Most of the major manufacturers realise that supplying accessory components that compliment their vacuum system and make the cleaning task easier for their customers, can only be an advantage, one of the many advantages to central vacs.  Some central vacuum accessories carry out very specific tasks, which can help to extend the life of your furnishings, carpets and flooring.  If you have a prized red area rug in your home for example, you do not want it to become damaged by being cleaned with excessive force.  So lets have a very brief look at some of the different accessories that top manufacturers of central vacuum systems are offering with their models and which can be purchased at central vacuum stores or online.  This is by no means an exhaustive list, simply an effort by us to provide you with a flavour of what is on offer with some of the more popular central vacuum models.  For this brief snapshot survey we simply went looking as an ordinary potential customer would, to see what accessories might be readily available to purchase if we were to go with a certain central vacuum system.

Affordable Central Vacuum Accessories and Systems

Beam produce a range of central vacuum accessories which include vacuum brushes, nozzles, central vacuum hoses, various hose socks, sound mufflers and floor tools. Their car care kit includes a 30 foot hose, a dusting brush and an upholstery brush.  Their mini-vac set is useful for computer keyboards, air vents and other small and inaccessible places. They have crevice tools, hose socks and vertical blind cleaner attachments.  The folks at Beam have a very large and impressive list of accessories and cleaning supplies.
Eureka have a kit with an impressive list of attachments some of which include a 35 foot hose (or 30 foot, depending on the model), quick connect wands, hose storage bracket, crevice tool, upholstery and carpet nozzle, dusting brush and a handy caddy.  Not bad, but they seem to consider that kits are the way to go.

Electrolux again seem to be big into kits and as an example, one such kit includes an electric power nozzle, a turbo hand-held power nozzle, a rug floor tool, a dusting and upholstery tool, a crevice tool, extension wands, a parquet floor brush, an attachment caddy and a hose hanger. This is quite an impressive list but the items only seem to be offered in a kit and we are not sure can they be purchased individually, if that was our preference.

Broan / NuTone produce a central vacuum ratcheting wand, upholstery tool, pet brushes, dusting brushes, soft bristle brushes, and current carrying hoses.  Maybe the people at Broan / NuTone won’t be best pleased to hear this, but we do not consider their range of central vacuum accessories to be neither large nor very interesting, or maybe they are just not advertised properly. A separate seach as to what NuTone had to offer did not come up with much, except to promote their natural bristle hardwood floor tool, which looked great and their hoses also looked impressive, but we are looking for accessories and lots of them – and they just did not seem to be there. We don’t know why.

The folk at Vacuflo have it all laid out very well and offer such central vacuum parts  as turbo powerheads, for when your carpets need aggressive cleaning action, self adjusting powerheads, puppy powerheads (for budget driven choices), various length hoses, hose socks, light ‘rugrat’ brushes for stairs, adjustable mops, vac pans, dust mop tools, etc.  The display is impressive and individual items are plain to see and easily accessed.

Lindsay Manufacturing produce such central vacuum systems as VacuMaid and AstroVac and these models have a great range of accessories including electric kits, quick clean-up kits, air powered kits, garage kits, accessories and tools for stairs, tools for dealing with pet hair, cars, etc.  Various wands, hoses and hose socks, all available and easily researched.  We are impressed!

Hoover central vacuum systems have crush proof hoses of various lengths, hose socks, car detailing kits, garage and patio kits, various brushes and crevice tools, different nozzles and tools for floors, rugs, pets and stairs, installation kits, attachment kits and lots more.  We find this to be an impressive list of accessories.  Good on you folks!

