Water Filtered Vacuum Cleaners – The Story So Far

Posted on June 21, 2011 by

Water filters in vacuum cleaners operate by passing the air that has been suctioned into the machine through water thereby removing dust and particles of dust from the air.

For some time water filters  were a popular option in vacuum cleaners, but public perception favours HEPA air filters and as such there are not too many water filtered vacuum cleaners on the market today.  There are various reasons why one might prefer to have a vacuum cleaner which is filtered via an air filter as against a water filter.

Both HEPA and water filters are designed to remove small particles of dirt from the air.  HEPA filters have gained a strong reputation for being able to remove over 99% of particles from the air that are larger than 0.3 microns, which is a very small particle.  Water filters do not have this reputation, even though many owners of water filtered vacuum cleaners are very happy with the performance of their appliances.  As a result the production of HEPA filtered vacuums is consumer driven, in that the manufacturers are giving the customers what they are asking for more.

You will find that all of the top manufacturers of vacuum cleaners and systems produce a much greater range of HEPA vacuum filtered appliances than those with water filters.  Therefore even if you are favourably disposed towards a water filtered type cleaner, you will have less of a range of quality cleaners to choose from.

Given that water is a weighty substance, (remember that a half gallon of water will weigh about 4 pounds), having a water filter vacuum cleaner  will add to the weight of the cleaner.  HEPA filters are lighter so their inclusion in a vacuum cleaning appliance will not add greatly to the overall weight.

Maintenance of a water vacuum can also be of concern to potential purchasers of water filtered vacuum cleaners.  One is supposed to change the water in the filter after each use of the vacuum cleaner.  In these times of maximum convenience, many people do not consider this to be something that they want to do.  Changing dirty water that contains particles of mold, dirt and other allergens is also something that should be done with a certain amount of care.

One advantage that a vacuum cleaner water filter can boast of is that sweet smelling fragrances can be added to the water and this scent then circulates around the area being vacuumed.  While this can certainly be an advantage in some cases where there is a tendency for unpleasant odours to be present, you have to be careful not to release chemicals into the atmosphere in a situation where there are people who suffer from allergies and respiratory problems , as the chemicals can create further difficulties for these people.

There are other disadvantages to HEPA air filtered cleaners, including the fact that they have to have a strong motor in order to allow for the forcing of air through their very dense filters and also that they can be expensive to purchase.  There are manufacturers producing modern water filters which are giving a better performance than their predecessors.  So whereas at the moment air filtered vacuums and particularly vacuums with HEPA filters have the upper hand in terms of public popularity, the star of the water filtered vacuum cleaner may again rise.

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Why Vacuum Cleaner HEPA Filters Are Recommended

Posted on June 21, 2011 by

Vacuum cleaner HEPA filters may sound like pretty high technology items, but these filters are simply advanced air filters that are able to trap very small particles of dust and dirt and remove them from the air.  In the case of vacuum cleaners this prevents the small particles from escaping through the filter and from getting back into the room space from where they have just been removed.

HEPA stands for ‘high efficiency particulate air’ and vacuum cleaners HEPA filters are incorporated into quality appliances, which allows the appliances  to do an excellent job of giving not only the floor surface of a home or business premises a deep clean, but also the air.

These filters are not a new discovery, having been first  invented more than 60 years ago and have been in use commercially from around that time.  Without getting too technical it is helpful to know is that HEPA filters can remove from the air almost all of the dust, smoke and other particles that are larger than 0.3 microns.  There are tests that are carried out on HEPA filters to determine that they are HEPA worthy.  If these filters can trap 99.97 of particles that are 0.3 microns or greater, then they will be accredited with this on the packaging label.

As with any product that is successful in what it does, HEPA filters are regularly copied, but perhaps not as successfully.  Less than perfect filter products may be said to be ‘HEPA like”, but if you check out the stats on these products, you will find that they are not capable of the same performance as a true or absolute HEPA filter.  If you are in doubt, always check the stated efficiency capability which must be displayed on the product packaging.

Where HEPA filters are most popular as part of a vacuum cleaner  is at  the homes of people who suffer from allergies, because the filters will be able to remove pollen spores, dust mites and many other irritants which can have an exacerbating effect on asthma conditions and lead to sneezing, coughing and the display of other allergy symptoms.

If a HEPA filter for a vacuum cleaning is to operate properly in an appliance than the system has to be sealed and all of the vacuumed air that contains particles of dust and allergens pass through the filter prior to the air being expelled.  A system that lives up to this standard may be labeled “Sealed HEPA”.  Again there are many vacuum cleaners that are not constructed in this way and therefore care has to be taken when looking to purchase a vacuum with HEPA filter installation.

One of the disadvantages of HEPA filters is that they can cost considerably more than other air filters that do not have to pass such exacting standards in production.  Many home and business owners have to weigh up the cost of purchasing a vacuum cleaner or system which are fitted with true HEPA filters against the benefits that such appliances or systems can bring.

 

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Central Vacuum Repairs – What You Should Know

Posted on June 20, 2011 by

If you have purchased a central vacuum system for your home, then you are not going to be tempted to discard it and purchase a new one as soon as something goes wrong with it.  This is one of the saving graces of central vacuum systems – they save us from ourselves and our propensity to purchase something new all of the time, a temptation that owners of upright and canister vacuum cleaners are only too aware of.

Having said that you do need your vacuum system to operate properly and you do not want to have to spend too much money calling out repairmen for what could be simple enough problems.  So here are some of the more common problems that effect central vacuum cleaners and some central vacuum repair tips that you might like to take note of, as they may help you fix the system before you have to call for help.

Most central vacuum repairs have to do with the airflow in the system.  If the airflow to your system appears to be reduced in any way, it could be the result of one of several factors.  The vacuum bag or the canister in your base unit could be full, in which case a warning light should have come on.  By emptying the bag or canister you should have full airflow again.  Your filter bag could be damaged and if it is, it needs to be replaced as it collects the dirt.  One of the system’s filters or vents could also be blocked and it will pay you to keep a regular eye on any filters or vents in the system and ensure that they are free from obstructions.

If the airflow is greatly restricted then you could be suffering from a blockage in the system of some sort.  If the hose is clogged you can either reverse the hose temporarily and hopefully blow out the obstruction or insert something like a garden hose that will allow you possibly to clear the obstruction manually.

If you feel that the tubing is blocked you can pass a small lightweight cloth through each of the inlets and if it arrives back in one piece to the base unit then that portion of the tubing is unblocked.  If it is torn when it arrives back then there is possibly a partial obstruction at some point.  By putting your hand over the hose and building up air pressure before releasing you may be able to unblock a partial obstruction.  Many central vac repair tips are simple enough to execute and can save you a lot of money on callout charges.

If you find that you have a complete blockage in one of your tubes then you will not be able to build up air pressure by blocking the hose with your hand.  Instead you can get a mobile vacuum cleaner and try to suck out the obstruction from the base unit end.

Should you find that you have a leaking system and that there is a loss of pressure for this reason, you should check that all of your inlet covers are in place, that you do not have two hoses plugged in at the same time, or that you do not have a damaged hose.  You can repair central vacuum hoses either by replacing a portion of a damaged hose or you can use recommended PVC glues that are on the market and which will seal the leak  (be sure to follow instructions carefully).

If you come across an electrical fault in your system, the best advice is to get professional help unless you are used to dealing with electricity and feel competent in this regard.  Always turn the system off at the mains before attempting any repair work.

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