Explaining how central vacuum systems works should not be a terribly difficult task to undertake.  However sometimes terms such as ‘cyclonic separation’ and ‘low voltage hose connectors’ get sprinkled about by manufacturers and by salespeople in central vacuum stores and this only serves to confuse people.  Here we hope to avoid any complicated descriptions and to try to explain about C.V. systems as simply as possible.

Central vacuums, otherwise known as ‘built-in vacuum cleaners’ or ‘ducted vacuum cleaners‘ operate on a different principle to mobile vacuum cleaners.  With a central vac system the motor for the vacuum and also the dirt storage area are moved to a central point and all of the dirt that is being vacuumed from the living area is transported to that point.

Central Vacuums Will Bring Fresher Air To Your Home.

This is done by having a network of PVC piping installed in the walls of your home.  Inlet points which are connected to this piping are then placed throughout your house and at these inlet points you insert a central vacuum hose which will allow you to vacuum that area of the house and which will suck any dirt back to the base unit.  A central vacuum hose is typically about 25’ to 35’ long, which gives a good range of movement to the person that is cleaning.

The base unit  (motor, filters and dirt collection ara) are usually stored in a service area within the home, be it a garage, attic or basement area, and there are several advantages to this that we will come to later.  Base units contain either central vacuum bags for collecting dirt or perhaps a canister.  When the system needs to be emptied a warning light will come on, indicating that it is time to take action.  C.V. systems are durable, have a long life span and central vacuum repair should be quite easily carried out, obviously depending on the problem and the system type.

Central vacuum cleaners have quite a few advantages over mobile vacuum cleaners.  Here listed are the main advanatages:

•    Because central vacuums have a larger fan and a more powerful motor, they generally have better suction than a moble vacuum cleaner.
•    Despite being more powerful, the fact that the motor is kept in a service area of the residence means that there is less noise in the living area of the home when the system is operating.
•    Because the base unit and filtration system is located away from the living area, no dirt is allowed to circulate back into the living area, which is a benefit to all of the family members, but particularly to allergy sufferers.
•    As the dirt bag or canister is much larger than that of a mobile vacuum cleaner, the system needs to be emptied far less often.
•    The manufacturers of these systems also bring in a large assortment of central vacuum accessories that help you to carry out a range of specific cleaning tasks.  Central vacuum parts are also easily available online.

As you see, a C.V. system operates on a simple principle of removing the dirt from the living area and depositing it in a service area of the home.  It is not a difficult system to operate and while it central vacuum installation can be carried out on most homes it is easier to install a central vacuum  system while the house is under construction.

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Central vacuum cleaners are now becoming more accepted as a feature being offered by builders in high end, new build schemes and which are also being considered a necessity in one-off houses being built by couples that consider a good cleaning system to be a priority. With there being more central vacuum systems on the market, and given that we are in recessionary times, the price of C.V. systems is becoming more reasonable and customers that are good at driving a bargain are finding suppliers more willing to negotiate on price.

Like an automobile, there may be many models and styles on offer in the marketplace, but the basic operating idea remains the same.  When it comes to central vac installation there are 2 basic systems, filtered and cyclonic.

Filtered systems do pretty much what the label says – the central vac cleaner uses a filter to clean the air that the central vacuum cleaner has taken in, before it passes the motor and is re-released into the environment. This system works well, and does ensure that the motor is protected, but the filter does need to be kept clean and replaced regularly.  If you allow dirt to build up in the filter, it will effect performance over time and may eventually lead to damage of the system.  Do not let this fact put you off purchasing a filtered system, the same reasoning would apply to giving your car an oil change and if you don’t do that at reasonable intervals, your car will suffer also – it is just good maintenance.

Illustration Of A System For Central Vacuum Cleaners. Courtesy of www.robert-thomas.de

A cyclonic system is the opposite to a filtered system, in that it uses force to separate the dirt and dust from the air.  As the dirt spins in a cyclone-like action, the air pressure forces nearly all of it into a bag, or a canister.  There is usually a small residue of dirt, between 2% and 10% depending on the efficiency of the system, that does not get removed from the air when you are vacuuming, and this gets put through a second filter.  This is why central vacuum manufacturers claim that they can get 100% filtration with a system working at peak efficiency.

However I think it is always good policy to ensure, where possible, that your C.V. system, be it filtered or cyclonic, is vented to the outside of your residence.

All central vacuum cleaners are very strong and claim very good filtration, but whereas your regular vacuum is mobile (and follows you around), a central vacuum is stationary, is usually located in a store, attic, garage or basement and therefore is in an ideal position to be vented to the outside (if the containing room has an exterior wall), thereby guaranteeing that all of the air that enters the vacuum system is expelled to the outside.  C.V. cleaner base units can even be located in a metal carport.  If you do locate the base unit in a carport, venting to the outside would not be necessary.  Carports are relatively simple to build and you might even consider erecting one for the purpose of holding the base unit for the central vacuum system.

With both filtered and cyclonic central vacuum cleaners there is the option of a bagless system (canister), or a bagged system. The decision here is whether you would rather clean out the system manually when it is necessary, or would you prefer to take out a sealed central vacuum bags.  Personally I prefer the bagged system, and if you suffer from dust allergies of any type, you should seriously favour the bagged system.  The bags also make the whole cleaning process more hygenic and do provide an extra filter of sorts when the system is operating. 

Many people find the cleaning of a canister to be a dusty task, even though a central vacuum cleaners will hold a lot more dirt than a regular vacuum and will need to be emptied only infrequently.

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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.

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1. Central Vacuum Accessories.
2. A Laypersons Guide To A Central Vacuum System.
3. Selecting a Central Vacuum for your Home.