Whole house vacuum systems, also known as central vacuums, are a convenient and efficient way to clean your entire home. They use hidden pipes to transport dirt and debris to a central canister, eliminating the need to lug a heavy portable vacuum from room to room. In this guide, we’ll explore how whole house vacuums work, their benefits and drawbacks, and whether they’re worth the investment for your home.
Understanding Whole House Vacuum Systems
Whole house vacuum systems are built-in cleaning vacuums that provide you with an alternative to traditional portable vacuums. Before looking at the specifics and deciding if you want one in your home, you need to understand what they are and how they function.
What Is a Whole House Vacuum?
A whole house vacuum is a centralized cleaning system installed directly into your home. It has a main motor unit typically located in a basement, garage, or utility room and is connected to pipes running through your walls. Instead of moving a heavy vacuum from room to room, you’ll plug a lightweight hose into wall inlets located throughout your home.
How Does a Central Vacuum System Function?
Central vacuum systems create strong suction through a network of pipes. When you plug the hose into a wall inlet, it activates the main power unit. As you vacuum, dirt and debris are sucked through the hose and into the pipes, which carry them to the central canister.
A whole house vacuum, or a central vacuum system, is an appliance that sucks dirt through hidden 2-inch pipes down to a 12-gallon canister in the basement. The system’s motors provide significant suction capacity, often two to three times that of a portable vacuum.
Benefits of Installing a Whole House Vacuum
Whole house vacuums have many advantages over traditional portable vacuums. We’ve put together a few of the key benefits that make these systems more attractive to homeowners.
Improved Air Quality and Reduced Allergens
One of the biggest benefits of a central vacuum system is its potential to improve indoor air quality. Unling portable vacuums that can recirculate dust and allergens, central systems exhaust air outside the living space, reducing allergens in your home.
Convenience and Ease of Use
Central vacuum systems eliminate the need to carry a heavy vacuum up and down stairs or from room to room. The lightweight hose and attachments make cleaning easier, especially in multi-story homes.
Increased Suction Power and Cleaning Efficiency
Whole house vacuums typically have a more powerful suction than portable vacuums. This increased power can lead to more thorough cleaning in less time. The system’s 185-cubic-feet-per-minute capacity is often two or three times that of a portable vacuum cleaner.
Potential Drawbacks of Central Vacuum Systems
While these whole house vacuum systems have many benefits, they also have some drawbacks to account for before deciding on installation.
Initial Cost and Installation Considerations
The biggest drawback of a central vacuum system is the initial cost. A whole house vacuum system, including installation, typically costs around $1,585 on average. This upfront investment is significantly higher than purchasing a portable vacuum cleaner.
Maintenance Requirements
While maintenance on central vacuum units is fairly minimal, it does require some attention. You should dispose of the paper filter bag every six months and change the motor brushes every three years. Neglecting these tasks can lead to poor performance or system damage.
Potential for Accidental Damage
The powerful suction of central vacuum systems can sometimes lead to issues. Grant Olewiler of M.D. Manufacturing warns, “You have to be careful because things you don’t expect will go right down. I’ve had people vacuuming out a bird cage and get too close to the bird.” Be careful when initially using your new system, as it will be much stronger than a portable vacuum.
Components of a Whole House Vacuum System
Understanding the key components of a central vacuum system can help you make an informed decision about installation and maintenance requirements.
The Central Power Unit
The main part of the system is the central power unit, typically located in a utility area like a basement or garage. This unit houses the motor, which provides suction power for the entire system.
Tubing and Inlets
A network of PVC pipes runs through the walls of your home, connecting the central unit to inlet valves in each room. These inlets are where you plug in the vacuum hose when cleaning.
Attachments and Accessories
Like traditional vacuums, central systems have different cleaning attachments. These may include floor bushes, upholstery tools, and crevice nozzles.
Installation Process for Whole House Vacuums
The installation process for a central vacuum system varies depending on whether it’s being installed in a new home or an existing one.
New Home Installation
Installing a central vacuum system during new home construction is usually easier and less expensive. The pipes can easily run through open walls before drywall is installed.
Retrofitting in Existing Homes
Central vacuums can be retrofitted into older homes, though it will be a long and more extensive process. Usually, installation will take about a day and involves running pipes through walls and installing inlet valves.
Cost Analysis: Whole House Vacuums vs. Traditional Vacuums
When deciding on a whole house vacuum, you need to weigh the costs against traditional portable vacuums.
Initial Investment
The initial cost of a central vacuum system is significantly higher than that of a portable vacuum. However, these systems often come with longer warranties. As Peter Pavlick of Ametek notes, “You’re dealing with a bigger motor, which lasts a lot longer than the smaller ones in portable machines.”
Long-Term Savings and Value
While the upfront cost is higher, central vacuums can provide long-term value. They typically have a longer lifespan than portable vacuums and can increase your home’s resale value.
Comparing Different Types of Central Vacuum Systems
There are three main types of central vacuum systems to choose from, each with its own method of collecting first and debris.
Cyclonic Systems
Cyclonic systems use centrifugal force to separate dirt from the air, allowing it to fall into the canister while exhausting clean air.
Filtered Systems
These systems use inverted filters at the top of the canister to trap dust while allowing larger debris to fall to the bottom.
Bagged Systems
Similar to portable vacuums, bagged systems collect dirt and dust in a disposable bag within the canister.
Maintenance Tips for Whole House Vacuums
Proper maintenance improves the longevity and efficiency of your central vacuum system.
Regular Cleaning and Filter Replacement
Regular emptying of the canister or replacing bags is necessary. For filtered systems, as Pavlick says, “take a close look at how easy it is to remove and clean all the filters. If you don’t keep them clean, the motors will burn out sooner.”
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Common issues might include loss of suction or strange noises. Many of these can be resolved by checking for clogs in the hose or pipes, checking that the canister is properly sealed, or replacing worn brushes in the motor.