Central Vacuum

Central Vacuum Parts

If you have recently purchased a quality central vacuum system, then there is a good chance that you will not need to get any additional or replacement central vacuum parts for the foreseeable future.  Central vacuums are robust systems and much of the system is hidden away from the homeowner and usually the only part on view is the central vacuum hose.  This is in sharp contrast to a mobile vacuum system, which is within constant reach of younger family members, (who just love to bash it around a bit).  This means that mobile vacuums get a lot more wear and tear than a central system.

However, given that all systems age eventually and apart from that, advances in production technology can mean that a product or central vacuum accessory will come on the market that you may want for your existing system, there will be times that you will want to obtain a central vacuum part for your system.  There are several ways that you can go about this – online, through your local electrical goods store or possibly direct from the manufacturer.

Central Vacuum Parts

Central Vacuum Parts

Shopping online for parts for central vacuum systems is probably the most popular option.  There are various advantages to shopping online in general.  Online shopping brings the world to your fingertips and you can get quotes from manufacturers and stores worldwide.  Form the comfort and privacy of your own home you can shop and compare quotes on components for central vacuums and get the best deal and there can be very good deals out there.  Depending on the size and weight of the part involved however, you may wish to keep a watch out for shipping costs that will be added on the total price quoted for the part.  For small or light parts, such as seals or even vacuum bags, shipping may not be so expensive.  But if you are getting a heavier part shipped from another country or continent, then the weight of the item could drive up the final price you have to pay.  Be conscious also to pay attention to the return policies that online companies have in place.

In addition to dealing with online suppliers of central vacuum parts, you may decide to purchase the part you require through such sites as Amazon or eBay.  Again, it is important that you are aware of the details of your purchase, and to know that items on eBay could be second hand.

If you are unsure of your system or of which part it is you require, then there are many online forums that should be able to assist you in finding what you require.  These forums normally are free to join and you can post up your individual query and get a prompt reply.  Simply search under ‘central vacuum forums’ and you should be able to go from there.

In order to avoid paying shipping costs and obviously in order to help play your part in sustaining your local economy, you may prefer to shop through a local dealer in central vacuum systems.  Many homeowners prefer to pay a bit extra for the opportunity of dealing with someone that they know, or someone that they can face across a counter, especially if something goes amiss and the wrong part gets delivered.  A local store-owner, knowing that his reputation is important in the community should be very amenable in assisting you to obtain the proper part for your system.  

Finally, you may wish to deal directly with a manufacturer with regard to a particular part for your system. This would be more likely to happen in the case of a faulty original part and it is also probable that your central vacuum installer would be doing this for you.  However if you have installed your own system and find yourself looking for central vacuum parts and dealing with a manufacturer, attempt to strike up a relationship with an individual in the department you are dealing with.  In this way will not get pushed around between departments and you stand a better chance of getting your problem sorted.  All of the main central vacuum manufacturers have an online presence and you can contact them in this way, or through toll-free numbers that they supply on their sites.

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Central Vacuum Bags.

If you are considering installing a central vacuum system into your home, you should be aware that some systems collect the accumulated dirt in central vacuum bags, that are located in the base unit, whereas other systems use a canister, or bagless system of collection.

There are advantages to each type of system.  Many people consider that bagging the dirt is a more old fashioned type of system and that it is better to empty the canister when it becomes full in the base unit.  When the canister needs to be emptied, a warning light flashes in the unit and you take the canister out to your compost heap, or trash receptacle and empty it.

However, this system does mean that there is certain amount of dirt and dust floating around while you are taking the canister out of the base unit and disposing of the contents.  If you are someone who suffers from dust allergies, you may be especially indisposed towards having to empty one of these canisters.  For this reason, you may prefer to simply take a full bag of dirt from the base unit and throw the dirt and bag into the trash, thereby having no dust escaping into the air. 

MD Hyperflow Central Vacuum Bags

MD Hyperflow Central Vacuum Bags

Many of the modern makes of central vacuum bags are built to a very high standard and are strong and durable, so there is little chance of them becoming torn or damaged when you are inserting or removing them from the base unit.

