacturer says, "A guard screen is located directly above the dirt pan inside the power unit. It should be inspected and cleaned occasionally. This is to prevent such things as carpet fibers, cloth etc. from getting into the motor's impeller blades. A buildup of dirt or other larger, clogging-type material may result in loss of vacuum". But, wait a minute! Their own sales brochure claimed "100% efficiency at all times". Both statements can't be true! Furthermore, the service manual goes on to say that, "much excessive, loose lint and nap, normal in all new floor coverings, is removed in these early cleanings, and some will tend to settle on the screen, allowing a buildup that will impair the suction power unless removed." How many home owners bother to clean a filter they can't see and/or are not told about. Here is a manufacturer admitting that within the first few usage's, his own product can loose performance. Some also states in their publications, that they do have a metal screen but, "the pores of this metal screen are sufficiently large to insure that no plugging results from normal use. Therefore, you have constant airflow and no loss of cleaning ability." This sounds impressive but their service manual says, "if the screen becomes clogged with lint and rug fibers, it will decrease your vacuum power to a point where you are unable to clean properly due to the decrease in air flow." Again, we have not only a contradiction in claims, but a manufacturers admission of poor design.

Cyclonic action does remove the heavy particles, but the light fibers and dust are emitted threw the fan blades. Some admit that their system will... "maintain up to 98% efficiency. The remaining 2% consist of small particles which are exhausted outside". That's why their service manual states that when low suction exists, "the exhaust line may be clogged." Their manual also states that "overfilling of the unit may cause motor damage." Likewise, Another manual states, "overfilling could cause debris to be drawn into the impeller blades which may severely damage your power unit." These cyclonic systems do have a big advantage which they emphasize in all literature; there are no replacement filters or bags to buy or store. This factor may represent as much as a $15.00 retail savings per year. Here's something to consider, what would happen if you went to your grocery store and came across the garage disposal bags, would you say "no, if I don't buy bags I could save a couple of bucks a year". Think about it!
 

We would also like to review another manufacture brochure which states that their units have "100% efficiency at all times", "you'll be cleaning with full power every time" and "Vacuum power doesn't decrease, no matter how often you clean. It's always constant." A recent brochure first states that their unit contains "no filters" and then defines "true cyclonic" which explains the cyclonic action, and then says "Once the air, in a downward spiral, reaches the bottom of the cone or plate, it is suddenly unrestricted and slowed abruptly. At this point, 96-98% of the dirt thrown to the outside simply drops out of suspension and spirals down the cone and into the dirt can". "At the same time, the clean air containing 2-4% of the fine dust particles has reduced it's speed and is drawn to the center of the inverted cone. From there it rises and is exhausted to the outside of the living area."

To quote directly from a service manual publication, "Each time you empty the dirt pan, brush off the protective screen under the motor of the power unit. This eliminates any lint or dust build-up,... keeps your system working at maximum efficiency." Now remember they "have no filters"!! It also states, "Experience has shown that when cleaning new carpets or rugs for the first few times, it is advisable to check the dirt pan and screen at more frequent intervals. Much excessive, loose lint and nap, normal in all new floor coverings, is removed in these early cleanings and some will settle on the screen, allowing a build up that will impair the suction power unless removed."

The manual then continues in it's "Power Unit Maintenance" section; "A guard screen is located directly above the dirt pan inside the power unit. It should be inspected and cleaned occasionally. This is to prevent such things as carpet fiber, cloth etc. from getting into the motor's impeller blades. A build up of dirt or other larger, clogging type materials may result in loss in vacuum." Under the "Troubleshooting Guide" it states "If there is a loss of vacuum", "the guard screen may be clogged with lint or carpet fiber". While we agree that they do warn the consumer about this FILTER, we feel that their sales brochures are misleading by insisting that they "have no filters."

We feel this filtration system causes a few problems. First, over filling the unit presents a very serious motor problem. Second, the power unit always requires exterior venting; otherwise, considerable dust accumulates from the exhaust. Third, when cleaning off this screen, much of the debris will go through the screen. With razor sharp fan blades spinning at 20,000 RPM's it won't take long for this debris to cause motor imbalance and excessive bearing wear. Lastly, some dealers complain that it's very difficult to completely clean this screen. For an average home-owner it would probably be even more difficult.
 

More than 60 million Americans suffer from Allergy or Asthma related issues. Using a dust bag is the most hygienic and scientifically substantiated method to dispose of household dirt, hair, sand, dead skin flakes, dust mite feces, pollen, bacteria, carpet fibers, smells and may more lung damaging particles such as dander, rotting food particles, pet mildew.

Companies that offer Cyclonic units will themselves tell you that this type of filtration is NOT good for allergy suffers, and anyone with allergies or asthma should NOT empty or dump the canister.

Important Things To Know