Compare All Central Vacuum Units Available On The Market Today
Airwatts is the only recognized testing method as set forth by the American Society of Testing and Materials. F558-98 Standard Test Method for Measuring Air Performance Characteristics of Vacuum Cleaners that tests the actual (suction) cleaning power of a central vacuum.
Take your square footage and double it. We feel this is the best way to buy, and this article will address the reasons why. We will explain some reasons why the entire central vacuum industry recommends doubling your square footage, or at the very least going to the next size up when purchasing a central vacuum.
For example, if your home is 2,500 square feet you would want to consider a vacuum that covers up to 5,000 to 6,000 square feet. This will not only give you room to grow with possible future add-on's, but it covers such things as vaulted or taller ceilings, long pipe runs for multiple stories, extra wall inlets, different floor styles and more. Also, you always want to maximize your suction and have the most power possible.
When central vacuum manufactures to determine the square footage a unit covers, it relies on a very simple
The design and layout of a home can dramatically affect the size of the vacuum unit you will need to buy. If your home is designed with tall or vaulted ceilings, your installation will require the use of more pipe. If a home is designed with a long hallway, it may require long runs of pipe. If your home has multiple stories, it will require more pipe to go upwards and over. If you have pet hair problems or decide to install an extra wall inlet, these are all reasons to double your square footage and maximizing your power so you can compensate for the extra piping required in these types of installations.
For example, a home with a second story is a home that would require the extra power. When you're upstairs in the furthest room from the vacuum, you do not want a drop-off in suction. Situations like this or others that require more pipe, regardless of the home's square footage, will require a more powerful unit. Under-powered units will leave dirt in the piping as well as behind the inlets and are much more likely to become clogged, this is why you vacuum the same area 3-4 times.
We come across installation problems in almost 75% of every home we service. When the installation is not perfect, you will have to compensate for the loss of suction that comes with installation mistakes. You must ask yourself, is my installation or rough-in done perfectly? Did they minimize all pipe runs, using the shortest amount of pipe possible? Did they use the correct elbows, tee's and wye's in all the correct places? Did they use plumbing PVC instead of the proper central vacuum thin-wall schedule 20 PVC piping? Did you know using plumbing PVC requires the use of elbows with a smaller radius which will result in a 7 - 10% suction loss? A very common mistake is using a "short 90 elbow" where a "sweep 90 elbow" should be used, and vice versa.
This is the most common installation error, we find leaks in over 50% of incorrect installations. A single leak can cause a 15% - 20% suction loss. Can you trust your installer to perfect the installation? Hopefully, the installer is qualified and knows what he is doing, but what about his "sidekick" who helped him that day? Leaks in a system from a bad install result from elbows and fittings not being glued properly, pipes not being secure enough, missing gaskets on mounting brackets, etc. You can only hope your installation was done right and you don't have to worry about these scary thoughts. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world and we come across a lot of problems stemming from not so perfect installs. I know some of these problems may seem far-fetched to some people, but we deal with it regularly, not to mention we are sticklers for perfection!
Over time dirt and debris build up in the pipes which can reduce your suction by up to 5%, and inlets also warp. For all the above reasons and more we highly recommend doubling your square footage and purchasing a larger vacuum unit.
Demand more air watts from your builder and quality, not the cheapest central vacuum he can stick you with. We find that so many people complain that they could have had more suction or the central vacuum system could be more powerful. Complaints that the vacuum is barely effective, requiring going over one spot 3-4 times to pick up crumbs from a bare floor.
This measures the "volume" of air the motor is capable of moving and works in tandem with "Suction". Airflow can be a bit confusing, however, since performance measurements are taken from the motor and do not factor any resistance found in a typical central vacuum system. Filtration, piping, hoses, and accessories all restrict and reduce the amount of actual Airflow a system has. While Airflow is important to system performance, Suction or the "pulling of air" maintains the Airflow velocity necessary to sweep dirt and debris away at the hose end where vacuuming takes place.
CFM is NOT a true measure of suction, however, it is a form of measurement and part of the equation when measuring Air Watts. This is a misleading measurement of suction power. Please note certain companies will lower this number in order to inflate the waterlift. This is done to influence a consumer by making the suction power appear stronger - Wrong!
This measures the suction strength of a central vacuum motor. Essentially, it tells how much "pull" or "lift" power the motor has. This measurement is always taken at its maximum value, the 0" inch orifice (sealed vacuum) where suction is at it's greatest. Since this measurement is taken from the 0" orifice, it is very misleading. This measurement does not take into account piping, hoses or accessories etc., thus giving a false measurement of power. Often referred to as Inches or Waterlift or Vacuum, Suction is vital to overall system performance since it is the "pull power" that maintains Airflow through the complex network of vacuum pipe, hose, and accessories. While Airflow is necessary for a vacuum cleaner to work, suction creates the lift and velocity of air which sweeps dirt away. Waterlift is NOT a true measure of suction, however, it is a form of measurement and part of the equation when measuring Air Watts. This is the most misleading measurement of suction power. Please note certain companies will inflate this number to influence a consumer by making the suction power appear stronger - Wrong!