Let us give 2 examples of bags for central vacuum systems that are presently on the market. 

· One example comprises a pack of 5 central vacuum bags, each of which holds 8 gallons of waste.  These bags fit many makes of central vacuum cleaners that use bags including Modern Day, Silent-Master, MD and Flo-Master units, once the total unit height is under 34 inches.  This product is called a Hyperflow bag and has a high specification with regard to filtering and air flow.  This product markets at around $18 online.
·  Another Hyperflow product comprises 5 bags which hold 12 gallons of dirt each.  The main difference between this bag and the previous product is the holding capacity of the bag.  This product markets at around $22 online.

Whether you install a central vacuum system that uses central vacuum bags or a canister, it is good to know that most of these systems only need to be emptied infrequently, perhaps once in three months.  When you compare this to a portable vacuum cleaner and think how often you have to empty the cleaner and replace the bag, you will realise that emptying a central vacuum cleaner is a much less labour intensive task.

Central vacuum bags are not to everyone’s taste.  Many customers favour the canister system and many manufacturers offer a larger range of canister models than models which hold bags.  However, for those who rather the bagged system of disposing of the waste from a central vacuum cleaner, there are still plenty of models to choose from.

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Central Vacuum Hoses – The Choices

If you have purchased and installed a central vacuum system into your home, you will know that having a quality central vacuum hose is very important, both for the comfort of the user and for the improved cleaning benefits it provides.

There are various types of central vacuum hoses on the market, and depending on your system or individual circumstances, one type of hose may suit better than another.  As an example, below we will look at the different types of hoses being marketed by MD, an American company, which has been involved in the production of central vacuum parts since 1961.

Central Vacuum Hoses / Central Vacuum Hose

Central Vacuum Hoses

Electric Hoses:
These central vacuum hoses are made of a light material, which is crush resistant and very durable.  Being light it is very easy to transport around the residence and this is very important because, as with all central vac hoses, it is the only portion of the system that you are in constant with.  The electric hose is so called because you can control the operation of the system from the handle of the hose with a 3-way switch.  The head of the hose has a 360 degree swivel head which helps to avoid kinks in the hose.  The airflow to the hose can be adjusted.  The manufacturers recommend that a hose sock be used with this hose to prevent marking furniture and that it be stored in a wall-mounted position.

Low Voltage Hoses:
The main difference between an electric hose and a low voltage hose is that this hose has a lesser voltage traveling through the hose.  Other than that there is little to differentiate between the two, as they both are compatible with most other brands.  The low voltage hose is available in a shorter length, having a hose length range from 15 to 50 feet, whereas the electric hose is available in lengths of 30 and 35 feet.

Basic Hoses:
They are what they say they are – a basic central vacuum hose that reliably carry out the functions of a central vacuum hose.  The only feature that is missing from a basic hose that is available on most of the other models is the on / off switch, which means that you have to bend down and detach the hose from the wall in order to turn off the vacuum system.

Stretch Hoses:
These hoses have advantages over other central vac hoses in that in their storage position they are only a few feet long and yet they can stretch to over 25 feet when necessary.  In a home where space is a priority, a stretch hose is an accessory that has to be considered seriously.  Stretch hoses however, as with the basic hoses, do not have an on / off switch located in the handle.

Quick Click Hoses:
MD promise that the Quick Click central vacuum hose will improve your cleaning experience due to its ease of use.  The Quick Click modular hose comprises a 20 foot hose with a 10 foot extension  (15 foot available in grey only) and these hoses work with electric and non-electric accessories and attachments.  This system allows you to use lesser or greater lengths of hose for different cleaning jobs. There is certainly a benefit to having a shorter length of hose if you do not require extra length.  These hoses are non-kink and have swivel action.  This hose is not compatible with some Nutone and Vacuflo inlets, so potential purchasers for these models should check with their suppliers.

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