Anyone install a central vacuum system in their home
 

Looking for someone who did it post-construction. Seems like a fairly simple install. Based on what I've read, we'd only need one outlet per floor (hose limit is 30 feet).

Anyone install one? Any tips for routing the PVC piping through the floors?
Any recommendations on brands or places to buy the components?


Thanks.

I'd be interested in what people feel are the advantages to a central vac. I've never had one so I'm clueless.

No clue, but I have heard that people with these setups don't like them after a period of time due to the clogging and lack of power. With no pets you should be good though.

As far as clogging, what I've read is if you have a lot of branches in the PVC piping it tends to be a bigger issue. I'm gonna go with one straight route from 2nd floor to basement.

Yeah. My uncle has one in his house, but they have piping everywhere in the house. It is a real mess and the system doesn't work worth crap.

On related issue - anyone tried backpack vacuums?

Have one, installed it myself but most of the pipe was roughed in. I only had to make connections in the basement and garage. It took about a day and is fairly easy. Just make sure you buy the right elbows and T's and install them in the proper direction.

Using it 3 years and it hasn't clogged once. As for power, make sure you get a good one. Electrolux I think being one of the best.

Also, Ken. I ended up installing a floor outlet in the kitchen for simply sweeping in dirt. Use it all the time. Think about it.

There is an M&S system in the thouse we bought-works like a champ. My wife really likes it.

I moved the power unit in the garage, not hard to do but be aware that they use a 2" od pipe, not the regular schedule 40 pvc you find at Homley Depot. I went to the manufacturers web site to find a local vacuum dealer and bought all the fittings I needed from them.

FWIW, my parents have one in their house (installed with a remodel). They don't like it. They never thought the suction was as good as the more standard mobile units. They also find the long lengths of hose cumbersome to tow around when cleaning. As far as I know, they have not used the central vac in years.

I have no idea what brand they have.

The thread has touched on the basics - Install it with as few kinks as possible, and buy the biggest power source you can for the best suction. Electrolux is one of the best names out there.... if you do those two things, you will probably end up with a system that works. Buy a weak power source and/or build in innumerable turns, and you are doomed.

Central vac systems were a fad for a number of years, and then collapsed in the marketplace due to poor performance. Some manufacturers are making a go at the marketplace again.....

We are currently in the pre-drywall phase of construction. Our new home has central-vac pre piped as a standard feature and I'm meeting with a guy to discuss installing the motor and accoutrements, he's talking price of approx $1700. He said the best thing about central-vac is that it is up to 5 times more powerful than a standard vac. Most importantly, my wife wants it.


So for those of you who have it:

1. Do you still use it?

2. Any maintenance issues/dissapointments?

3. Would you recommend it?

Assuming its hooked up OUTSIDE of the house (in a garage, etc), here are the advantages.

1/ You don't need to lug around a heavy vacuum. Just plug the hose in and go.
2/ You don't vent dirt back into the house, you vent outside. I.E. It cleaner, especially for those with alergies
3/ Its more quiet, since the power unit is outside.


As for power and clogging. You just need to make sure you size the vac for your house. I've never had a problem with clogging and my central vac can suck the paint off my walls :D

1/ Yes. All the time. My standalone vac is sitting the basement
2/ Not yet
3/ Yes, although $1700 seems high. How many sq-ft is your house?

Our unit (3,200) will be installed in the basement with a muffler, they said it would last longer. :shrug:


I presume that to be an fdl seal (:naughty:) of approval. :chuckle:

Hmmm... maybe because of the cold in the winter. Personally, I like mine outside in the garage, but the basement is certainly better than in some closet upstairs. That kinda defeats the purpose.

My unit is rated up for 4000 sq-ft and I only paid $600 or $700 (I don't remember the exact amount). If the house is already roughed in, there really isn't much labor to install it at all. Maybe I'm missing something but $1700 seems high :dunno:

Anyone who has a unit that is clogged is because the owners didn't do the basic maintenance on it. (you are suppose to use a cleaning cloth you suck through the tubes every so often to clean it out)

New central vacuum units are VERY powerful. If you have on that dates back to the 70's or 80's ya it probably doesn't perform well.

That's a good point, I'll be sure to ask him, I know it vents outside, but the actual unit is indeed in the basement.

He said the unit was rated for 5000sq ft because it's better to go big. :shrug:

I'm meeting with him later this afternoon and will grill him with questions.

See if he can break down the unit cost vs labor.

He said the unit is more expensive because it uses a cylonic system instead of a filter. It's called VACUFLO and it also has a lifetime warranty as long as I own the home. It's also rated for 8000sq ft, which sounds like overkill ~ I suppose one can never have too much sucking power. :biggrin:

The cyclonic thing is pretty much standard now, as far as I know. But the 8000 sq-ft might be whats driving up the price. Better to have too much power than not enough:)