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

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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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

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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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

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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Positive Central Vacuum Reviews

Some of the central vacuum reviews mention the following aspects of central vacuum systems that homeowners find particularly favourable:

· Many homeowners comment on the fact that these systems are so quiet while operating.  If you have been used to using an upright vacuum cleaner that obviously has the motor following you on behind while you are vacuuming, then a central vacuum system, is bound to impress you.  This is because the motor is in the base unit, which is usually located in a service area in the home.
· Central vacuum reviews also comment on the deep cleaning power of these systems.  C.V. motors are extremely powerful, mainly for the aforementioned reason that as the motor is stored in a static location, it can be much larger and up to 10 times more powerful than a motor you have to pull around the house.   As you would expect this extra power enables the system to remove dirt and dust that is ingrained in your carpets, rugs and flooring.
· The comment has also been made in a lot of central vacuum reviews that installing a C.V. system will add value to your home when you decide to sell.  As most homeowners do not remove a central vacuum system when they are leaving their home, as it would entail the removal of pipe work from walls, etc, it is good for them to know that they will benefit from increased viewings and probably increased offers on their home by having a central vac system installed.

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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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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!

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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