We really like MD Manufacturing’s offerings also – manta dust mops, central vacuum bags, centra mops, crevice tools, pet hair brushes, pet hair grooming brushes, lint and hair brushes, telescopic wands, hose socks, kits coming at you from all directions – TurboCat zoom kits, TurboCat attachment kits, Stealth kit, BlackHawk kit….. Wow! What great names! We had fun looking at all of these.
That is just a flavor from us as to the kind of central vacuum accessories that are out there for central vacuum systems.  If anyone wants to make a comment on this article, please feel free.  If anyone has come across some interesting, funny or even downright strange central vacuum accessories, why not pass them on to our forum.  We may even feature them!

Related posts:

1. A Laypersons Guide To A Central Vacuum System.
2. Central Vacuum Installation Issues.
3. The Benefits of a Central Vacuum System.

Permanency: If you are ever going to move, upgrade or rent out your home, you will most probably have to leave your lovely central vacuum system behind.  You could take it apart and bring it with you, but there would be a lot of holes left in the walls by the time you were finished.

Hose Lenght: The lenght of the hose can be an issue, as it is designed to be able to reach quite a distance.  Thats great if you are doing a regular vacuum, but a bit of a nuisance  if you just want to whip out the vacuum to clean up that bit of popcorn you spilled on the carpet.

Expensive Extra: A central vacuum system is not a problem if you are at the building stage, with carpenters, electricians and plumbers on hand,but if you are talking about putting it into a existing home, you are calling out these tradesepeople especially, and this can run up the installation costs considerably.

Manufacturer Longevity: Try to pick a trustworthy manufacturer that has a proven track record, otherwise, when you need additional accessories or replacement parts in the future, the company may not still be around.  It is easy to find manufacturers with a good reputation Vacom, Nutone, Hayden, Vacuflo, Eureka – oh why did I start, now I’m going to insult somebody by not mentioning them !

Central Vacuums. Image courtesy of www.cuttingedgehe.com

Location of  base unit: You would think that the obvious place to locate the base unit would be in the basement (if you had one).  However, with some systems, by the time the power of suction reaches the upstairs, it can be very much reduced.  So a better place to put it is on the ground floor.

Base Unit Bags: It can be difficult to purchase base unit bags in your local shop – order them by the box from a supplier so you don’t get caught out.

Accessories / Attachments Storage: Some of the central vacuum systems come with a heap of accessories (yippee !!), but it can be difficult to find a suitable location to store all of these in a convenient place and remember, they do need to be accessible for when you are vacuuming.  Also you will need to have some sort of trolley / container to carry all of them upstairs and downstairs with you.

So, no doubt the benefits of a central vacuum system still far outway the central vacuum disadvantages, but there is no harm in looking at things from every angle.

Related posts:

1. A Laypersons Guide To A Central Vacuum System.
2. Central Vacuum Accessories.
3. Central Vacuum Systems

Versatility: A central vacuum system provides great versatility, as you can clean every corner of a house quickly and efficiently.

Powerful suction: Central vacuum units have very powerful motors that are many times stronger than the mobile vacuums. This enables your central vacuum to clean deep down into the carpet removing all of the unwanted dirt, mites and other unwanted particles.

Quietness: A major benefit of central vacuum units is that they are located either in a closed closet, or preferably in an adjoining garage.  This in itself reduces the noise in the residence considerably.  Additionally some central vacuum systems have silencing technology built in to make them even quieter.  MD’s Silentmaster would be a strong example of a system that brings noise suppression to the fore.

Central Vacuum. Image courtesy of www.jltelectriccorp.com

Allergy Avoidance: A major benefit to people who install a central vacuum system in their home is the improvement in the air quality and cleanliness.  Allergy suffers find a noticeable reduction in their symptoms and condition, because with a central vacuum system the dirt and allergens are removed from the living area.  Central Vacuum Systems are recommended by physicians and allergist to help minimize annoying symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and eyes, nose and throat caused by allergies.  Many vacuum systems now contain HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particle Arrestor) to reduce airborne dirt and allergens.

Adding Value to your Residence: There is no doubt that having a central vacuum system installed in your home will add to the resale value, should you decide to put it on the market.

