Central Vacuum Cleaners Reviews
A central vacuum system (sometimes called the whole house vacuum system) is a cleaning device installed throughout the building. Located in the garage or basement, a canister receives dust and debris sucked in by the force of a motor from wall outlets, which are positioned for the owner’s convenience.
While many Americans are unfamiliar with centralized vacuum cleaners, they are not new inventions; The idea dates back as far as the 1850s in Sweden, where fans powered by animal traction were used to create suction by installing pipes in the wall. However, the horses were later replaced by servants, who pumped giant bellows or pedaled stationary bikes, until finally they were replaced by electric motors.
Central Vacuum System
A little later, however, portable vacuums became available, and central vacuum systems were forgotten due to their relative expense. Their hibernation ended in the 1990s when growing house sizes and air quality concerns combined with the availability of the most economical plastic pipes, the most powerful engines, and the most refined filtration systems.
Still, to this day, American homes are dependent on portable vacuum cleaners, in contrast to Canadian and Scandinavian homes, where central vacuum systems are more common.
Types of Central Vacuum Cleaners
The types of central vacuum cleaners available include:
- Cyclonic: The air is spun in a boat and expelled into the open air. Location is critical for those units, as it is possible for the expelled, dust-laden air to find its way back into the house through open windows. This filter should be removed and cleaned periodically
- Inverted filter: Dust enters the vacuum canister in the middle of a whirlpool that looks like a tornado in the air. Plus, the canister should be emptied periodically, and always outside the house. Allergy sufferers may find removal unpleasant as mold and other debris become airborne
- Disposable bag: The dust is sucked into a paper bag in the same fashion as for portable units. This is perhaps the cleanest and most hygienic method available, as mold spores, bacteria, and other debris are physically separated and stored in a bag from which they cannot escape
Advantages of Central Vacuum
Central vacuum systems have some advantages over portable units, some of them are as follows:
- They are enduring. Its motors can handle more use than typical portable units. Warranties, too, are usually longer for centralized units
- They are silent. Because the motor is located outside of the living area, users are not subject to the noise created by the motor, which can be excessive and stressful
- Additionally, they can be retrofitted to fit in older homes, or embedded in new construction
- They are a good investment. Just as a kitchen renovation or a new deck will make the home more valuable, many buyers will pay extra for a home equipped with a central vacuum
- They are hypo-allergic. Unlike portable vacuum cleaners, which recycle air back into the room, dust-laden air is blown outdoors from central vacuum systems
- A comprehensive study conducted at the University of California Davis School of Medicine compared portable units with centralized units and concluded that “a central vacuum system would provide the best (allergen extraction) as it would be installed outside of the living area and / or ventilated exteriors."
- The system is easy and safe to use. There are no heavy equipment to carry from room to room, and there are no electrical cords to trip over or grab onto furniture
Disadvantages of Central Vacuum Cleaners
The disadvantages of central vacuum systems include:
- A good system can cost $ 1,500, which is much more expensive than even premium portable vacuums
- Damage caused by inadvertently vacuumed items. With the higher power comes a higher risk that large items will be sucked in, potentially causing damage to the unit. Stories abound of the units becoming stuck or broken when they swallow, often in the hands of children, broken glass jars, bathwater, and even domestic birds. Portable units are usually too weak to properly vacuum items that can cause them to break
- Moreover, a system compromised by weak aspiration. Such a problem may be due to a clogged outlet or tubes, an excessively dirty filter, or a full canister that needs to be emptied. If the unit is not working at all, the motor may be broken, a circuit breaker may have tripped, or the wiring may be faulty
In short, central vacuum systems are convenient, powerful, and expensive household cleaning devices.
Furthermore, we pick some of the great products and provide you a complete review of the best central vacuum powerhead in detail for your home or commercial use.
