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central vacuum system installed in an existing house.
QUESTION: I'm considering having a central vacuum system installed in an existing house.
Though it seems like a good idea, I've never used one, and would like to hear
from anyone with experience with them.
Also interested in brand recommendations.
Thanks in advance.
ANSWER: I had done some research but not bought one. A few factors that came to
mind were:
1. If you have to install ducts, make sure the plugs you install include a
connection for a carpet brush. I think if you want to install such a
system for convenience, you should certainly not have to connect the
carpet beater into a neighbouring receptacle! Likewise, I would install
"automatic plugs" that start and stop the unit automatically.
2. Make your ducts accessible and easy to clean. Use large radius elbows
and tees, and -- why not -- install cleanouts in strategic locations.
Better be safe than sorry!
3. Unless you can install your exhaust outdoors in a secluded location,
use a muffler. I can point you to quite a few houses in our city that have
central vacuum : we hear it from the sidewalk. I like to vacuum when I
want and dont want to consider it as a high noise activity like
construction... Likewise, there is some dust escaping from the exhaust :
dont install it on a white or black patio...
4. One store I visited a year ago had a Central Vac installed (dont know
its brand name) that lasted barely a year. The unit still works but does
not sucks anything. Granted there is much more sand in a Montral store in
Winter than you will ever see on your floors, but I realised that bagless
and filterless central systems have one basic design flaw: grit goes into
the engine finns and slowly sands them, reducing the efficiency of the
unit.
Therefore, I think one should look for either a cyclone or cyclone + dust
filter (ideal) BEFORE the engine, rather than after.
5. Accessories must be easy to use. I did not like the feeling of the Beam
and Nutone ducts. With the length of flexible duct one must use (20 or 30
ft), it must be really flexible but not flimsy.
I liked very much accessories sold with the Electrolux model, and I liked
the fact its engine was well built, but its specs (power and pressure
drop) were not the highest in town. Although it would be OK for a decent
house, I dont know how it would work in a 2500 sq ft or 4000 sq ft house.
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