Cost Saving: Central vacuum systems have been proven to be more durable and less expensive to maintain than traditional vacuums.  You will over the long term spend less on replacement and parts with a central vacuum system.

The Long Reach: Central vacuums come with a long central vacuum hose that makes them ideal for cleaning the car and all those other places that you have difficulty cleaning with a regular vacuum cleaner.  They also come with a range of central vacuum accessories that will assist you with specialist tasks around the home.

Modern Lifestyle: In these modern times, hard working couples want the benefits of modern living.  So systems and appliances such as central vacuum systems, LCD TVs and LCD TV Stands, jacuzzi baths, under floor heating and other modern appliances are becoming part of modern living.

Carrying and Storage: The difficulty of carrying a portable vacuum up and down stairs is in sharp contrast to the ease of simply plugging in a hose into a wall socket.  This is similar in terms of versatility to what backpack vacuum cleaners are capable of.   There is also the not insignificant detail of where do you store your mobile vacuum, whereas it is easy to store a roll of hose.

Related posts:

1. A Laypersons Guide To A Central Vacuum System.
2. Central Vacuum Accessories.
3. Central Vacuum Installation Issues.

Another factor, which can deter people from considering central vacuum installation, is the consideration of installing the system.  It is easy to get quotes from recognised suppliers for such systems a s Airvac, Beam, Astrovac and Vacuflo to name but a few.  These companies supply excellent systems with plenty of accessories.

Depending on the type of home and it’s age, installing a C.V. system may not be terribly problematic and considering the benefits of the system, it may be that you should consider all of the possibilities before discounting it.

To install a central vac system into a previously built home may take a bit longer and may also cost a bit more, but it may be able to be done.  If it going into a home that is still at the planning stage, or that even has commenced construction, things may be a lot easier.  It is easier for the company installing the system to work when the other items such as wiring and plumbing are being added.

Central Vacuum installation. Image courtesy of www.think-smart.co.za

Old homes may not be able to have a central vacuum installation as the walls may be too thin to carry the p.v.c. pipes.  However most walls will have plenty of space for piping and the fact that a regular central vacuum hose can be up to 40′ long does allow for adaptation of your residence to a central vacuum system.

Are you brave enough to install your own system?  There is no doubt that if you do take on and install the central vacuum system yourself, you will save quite a bit of money, but you should be prepared for quite a bit of work.  You will be handling and installing such items as a motorised pump and canister, thinwall p.v.c. pipes and fittings, and other such items.  Websites such as Popular Mechanics give a lot of help and instruction. If you have DIY skills and the necessary tool and equipment this might be for you, otherwise hiring a qualified person may be the safest option.

If you are getting a professional make sure that they are licensed and insured.  This will be important at a later date if something goes wrong, or if the system does not operate the way that it should. Also it would be important to get more than one estimate, as estimates can vary greatly.  Do not be tempted to take the first one – it pays to shop around.

If you are considering central vacuum installation by your self – follow the instructions very carefully and you will have a better chance of not having a problem at completion.  If you have to get in someone to fix or re-install you original work it may cost you a lot of money.

Related posts:

1. Central Vacuum Accessories.
2. A Laypersons Guide To A Central Vacuum System.
3. Central Vacuum Systems

Selecting a central vacuum system for your residence requires some time and a bit of research, because firstly, you need to understand what you are looking for.  There are advantages to central vacs and also some disadvantages to the systems and all issues should be considered pre-installation.  This is especially important because these systems are usually quite expensive to purchase and install. You will want to know that you are getting value for money and also that the system is going to meet the particular needs of your house. To describe a central vacuum system is to say that it is a small attachment that connects to an area of your walls. Than what you vacuum, (or hoover up), is sent through a series of internal pipes in your walls and collected in a convenient area for disposal. There are several things to consider with regard to a central vacuum system:  

The power of the system – This is known as the suction power or ‘waterlift’.  If the central vacuum is not strong enough for your home, then results will be poor.  