Some companies may try to influence a consumer into believing that Waterlift or Airflow (CFM) is the correct way to judge the suction power of a central vacuum and this is simply not true. 97% of all central vacuum companies measure the power of their units with Airwatts.
This type of performance could be caused by a few different problems. The builder cut corners with air watts, and instead of putting in a top quality vacuum system they installed a cheap, non-powerful vacuum. We find that the average builder typically doesn't go that extra mile with a more powerful vacuum unit to satisfy the customer. The same applies to attachment kits and accessories. The homeowner is so overwhelmed by the new house they tend to overlook some of the cut corners that their builders practice and get away with. Other great examples of these practices include not using the best paint for your house, using a cheaper grade carpet that won't last as well as a central vacuum that doesn't suck that good.
We also find that after a builder puts in an average central vacuum, the poor homeowner gets stuck for years with an unsatisfactory unit. It's not in the builders best interests to spend the extra money on a better quality vacuum for his customer. For builders, it's about cutting corners and saving money, which in turn bolsters his profit. The truth is, if the builder was building his own home you better believe he will install a top of the line, high air watt (more powerful) central vacuum for himself. We have seen this situation time and time again for over 25 years. The educated customers, who are aware of these tactics, are demanding better quality, higher air watt (more powerful) vacuums. We have found recently that some of the better builders who build higher-end homes are starting to install more powerful units to keep up with the customer's demands. The more upscale homes are starting to install Drainvac, Valet, DuoVac, DustCare, Cyclo Vacs, etc. Thanks to the education of companies, such as Thinkvacuums.com, the days of being naive are coming to an end.
Don't settle for less, demand more power with higher air watts. More power is always a good thing. We have never met a homeowner that wasn't ok with more power. They want to know they are getting the job done... the first time around.
We at Thinkvacuums.com give our customer's many central vacuums to choose from. With one of the largest selections on the Internet, we can help you purchase the best vacuum to fit your needs and budget. We give our customers a complete selection of the available brands and let you choose what you want. We will never try to persuade our customers to buy our own brand name or private label (we don't have one) like some online dealers. Choose from a builders grade budget or a top of the line vacuum based on our your needs, whether it be power, warranty, service, noise, etc. With a database of over thousands of builders, and with thousands of hours and years of research, we are able to keep the builders and public up to date on the latest and greatest in the central vacuum field so you can make a wise decision.
We have the majority of all central vacuum companies listed on the most accurate, comprehensive website and comparison chart. With our central vacuum comparison chart, it makes it easy to make a valid choice. These charts are based on the most important features of a central vacuum; power, warranty, quietness, service records, and filtration.
We give our customers the largest selection on the Internet as well as all the specifications on all the brands available so that you the people can make a wise decision on what they want based on their budget. We at Thinkvacuums.com only do business with real companies and when these companies cannot educate the public on their products... we can. If you don't find a name of a vacuum company on our central vacuum chart, then that company probably doesn't exist or is known as a private label.
We are well admired and well respected in the central vacuum industry as a professional company. And not only are were here to help you choose the right vacuum for your needs, but we also give excellent customer service long after the sale.
Thinkvacuums.com is dedicated to customer service long after the sale is made. Our highly trained staff of technicians and customer service representatives are always here to answer your questions. We take pride in satisfying each and every Thinkvacuums.com customer. We do not work out of a garage like others on the Internet and have been in business since 1960. We are a second generation, family owned and operated a business with a mega showroom location in South Florida and many warehouses across the country shipping hundreds of packages a day. We always have central vacuum consultants available to take your calls, or you may even speak to the owner himself. Also, our trained technicians are always ready to grab a phone and help a customer in need. We have always sent our customers an annual newsletter keeping them up to date on the latest products and trends on the market. This newsletter also contains coupons and discounted promotional items.
We have enjoyed many years of success due to our excellent customer service, something a lot of other Internet dealers lack. Other Internet dealers only care about making the sale, and then they will wash there hands of you. You will never be treated like a number at Thinkvacuums.com. We are a family owned business and want all our customers to be treated like family and we will do our best to make that happen.
Thinkvacuums.com also respects your privacy and assures you that none of the information given to Thinkvacuums.com will ever be shared under any condition. We will also never sell your information like other Internet companies do.
