The ultimate in
cleaning convenience and efficiency.
Dust, dirt, pollen, dander,
fur and hair - there's no end to the stuff that accumulates in our homes, and
getting rid of it can be a real chore. In addition to the
trusty broom and dustpan, many home owners use a small vacuum for the stairs and the car,
an upright for the carpeting, and a shop vacuum for the garage. They all
need filters, belts and periodic maintenance or replacement. It's hard to
believe that a central vacuum could replace most of these cleaning tools.
Although normally associated
with new construction and expensive homes, central vacuum systems can be
installed in most existing homes and are actually quite economical. They add
resale value to your home, so a central vacuum is an investment that should pay for itself.
Health: One in three people in the U.S. have dust-related
allergies and the EPA estimates that
indoor air may be up to five times more
polluted than outdoor air. Even though portable vacuum makers call attention
to their HEPA (high-efficiency particle arrestor) filtration, it only filters
down to .3 micron at 99.97% efficiency. Smaller microbe-laden particles,
viruses and bacteria are still passed back into the room being vacuumed. Ordinary dust bags offer little resistance to
these tiny particles; microbe laden dust passes through a standard bag like a
fly through a chain link fence. A Central vacuum unit on the other hand removes
100% of all viruses, pollens and bacteria vacuumed and removes them
safely out of your home when fitted with an outdoor exhaust. A filter inside
the unit protects the motor from damaging dust particles and prevents fine
dust from collecting on the outside wall, walkways and gardens.
Power: The second reason to choose a central vacuum is cleaning
power. A central vacuum unit can be as much as five times more powerful than
conventional vacuum cleaners and since it is located in a remote location, the
sound produced by the central vacuum (without the
powerhead) is minimal. It is
easy to talk over the sound of an operating central vacuum, and TV, music and
telephones are clearly audible.
Finally, a central vacuum eliminates the need to drag a
clumsy machine around the house, banging up walls and furniture in the
process. Portable vacuums have to be lugged up and down the stairs, and in the
case of canister vacuums, they have the potential to fall down the stairs if
tugged while cleaning. The dirt capacity in a central vacuum is generous too;
it usually requires emptying only once per year. As a final enticement to the
homeowner, built-in vacuums typically retain their full value when a home
sells and is considered a home upgrade which may increase the value of the
home - something that can’t be said for a portable vacuum.
Central Vacuum Benefits
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Allergies? 100% of pollens, viruses and
dust vacuumed are exhausted out of your living area. Conventional vacuum
cleaners exhaust back into the air you breathe (Even with a HEPA filter).
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The cleaning accessories which come with a
central vacuum are generally much better quality than those which come with
uprights and canister vacuums.
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A central vacuum is a sales feature which
increases the value and sales appeal of your home.
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Cana-Vac offers a Lifetime Limited Warranty
where as most portables offer only a year or two warranty.
-
Since a central vacuum is usually located in
the basement, garage or storage closet, it is much quieter than portable
vacuums.
Power Units
Surprisingly, nearly all vacuum
system manufacturers go to the same motor source, Ametek/Lamb. The real difference is system design. Some
manufacturers boast the most power by using dual motors, different filtration, no filters etc. Others, like Cana-Vac, build units which promote reliability
and longevity while at the same time offering very powerful vacuum systems.
The leading cause of failure in a central vacuum motor is dust followed by
heat. The life expectancy of any manufacturers unit will depend on how they
address these two issues.
Regardless of the power unit
you choose however, it is undeniable the importance of the cleaning
accessories which accompany your system. Cleaning accessories will determine
not only your satisfaction with the system, but also the cleaning performance
of your system.
System Sizing
More power does not always
equal better system performance. It is best to choose a system based on the
size and application of your home rather than trying to buy the most powerful
system you can afford. To begin with, a central vacuum is more power than a
conventional vacuum so don't worry about performance. It is possible however
to have too much power, meaning your cleaning accessories will want to
"suck" to the floor. If your home is enormous (12,000+ Sq. Ft), you
should consider installing two independent systems rather than just one big
vacuum. This is simply because the more pipe you install the greater the
performance drop due to friction loss. Ultimately two smaller independent
systems will offer more power than one big one.
Clogs
This is the number one
concern for anyone considering purchasing a central vacuum. The truth is that
it is highly unlikely. The hose and fittings are all 1 1/4" in diameter
while the vacuum tubing in the walls is 2" in diameter. Any clogging that
does occur is likely to be in the hose or at the valve inlet. A clog that
cannot be cleaned manually can usually be blown out by reversing the suction.
If necessary, most power units can be lifted off the wall and used like a
utility vacuum to suck the clog out of the offending valve.
Retrofit Installation
Though it is better to have
your home fitted or "roughed in" for a central vacuum during the
construction of your home. It is still possible to retrofit your home years
later. Approximately 20% of installations are retrofits. Retrofit costs in
some cases may be the same as in a new home depending on the level of
difficultly.
Choosing Your System
When choosing your central cleaning
system, it is important to first consider the following:
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How large is your home?
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Do you have pets and/or children?
-
How much and what type of carpeting do you have? (Thick knap
or low knap)
-
Do you have mostly carpeting or
hardwood/ceramic flooring?
The above considerations will
influence what system is best suited for you. In homes which have carpeting, we
always recommend the Premium Pack.
This is simply because it is a very durable kit, with many features which
make the chore of vacuuming much more pleasant. In fact, when working within a
budget, it is better to choose a premium accessory package and opt for a less
powerful central vacuum than it is to buy the top of the line central vacuum
with a basic accessory kit.
Choose a system within your budget,
yet is powerful enough for the size of your home. Our model of choice is the
model 399LS which offers incredible power yet is affordable at the same time (This
is our number one selling unit). If your home is so large and you are thinking
of installing a dual motor system don't. Dual motor systems do not last nearly
as long since they are both competing for the same vacuumed air which makes them
run faster. Plus when one motor in dual motor system fails, you may never even
know it. It is better to install two separate systems in a very large home, much
like you would with an alarm system or furnace.
We all know that when it comes to
pets and children, there generally tends to be a little more cleanup which is
why we offer a large body series which has improved performance and increased
dirt capacity making for less frequent emptying.
Overall, it is our experience that
a model 399LS matched with an Ultra Package is the best suited for the majority
of all household applications.