Size of your residence – Before you purchase any particular central vacuum system, you need to know the internal floor area of your residence.  The power of the system needs to be adequate to clean your house properly.

Illustration Of Central Vaccum System courtesy of www.alarvac.com

Guarantee / Warranty – As with any sizeable investment, you want a full warranty in the event of something malfunctioning with the system.  You would also like to purchase the system from a reputable supplier that is going to give you good after sales service.

System power – It is advisable to get the most powerful system within your price range, as this will ensure the best results from the system.

Extra Features – Different systems will have additional features and it will be up to you to decide which of these features may be of interest to you.  For example it would be a good idea to look for features such as a filter that improves the air quality of the residence. Also there is a company which produces a suction hose called hide-a-hose for example, which is a neat way of storing the hose. You might also consider installing a heat recovery ventilation system along with a central vacuum system – obviously installing such a system will cost more, but may well be a choice worth considering in order to increase the energy efficiency of your home.

Accessories – The best systems come with a large range of accessories, which will be of assistance to you in cleaning a large array of different surfaces easily.  Some systems will include these accessories in the purchase price and others will require you to purchase these separately.  It is important that you are at least able to purchase the accessories for the system at some point in the future, i.e. a system that does not manufacture these accessories may not be the best choice for you.

There are many central vacuum forums on the internet that may be of help to you  if you are considering purchasing a C.V.S.  Don’t be afraid to ask a question or leave a comment if it suits you to do so.

Related posts:

1. Central Vacuum Accessories.
2. Some Disadvantages of a Central Vacuum System
3. Central Vacuum Installation Issues.

Central vacuum units remove this dirt to a collection unit located either in a separate closet / press or an adjoining garage / store. By removing the dust particles from the area being cleaned, this eliminates the potential for ‘recirculating’ dust within the living accommodation and contributes directly to a much cleaner home. Central vacuum systems are now more commonplace than heretofore, so central vacuum repair companies and parts suppliers are also more plentiful

Beautiful Flowers - But What About The Pollen? You May Need A Central Vacuum System. Image courtesy of www.z.about.com

Studies have shown that frequently passing a vacuum cleaner or ‘hoovering’ improves air quality of a residence by as much as 52 %.  A very important aspect of your home is the quality of the air you breathe. Indoor air pollutants are a common cause of allergies and other health problems.
Using a central vacuum system can significantly reduce your exposure to these airborne particles.  Ordinary, or portable vacuum cleaners recirculate dirt and dust into the air while they are operating.  That dirt and dust contains bacteria, mould and other airborne particles.

Asthma can be caused by  dust mites, moulds, smoke, pets and many other domestic situations. Dust mites are tiny insects that are invisible to the naked eye. Every home has dust mites. They are found in mattresses, pillows, carpets, upholstered furniture, bedcovers, clothes, stuffed toys and fabric and fabric-covered items.

Dust mites can trigger asthma in individuals with allergic reactions to dust mites, and exposure to dust mites can cause asthma in children who have not previously exhibited asthma symptoms.

Moulds are microscopic fungi that live on plant and animal matter. Moulds can be found almost anywhere; they grow on virtually any substance when moisture is present.  Moulds produce tiny spores to reproduce, just as plants produce seeds. Mould spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. Some moulds grow on wood, paper, carpet and foods.

With all ordinary vacuum cleaners a portion of the dust is picked up and redistributed back into the room through the exhaust. This adversely affects those suffering from asthma, allergies or respiratory problems. A central vacuum system removes dust and dirt through pipes.
This reduces the need to dust and when a vacuum system is vented externally it represents the only form of vacuum cleaner that can boast genuine 100% filtration, depending on your central vacuum selection.

Related posts:

1. The Benefits of a Central Vacuum System.
2. A Laypersons Guide To A Central Vacuum System.
3. Some Disadvantages of a Central Vacuum System