|
 |
Vacuuming floors may often seem like a tedious chore,
and lugging around a bulky vacuum around the house can be both annoying
and exhausting at the same time. Thankfully, however, with the advent of
the central vacuum, this type of vacuuming system can help you handle
this common household duty with minimal noise, dust, and yes, even
effort.
Standard vacuum cleaners are devices that use air pumps to create a
partial vacuum to suck up dust, dirt, and debris from floors. This dirt
is then collected by some kind of filtration system or cyclone which
aids in disposal. Like standard canister or upright vacuums, central
vacuum cleaners use suction motors and bags to help remove particulates
from carpets and hardwood floors. However, they are different from
standard vacuums in that their motors and bags are located in a
central location within a building. Vacuum inlets are strategically
situated in various places within a home or building, and the only thing
that needs to be moved from room to room is the vacuum pickup head and
hose. |
A central vacuum's hose is usually approximately 8 meters in length and
allows for a large range of movement without requiring the changing of
vacuum inlets. This long hose thus provides a great deal of mobility for
the person operating the vacuum, as it eliminates the need for large
equipment to be transported from one area to the next. To connect the
vacuum outlets to the central unit, plastic piping is used, and the head
of the vacuum can either be unpowered or utilize beaters that are either
operated by an electric or air-powered motor. As debris is sucked up
into the vacuum, the material is deposited into a large dirt bag located
in an out-of-the-way location like a garage or basement, and this
usually only needs to be changed once every several months, depending on
use. Central vacuums are usually in "stand-by" mode, and they can either
be powered by a switch or when the hose is connected to the wall inlet.
 Vacuum
Cleaner Buying Tip: |
| When choosing a
central vacuum, be sure to match the power of the
unit to the size of the house. Always consider
the square footage of your home and the total length
of pipe required to service the system. |
Besides ease in portability and maneuverability, another benefit of a
central vacuum is its sheer strength. Because of its size and
location, a central vacuum has the ability to create more suction than a
conventional vacuum clear due to a larger stationary fan and motor.
Also, unlike a standard vacuum cleaner, a central vacuum removes dirt
and collects it within the central unit. No dust is recirculated back
into the room being cleaned, and the remote location of the vacuum
itself results in less noise when compared to a conventional vacuum
cleaner.
To install a central vacuum system, a central power unit must be placed
in a remote area such as a garage, basement, or utility room. Wall inlet
valves are installed in various locations throughout the house, and
these valves are connected through the plastic tubing as mentioned
above. The number of inlets to be installed will depend on your needs,
such as square footage or the number of stories in your home.
In terms of the different types of central vacuum systems, because they
are becoming increasingly popular, options have also become more
plentiful. There are currently two main types of central vacuum
systems available: filtered and cyclonic. The type of system you
choose will greatly influence the efficiency and longevity of your
central vacuum unit, as the system's ability to minimize debris while
maximizing airflow power is absolutely critical.
Filtered central vacuum systems can use many different types of filters
such as foam, screen, cloth, or paper, and like any type of filtered
system, these filters will need to be regularly cleaned or replaced. On
the other hand, cyclonic systems use centrifugal, tornado-like force and
gravity to separate dirt from the air sucked in by the vacuum, and they
typically deposit this dirt into some type of canister (although some
systems may utilize bags).
The other main decisions you will have to make when choosing a central
vacuum will be the power of the unit and the power brush. Most central
vacuum manufacturers will recommend that a unit of 20 amps or less is
sufficient for a home of less than 5,000 square feet. As for the power
brush unit, there are electrical power brushes or air-driven (turbine)
power brushes, and the one you choose will depend on personal
preference. For example, turbine systems can be less expensive to
install because they do not require electrical wiring into the wall
inlets. Nevertheless, regardless of the type of central vacuum system
you choose, central vacuum systems offer convenience, greater vacuuming
power, and ultimately a cleaner home.
Vacuum Guide Main Page >>
See Our Selection
of Central Vacuums >> |
