While the Internet is awesome for figuring out answers to everyday questions, it is not always so hot for getting unbiased facts about a product. When you are looking around the web for Central Vacuum systems Information, for example, you will come across far more vendor websites than you will ones dealing with user experiences and editorial critiques. Getting a fast education on the basics of how this appliance works will serve your purposely greatly.

It really isn’t surprising that vendors and salesmen are staking out the informative queues online. If you are looking up stats and information on central vacuums on a whole or a specific kind of central vacuum in particular the odds are tremendously likely that you are a consumer ready to buy, and if your wallet is on the table in front of the computer as you are doing research companies will do anything to make sure that their name comes up on the screen in front of you as you are looking—which actually works to your advantage in many cases.

If a company has people in it who are invested in the product they are selling, and who can answer specific questions and provide details on the product you are looking for, they will likely be a great place to buy from. Checking out company blogs and following links can be a quick and easy way to check up on potential buying sources, see their prices, and see if they have the knowledge and intelligence in their design to suggest that they are good for your business. Then again you can get lost in the links and the sales pitches very easily, so knowing specifically what you are looking for, information wise, and where to find it is equally important.

The main thing you will be comparing when looking at different systems, if you are in the beginning stages of your central vacuum search, will be the power unit that will be the heart of the whole operation. Each central vacuum unit has different levels of electricity that it draws from the main circuit of your home, and that in turn dictates what type of suction power the entire appliance will have. More power means greater suction force across a wider area of space—a cleaner house with less passes with the hose assembly.

You also need to look at utility. A bag less Beam central vacuum may work better than a Miele model which will need occasional replacement of Miele Vacuum bags. This can save you money long term as you never need to dump a bag but only empty hard plastic containers filled with debris.

The type of hose is another consideration. While most hoses are industry standard there are a few weird brands out there just waiting to be discovered, which will be a pain when you decide to invest in a dog grooming kit for your central vacuum, try to replace the hose with a generic replacement, or hook up a carpet cleaning kit.

So when looking at each component you will have to be mindful of how large your home is and how many rooms the system will need to reach. From that power unit tubes will extend into the walls and make runs across the entirety of your floor plan, connecting to wall inlets that will be tactically situated in key access points. Even in smaller houses more access points require more power. Very large houses, of course, are going require large motors, lots of tubing, and possibly even a multiple stage system.

Also be aware of receptacle size if you have pets or kids that like to track lots of dirt and debris into the house on a regular basis. More animal fur and other junk means that a small receptacle will fill up a lot faster than a larger one, which in some ways can defeat the purpose of going with an expensive system since you will be emptying it out just as often as you would a push model.  Check the amount of space stored inside the different models you are considering.

Now, if you are sick of partisan information, try looking for central vacuum forums online. These forums are populated by experts and by users, reviewing what happened with their particular models, and giving advice to newbies. Just be aware that even with the best moderators many forums still contain a lot of spam and advertisements, so try to filter the genuine information from the not so genuine.

It is a question that a lot of new central vac owners ask, and it makes sense. After all a central vacuum system isn’t all that complicated in design or use, and trying to tackle installation yourself can end up saving you big bucks and a heck of a headache when things are all said and done. Well I have been looking up central vacuum blogs online and I feel pretty confident that I can provide you with a guide to whether or not you should consider installing your central vacuum yourself.

First the parts. You have the central vacuum assembly itself (the motor, filter, and canister), then inlet and outlet tubing, outlet covers, and the hose assembly itself. Again, the design isn’t hard, but parts of the installation can be.

One potential upset involves the supplies you will need. While some do try to use standard PVC piping for their central vacuum installation, there is a reason that no vacuum association recommends it. The piping is too narrow and too rough on the inside, creating an environment where clogs can form more easily (and snaking your home’s system is a pain). You are going to need special tubing, as well as bends and connecting pieces for corners.

You may also need an electrician as well, to set up the switches and hook your new central vacuum into your home’s power system. Attempting to install the pipes is one thing, as anyone can get into a wall and clean up. But if you mess up power you can blow your home’s wiring or hurt yourself very badly. Unless you have the right skills and training, don’t mess with that part at least.

Central vacuums are unparalleled as far as their ability to thoroughly vacuum floors with powerful, penetrating suction power and interchangeable power head attachments. But what about turning your central vacuum cleaner into a carpet cleaning kit complete with a water extraction system? Normally to get a thorough steam cleaning you need rent a high powered extraction system from a local company—which may not seem like much of an expense with your central vacuum keeping your floors clean on a daily basis.

However, having the system on hand can be a boon for occasions of large spills in your carpet or other emergencies, as using an extraction system on stains before they dry can save carpets from replacement on the spot. More than that, the system is much lower-key than a full rental from a local company and delvers the same deep clean results.

The reason it all works is the strength of the central vacuum absorbing and extracting the moisture from the carpet in order to leave the carpet nearly dry, usually completely dry after only two hours or so. The convenience of the lightweight attachment also makes it possible to use on stairs and other hard to clean carpeted locations. While hooking directly into your home’s hot water source is difficult, the advantage of a carpet cleaning system available 24 / 7 is absolutely worth the investment. Again, the versatility of the central vacuum with the long hose and high suction make the system a convenient and thorough method for proper carpet cleaning all over your home.

3. Keep your bag empty. The common wisdom to empty your bag if it gets within one third to one half full. This works very well to keep your vacuum sucking hard and long (as a full bag will add resistance to the system and make it harder for your vacuum to filter) and it should be done—unless you can invest in a bag-less vacuum (like most modern models). If not don’t just throw your bag away, you can easily empty the debris and then reuse it repeatedly to save on the cost.

4. Check the vacuum belt. Experts are quick to recommend that individuals, especially if vacuuming hard and often, replace their power belt every three to six months. Fortunately you can easily check your belt to see if has worn spots, damage, or is loose and therefore check whether it really needs replacement or not. You can also count on modern vacuums to have a lot more longevity built in, one more reason to upgrade.

5. Check your filter. Vacuum filters are designed to catch debris, whether that means pennies, lint, nutshells, hairs, rubber bands, toys, or more. The more gets into your filter, the less space there is for the vacuum to pull air through, and then the harder it has to work and the less efficiently it will begin to work. Check your owner’s manual to see if needs replacing, or if you can simply clean it yourself. Different kinds of vacuums will have different requirements.

 

 

 

 

These tips, taken from an online site owned by the Discovery Channel dealing with how just about everything works if you take it apart, deals with home appliance and home vacuum longevity—and I think these points are worth mentioning on this vacuum blog for your reading pleasure. So I present the following five tips to help you keep your vacuum cleaner vacuum cleaning for as long as possible.

1. Keep your brush roll clean. This one is a big deal in my family home as we have girls who, as they do, shed long brown hairs everywhere and those hairs, along with long pieces of string, lint, or thread get wrapped around the brush roll, the power head meant to help lift and filter dust and dirt from carpets. Having even a small amount of this debris clinging to your role while you vacuum will add resistance to the appliance which will cause your vacuum’s belt and engine to wear out more quickly and also create that ‘hot engine’ smell while you are vacuuming. It is also less energy efficient.

2. Keep your brush roll lubricated. You will need your owner’s manual to do it, and you can usually find a replacement manual loaded online if yours is lost. Remember how it was sitting before you pulled it out, so that you can put it back right. In any case clean out any debris that gets stuck around the bearings and use a little oil to again cut down on friction as you are working.