Street Spirit

Anyone have experience with a standard vac and a push vac? How do they match up? What did you like and dislike about either system?

Our dog sheds a lot. Our Kenmore vacuum was beautiful....until we got the dog; the filter just fills up too fast.

AdamNJ

Dyson. Your filter will keep filling up unless you get the dog to stop sheding.

TzarChasm

Central Vac is MUCH better, however I am not sure how it works if you don't have it put in when the house is being built. I hear you about the dog, ours was 180 lbs had long hair and was a champion shedder.

Pros:
One of the great things about the central vac was it had a 6? gallon tank which meant it could hold a lot of stuff. It also had terriffic suction even three floors up, and its way more quiet than a normal vac since the motor is in the basement.

Cons:
they are that it is more expensive than a normal vac. I don't know how they put one in an existing house. The hose is a pain in the ass to carry because even though its not heavy, it has to be long enough to reach every corner of the room, so it is awkward.

Street Spirit

Sorry...just to clarify, central vac is already roughed in. We'd just need to buy the unit, etc. and install it in the garage.

Street Spirit

Yeah, I tried asking the dog to stop shedding, but he just didn't listen. His black hair actually gathers together on the carpets and forms a bunch of tumbleweeds. ....That doesn't include all of the fine, individual hairs that aren't as visible.

dom

I haven't used a regular vac in about 20 years so I can't comment. But we haven't had any problems with a central. Very convenient.

And don't forget to get a second hose and put in a hookup for the garage.

Also, Dan should be able to complete the pipe install himself. Its a piece of cake.

hornyleprechaun

SS I just bought the Dyson Animal (DC07) from Target for $450 after tax. Best investment ever. My black lab sheds a lot, and this thing sucks it up right into the canister. It has a 5 year warranty, and the HEPA filter is a lifetime filter.

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

I want to get a Dyson, but wife won't let me.

svtmike

Get it for her birthday.

Street Spirit

I've seen that a lot of people own Dysons here. But for a few hundred dollars more, if central vac is just that much better than any push vac (and it might be a good resale feature), why not just get the central system? /devil's advocate

Street Spirit

With a quick search and no sale prices or coupons, the Dyson Animal DC14 appears to be $649.99 CAD, while the Animal DC15 is $699.99 CAD.

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Her birthday is coming up. Honestly, if I got her one, she would divorce me.

nothing like getting something YOU want for HER birthday!

svtmike

I've done it before and it hasn't gotten me divorced. You just have to cast it as part of a larger program to improve her housewifery.

jupitersolo

I know you can get a nice lens for just a little more, but the DC14 is worth it. We've had one for three years since we got Shayne, much worth it.


Hell, Hugo has enough fur to make two regular dogs and he's only going to get bigger and thicker coat.

Street Spirit

^ Well, we've come to realize that our present Kenmore isn't doing the trick, we're not doubting that. But are you saying the Dyson is worth it because you find it better than central vac? Cuz with those Canadian prices, it's not that much more for a central system, if it's the better option.

svtmike

I like the Dyson for dog hair because it's easy to dispose of the hair and the vacuum doesn't lose effectiveness as the catch bin fills. I've never had a central vac system, so I can't comment on their efficacy (short term or long term) for animal hair.

jupitersolo

Everybody that I've know who has a central vac has not liked it. My boss had the builder remove it for the plans when they were building their home a few years ago. They just provide enough power at the place where you want to clean.

The Dyson has a lot of power and it takes a lot to slow it down.

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

Our central vac works pretty good, and the canister is so big it goes a really long time without emptying which is nice. If you go central vac make sure you get a hose that's 5 feet longer than whatever you think you need. Ours has trouble reaching some far corners in some rooms, which is really annoying.

Fibonacci

There are a few threads on this topic.

Nutshell: Central Vac is lighter, more effective, easier to use.

Those Dyson's are heavy. Not that I care, but wifey does.

csmeance

just a though, how much will it cost to fix if your central vac gets clogged? they would have to find the clog, tear out the drywall and then fix...

Pull vac with a canister is the best in my opinion, its portable so you can clean your car outside, take it to different houses, there's no expensive repair bills for it, and plus it gets the job done very well.

65 Fury Convert

Expensive repair bills? Tear out a wall? If the pipe is clogged you would just snake it to remove whatever is causing the clog.

Yes Central vacs can be installed in houeses built without them.

Fibonacci

They can be, but it's more expensive. Most Canadian homes are built pre-plumbed for Central Vac, unlike US homes which is why the OP is asking (I think).

jezebel

Would you be using the central vac on hardwood mostly or carpet? I find that it works great for hard floor surfaces, but the carpet attachment isn't so wonderful. I usually pull out the Dyson for area rugs and the carpet in the basement. Maybe we just have a crappy carpet attachment though.

I love my central vac, but I hate putting the long ass hose away!! I usually trip over it for a day or two before I actually put it away. Plus it kinda collects debris while your cleaning, so when you go to put it away you find little piles that the hose collected on the floor.

cM3go

Go buy the dyson, try it, if you don't like it, return it. I imagine maintenance on a central vac will be more expensive.

Again, if you don't like the dyson, get central. I don't think any free standing vacuum will beat a dyson, so central vac would be the only other option.

TS_eXpeed

I like the central vac. Parents house has one.

Yes, the hose can be a pain sometimes, but I like it much better than when we had push.

Street Spirit

The areas that collect the most dog hair (where he spends the most time) are carpeted. Those are the spaces that the Kenmore push vac can't seem to keep up with.

P.S. An overdue CONGRATS!

Fibonacci

Not really. You just empty out the bucket twice a year. And I don't see the big deal about the hose, it's light weight and easy to move around.

Kitchen vac pan is awsome - highly recommended as well as a hose attachment in the garage.

Street Spirit

Anyone have experience with the Dyson Animal DC23 -- the canister/newest version of the Animal, not the upright...

curls

I recently bought a central vac (by CanaVac - the 399LS for those that are in the market). It's absolutely great for our two cats who shed like crazy sometimes. The hose is very light, the powerhead is a MUST for carpet (air-powered does not work well on carpet, but full electric powerbrushes destroy any dirt/hair in their path... it's amazing!).

Street Spirit, if you're near Markham, These guys are great for prices: http://maps.google.ca/maps?source=ig...26602999535070

I got mine for about $700+tax or so... can't remember exactly, but that included everything plus a hardwood floor mop that really does wonders on the hardwood and tile areas of our house.

CanaVac makes an excellent unit and is Lamb-powered - a HUGE improvement over lesser brands in terms of motor power and reliability.