How a Home Central Vacuum System Works

Central vacuum systems make the otherwise cumbersome activity of cleaning your house easy and much less irritating. Better, you can buy a home central vacuum system that’s cheaper than a high-end portable vacuum and, in turn, raise your home’s resale value by about $2,000. In this piece, we’ll explore what central vacuums are all about, how they work, their benefits over their portable counterparts, and how to choose one that suits your needs.

How Do Central Vacuum Systems Work?

One of the most appealing benefits of central vacuum systems is that you don’t have to carry a heavy unit around to clean.

Their design allows them to convey the dirt through tubing embedded in the walls to a vessel in the garage or utility room.

The central vac systems will enable you to plug in your hose anywhere in the house, vacuum, and only move the hose from one inlet to another to clean elsewhere. If you like, you may include an automatic dustpan that allows you to use a broom to sweep debris into a wall vent.

If you want to have a central vacuum system installed in your home, you need to find a place to put the central power unit, such as a utility room, basement, or garage. You then need to install the wall inlet valves at strategic places throughout the house.

Tubing will run through your walls, attic, or basement to connect the inlet valves to the power unit. You’ll only see dirt when emptying the receptacle. In the wall inlet valves, you’ll connect the power brush unit and hose that you’ll use to clean your house.

The number of inlets in your systems will depend on your preference and the size of your house. A professional vacuum installation company will help you determine the best place for an inlet.

You can then use the power brush unit, connect it to the hose, and use it to clean dirt from your surfaces. The hose will convey the dirt to the tubing, which in turn delivers it to the central power unit. On average, you will have to empty the receptacle once every three months.

Types of Central Vacuum Systems

As they grow in popularity, options for central vacuum systems have become numerous. Even though there are many manufacturers, there are only two products that you should think about when deciding what home central vacuum system to purchase: the power brush and the power unit.

For your power unit of choice, you should consider how much power you need and whether you want a bag or canister unit. If your home is less than 5,0000 square feet, you’ll need 20 amps or less for power. If your house is bigger, you’ll need more power.

The power brush comes in two variations; the electrical power-driven brush and the air-driven power brush. Air-driven systems often cost less to install. There are two main types of vacuum systems, namely filtered and cyclonic. The type of system you choose determines the efficiency as well as the length of life of your central vacuum unit.

All vacuums need a filtration system to clear out the debris. A good machine minimizes debris and maximizes airflow for more power. The buildup of dirt in the filters can lead to the breakdown of the system.

You can use filtered systems with various kinds of filters, such as cloth, screen, foam, or paper, to clean the air that the vacuum takes in. Any filtered systems can have their filters replaced or cleaned. A cyclonic system relies on gravity and the centrifugal force to separate the dirt and impurities taken from the air and deposit the dirt in the bag or a canister. The canister is a plastic unit that is meant for reuse, while the bag is disposable.

Central Vacuums or Portable Vacuums?

The central vacuums edge out portable vacuums on every level. However, it’s possible to find cheap central vacuums. If you settle for central vacuums, expect many benefits, including the following:

• Central vacuum systems take dust and debris through a wall, so the air is much cleaner.
• Central vacuums have up to five times as much power as portable ones.
• Central vacuums are convenient since you don’t have to carry around a heavy unit while cleaning.
• A home with a central vacuum system increases its value.
• Central vacuums are much quieter.

Resources and References:

• Installing a Central Vacuum