Central Vac Yea or Nay?

[Hogwildz]

lol, so your nay is because it is easier to carry the Dyson around? How does the power compare? I've read that I can get shop vac performance out of the central, like better than an old school vac?

Yes it is very similar to shop vac suction. I suggest a powered setup with a power head. I got an aftermarket power head off ebay new for about $60.00

 

[SolarAndWood]

Yes it is very similar to shop vac suction.

Now we're talkin. I hadn't considered the exhaust going outside but that is a nice bonus too.

Ok, one last question. Does length of the run matter? The house kind of rambles and the planned utility room I'd like to put it in is probably 100 - 120 ft from the far corner of the house.

 

[NH_Wood]

lol, so your nay is because it is easier to carry the Dyson around? How does the power compare? I've read that I can get shop vac performance out of the central, like better than an old school vac?

I think my unit is about 10 years old, and the Dyson suctions is MUCH stronger. Wasn't impressed with the CV at all. But......we hated the long hose, so I never investigated whether there was a dirty filter issue, or some other reason for the low suction - we weren't going to use it anyway. Cheers!

 

[btuser]

lol, so your nay is because it is easier to carry the Dyson around? How does the power compare? I've read that I can get shop vac performance out of the central, like better than an old school vac?

I think my unit is about 10 years old, and the Dyson suctions is MUCH stronger. Wasn't impressed with the CV at all. But......we hated the long hose, so I never investigated whether there was a dirty filter issue, or some other reason for the low suction - we weren't going to use it anyway. Cheers!

'

If you get more suction from the Dyson then you've got a leaky pipe. I can relate to not wanting to lug around the heavy hose. That to me is the major drawback.

 

[Hogwildz]

Yes it is very similar to shop vac suction.

Now we're talkin. I hadn't considered the exhaust going outside but that is a nice bonus too.

Ok, one last question. Does length of the run matter? The house kind of rambles and the planned utility room I'd like to put it in is probably 100 - 120 ft from the far corner of the house.

I don't know what lengths they can handle, but your only pulling from one port at a time, so it is not like it is competing with any others. Manufacturer's specs might detail acceptable lengths.

 

[btuser]

As long as the face plate ports are sealed then lenght of pipe can run hundreds of feet. Before the telegraph NYC used to have a system of tubes that could send messages (like banks) from one building to another.

 

[semipro]

As far as lugging around the hose... some systems have hoses that are "self storing".
You the hose out of the pipe and twist to lock them in place, add an attachment and use it, then unlock the hose with a twist, remove the attachment, and cover the end of hose and the its sucked back into the pipe for storage.

 

[MasterMech]

I don't know what lengths they can handle, but your only pulling from one port at a time, so it is not like it is competing with any others. Manufacturer's specs might detail acceptable lengths.

FWIW, We have a huge central vac system at work. It's an industrial factory and extremely dusty. Some of the runs are close to 200 ft with plenty of twists and turns and it pulls just fine. It'll suck up 1/2" Hex Nuts (that's 1/2 inch bolt dia, not across the hex) and you can here them go banging around the pipes until they hit a collection barrel. :D

 

[John_M]

Used a household central vac system about 40 years ago. It had plenty of power and was excellent cleaner of shag carpets. However, it scraped much paint off the outside corners of walls when I pulled the hose from one location to another.

Would not install another central vac system in my new house.

 

[ksfarmgirl]

I love my central vacuum system! I have retrofitted two into houses I have purchased. Neither required any sheetrock repair because I was able to run pipes through the unfinished attic. I have a dust sensitivity so a Central Vacuum is a must for me. I also have a robot vacuum for daily maintenance but it just picks up light dirt. The CV deep cleans. I also love not having to deal with vacuum exhaust and the horrible smell it makes while you vacuum. My central vacuum vents to the outside which is perfect. Here is a post I found helpful:

(broken link removed to http://www.cwcelectric.com/central-vacuum-installation-repair1.html)

 

[Don2222]

That's ironic. We live in a quiet neighborhood and I know exactly when my neighbor's central vac is running. It's quite loud even though it's about 400 yards away.

That is interesting. I have a 240 VAC unit for more power with dual exhaust and it sounded like a jet plane not to the liking of my neighbor. So I just put 2 mufflers made for the vac on the exhaust pipes and now everyone is happy except when I have to dig my sock out of the canister when it accidentally gets sucked up! LOL

 

[fbelec]

don sounds like something tim allen would have

 

[jeanw]

wish we had the" hide hose model. "wish it was available when we installed the unit. Love it just hate storing the hose. Other perg house we put an old GE brand.(1969 or so model . The unit never used. four it at Thrift shop like I believe less than $40...
Unfortunately that Ge unit has the filter bag looks to be "flannel" what a pain. It has to have used a portable shop vac to vacuum the filter bag. wish could have found a replacement for it. the other two prev homes had an easy to clean "filter removable" type.
Definitely "vacuum sock "is needed. Hated first house electric operated carpet attachment. The Turbo cat worked great for carpeting. But got smart and removed the dirt hugging carpeting. Carpeting is so...yuk. Never wanted it again. When moved into the purgatory house. Next day I started ripping it out and refinished the floors underneath..
found outfit the shutoff hoses at the part ou hold indoor hand minus length is I believe 30 feet. which is great for distance but bad when you vacuum close to your "outlet"
Just my experience and opinions

 

[sportbikerider78]

Should be ready to start closing walls up in the coming months and trying to make sure I stuff everything in them before I do it. Any thoughts on whether central vac should be on the list?

Hey Solar and Wood.

Where are you located? I'm in south Jamesville very close to the Pompey line.