Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Were debating whether to carry built in systems. It is not our expertise but we are being asked if we carry them. Soooo what would be your choice of ONE brand to carry if you did and what would be you "go to model" for a recommendation. We have noticed that people who come in and say they HATE their system usually have the "builders cheepo special" and the ones who like their system have the most expensive ones. Sorry this post doesn't have anything to do with Dyson? LOL

If I had a large enough home to warrant a central vacuum setup (3000sf+ IMO), VacuFlo would be my one and only choice.  Has no filters and requires an external vent but doesn't lose suction like most.  That right there would make it very worthwhile.  You could say the VacuFlo is the Dyson of central vacs.  

If money were no object I would definitely go with a self-flushing wet-dry system.  I saw the DrainVac (linked here) ages ago at a home builder's show, and they were quite impressive.  I've heard they're great machines, and like the VacuFlo do not lose suction, but they're quite expensive as I have heard.  To me, however, that would be a small price to pay for not having to see or touch the dirt, ever.  Plus I've looked and the dealers seem to be limited, so you would be one more on the map.

As for power nozzles, either Hayden/Cen-Tec, geared belt version, or Lindhaus/Stealth.  Cen-Tec uses a time-tested design that has proved to be very durable and long-lasting (just look at any Kenmore power nozzle).   The performance on the Stealth is incredible, the power nozzle is literally self-propelled and the brush really digs into the carpet.  There's my 2 cents, but perhaps some of the central vac experts would like to chime in here. 

-MH

Motorhead wrote:

Uh oh!!!!

Hello Lucky1:

A little dated, but in July 2004 Consumer Reports rated and ranked Central Vacuums.  10 in all from $500 (Air Vac BV2000KIT) to $1245 (MD Silent MasterS2 104SM). 

Beam (Serenity Plus 2775 with Imperial Power Team Classic 775) for $880 was best for 6000 sq ft/more along with Nutone Quiet Series CV750 with CK 350 and EUREKA the BOSS Plus CV1801 with CV205G (EUREKA rated a CR Best Buy).

The Air Vac for $500 was rated a Best Buy for homes up to 2400 sq ft.

If you want a copy and can't find it, let me know.  I'll be happy to send to you.  I suspect CR will be updating its CVS-s again soon.  At least, I hope so.

Carmine D.

As a former owner of a Eureka built-in and a current seller of Eureka built-ins I'd suggest buying a Beam.  Actually I'd suggest buying a Nilfisk but I don't believe they sell them in the US as of yet.  Vacuflo is a nice choice if you can vent the machine outside but you'll want to make sure your neighbors are not in close proximity otherwise you'll be spewing dust clouds onto their house. Hose and powerheads are as important a consideration as the machine itself, perhaps more so as those are the pieces that you are using all the time.  Swivel hoses are a must, 3 way switching not as much but is a nice convenience.  I have a preference to the Wessell Werk powerhead (it's what I use) as I find it far more manuverable than the Centec / Kenmore heads.  One thing I have noticed with the Centec heads is a tendancy for brushroll meltdown due to the amount of hair and threads that get wrapped into the end bearings.

Dusty

Best bang for the buck in central systems is NUTONE, The priceing is realistic and the supply and back up is great.

Bagged ,bagless,systems that will handle up to 20,000 sq ft.

Been in business for ever, [they even have a built in utility valve], The attachments they offer are cen-tec, not bad but better out there.

Hey Lucky, its about time your thinking about coming out of the stone age,and into the 21st century,central vacuums have been around since the early1930's

MOLE

Motorhead wrote:

Did you know that the drain vac is illegal to install in most states,check it out with the building inspector and look at the codes............

MOLE

mole wrote:

Hi Mole,

Is there any particular reason why?

Venson

mole wrote:

It’s illegal in Canada too but I believe it varies from district to district.  Biggest problem is you’re dumping carpet fibre and solids directly into your cities sewer system which goes against most bylaws. I know the guys who clean carpets with truck mount units have to dump their water at special facilities where solids can be screened out before hitting the sewers.

 

Dusty

Thanks Dusty.  I was wondering what the real deal on this was.  We have or had a ban on garbage disposers in New York City.  Why?  Because the unions were afraid that sanitation workers might be put out of work.

Venson

mole wrote:
I wasn't aware of that, no mention is made of that on the US DrainVac dealer websites either.   Makes me wonder what the intentions are, $#%* is theoretically OK for the sewer system (not to mention all of the chemicals dumped in there from various sources) but carpet fibers aren't?!  Ridiculous to say the least. 

And what about the people that regularly dump their Rainbows and carpet extractor recovery tanks down the toilet? 

Ordinances can't (and won't) control everything...

-MH