Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 7, 1994 TAG: 9406210043
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: David Butler
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: Central vacuum systems indeed have much to offer when compared to portable models. Their larger motors can develop a higher velocity airflow with stronger suction - a clear advantage when cleaning carpets, rugs and other interior fabrics. The extra power helps remove dust and grit from carpet backing, often a problem with portable vacuums.
Another advantage central vacs offer is their lightweight tools. No more banging furniture and walls as you lug a heavy machine around the house. Furthermore, stairway and above-floor cleaning is much easier without the power unit in tow. You'll also note a dramatic difference in the noise level because the canister is hidden away in the basement or garage.
Perhaps central vac's most important benefit is its contribution to indoor air quality. Since no vacuum cleaner can trap spores, mold and other microscopic irritants, they're simply propelled into the air as you vacuum. Because of its remote location, a central vacuum effectively removes everything it picks up. If a family member is particularly sensitive to airborne contaminants, make sure you choose a system that can be exhausted outdoors.
How you exhaust your system may also depend on the type of filtration method used. Cyclonic vacuums capture dust by ``slinging'' it against the interior walls, forcing it to drop into a removable container. Optimal performance will be maintained even as the container fills up. Although a screen keeps pet hair and thread out of the motor, small dust particles are expelled through the impeller, thus requiring an outdoor exhaust.
Models that use paper or cloth bags can exhaust directly into the garage or crawl space. The same is true for several cyclonic models that use a low-maintenance conical filter (also protects the impeller and motor). Some manufacturers claim their filters are so effective that you can install the canister inside your home. While this may be no worse than using a portable vacuum, I'm not sure why anyone would want to exhaust a central vacuum indoors!
As with any vacuum, you should clean or replace bags and filters at regular intervals. Before selecting a particular model, be sure to compare maintenance requirements. The best designs deliver consistent power as they fill with dirt, thus making them easier to maintain.
Most homes require between two and four vacuum inlets. Using a 30-foot flexible hose, a single inlet per floor is adequate for most multilevel homes. Behind the wall, 2-inch PVC tubing connects each inlet to the power unit. For maximum suction and air flow, duct lengths should be minimized and fitting shoulders should form a smooth interior surface.
When it comes to cleaning tools, the biggest choice to make is between a motorized carpet cleaner and an air-powered ``turbo'' brush. While the latter is less expensive and easier to use, it's not as effective as removing ground-in dirt. When operating a motorized cleaner, you'll either have to hassle with a power cord or use an ``electrified'' hose (requires special powered inlets or an electrical outlet next to each inlet).
The main unit switches on when you insert the hose into an inlet. While most systems offer hoses with a built-in switch handle, a wired hose's uneven interior surface can cut performance by as much as 50 percent! One company solves this problem with a wireless switch that attaches under the hose's handle.
For a list of manufacturers of central vacuum systems, send $1.50 and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to David Butler, F-227, in care of the Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491.
The list includes phone numbers and a summary of each company's products. You'll also receive information on ordering do-it-yourself instructional videos.
by CNB