The first consumer reports publication on central vacuums came out in 2004, which means all machines were tested in 2003. This particular publication was generally not accepted in the central vacuum industry as accurate. There was a very small amount of vacuums tested at this time, therefore limiting the results they could have had. A lot of variables such as filtration type, bag or bagless style, quietness, etc. were left out of the equation. This means any vacuums that were featured in this publication were not compared to all the other central vacuums on the market and can be misleading. This industry changes rapidly with stronger, more quieter vacuum units and with more advanced technology going into central vacuums, consumer report magazines simply can't keep up with the changes. Our staff continuously attends vacuum conventions and seminars to make sure we are aware of all the latest advances in the central vacuum industry. The question is, do you want to make your investment based on something a writer for a magazine wrote or from the advice from a central vacuum expert? With over 30 years of experience, we eat and breath this business.
Although the different consumer magazines can be a good guide to purchasing a central vacuum, many individual needs are not taken into consideration. For example, if you have a child that suffers from asthma you may need a certain filtration. Another example would be the sound level of a central vacuum. You may need to install the unit in an interior closet, requiring a quiet unit. Vaulted ceilings are not taken into account, neither are pets. A home with vaulted ceilings changes a person's needs and you will need a stronger vacuum to account for the extra piping. People with pet hair problems will need a bagged system and a larger dirt container. They also do not talk about the unit's track record of service's and repairs. These are just some examples of individual needs that make an in-depth comparison chart a better guide when purchasing a central vacuum. Here are Thinkvacuums.com we are ready to help you choose the right vacuum for your individual needs. With many years of experience and knowledge, our professional central vacuum consultants are always available to take your call.
We were approached in the fall of 2007 by two popular and leading consumer magazines because of our unbiased, comprehensive and truthful knowledge of the central vacuum industry. They wanted the most complete overview of the central vacuum industry so they could form their own opinion based on thousands of hours of research. They actually purchased the majority of the vacuums they tested. Seven of the 13 units that were purchased from us was to be tested for future publications. They choose our site to buy that day, and when we got that phone call we felt like we were on cloud 9.
Customer Beware - Private Label
When shopping or searching for a central vacuum unit you should be aware of vacuum units that are private labeled. A privately labeled vacuum unit is basically a vacuum unit that someone puts a sticker on and tries to push very hard due to a higher profit margin. For example, this is the equivalent of us taking a sticker and slapping it on any vacuum, making "Imperial Vac", "Empire Vacuum", "Tony's Vacs" or some other fictitious name appear to be a real company. Anyone can put a crown on a vacuum and pretend to be a real company. There are a variety of problems that come with a privately labeled unit ranging from warranty issues, difficulty with service, companies going out of business etc. You should ALWAYS deal with a real central vacuum company, a company that you can contact, not a company that simply applied their name to a vacuum. When you purchase a privately labeled unit you will ALWAYS have to go back to that company, and ONLY that company for all warranty related issues. We have also heard complaints from customers that they cannot have their private labeled unit serviced locally. Local dealers "simply will not touch"privately labeled vacuums. Local dealers normally cannot get parts for these units and do not want to be responsible for any work that may violate the warranty agreement.
Customer Beware - Private Label
A company using a private label can easily change their name overnight, leaving you stuck in the dark. As the old saying goes, here today. gone tomorrow. With no one to look for and no name brand to find, you will have no one to turn to. Make sure you're never left in the dark. Stay away from private labels!
Many people also get stuck with a vacuum unit they cannot get replacement parts for once these "companies" go out of business. Being that no other companies carry these privately labeled units, you are forced to go back to them for parts, bags, filters, hinges, motors etc. At this point, you will have no other option but to pay their much higher prices for replacement parts. Once the company has gone out of business the customer is left stranded and often will have to replace the unit. We have also heard many horror stories about units that have caught homes on fire or caused other damage to a home. These so-called companies often do not have insurance or liability coverage and will not assist their customer in these events.
The only reason a company private labels a vacuum is to earn more money from an unsuspecting customer. These companies are well aware of the fact that you cannot shop this vacuum anywhere else, forcing you to pay whatever high price they give. There is, of course, a much higher profit margin for companies that sell their own private labeled line. Thinkvacuums.com would much rather give our customers more options so they are able to get the unit that best fits their needs and budget. Our customer service representatives will help guide you in the right direction, with many options and price levels. We are more concerned about our customers' satisfaction than our profit margin, so Thinkvacuums.com will NEVER private label a vacuum.
In all honesty, a privately labeled unit is nothing more than a fake company out to steal your money. You are forced to pay higher prices because NO OTHER COMPANY will have their unit making it impossible to shop. Secondly, if you ever need a replacement part you will be forced to go back to the company where they control the pricing. You will undoubtedly be forced to pay higher prices for these parts and/or repairs. So don't become trapped! If you're not sure about a company or unit, ask for that COMPANY'S (manufacturers) website and phone number. You may also contact Thinkvacuums.com for information regarding privately labeled vacuum units.
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