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

I would look at the different brands and see which power nozzles they offer to sell with the systems. They all look familiar, as we've seen them on various brands of vacuums. Look for a power nozzle that you recognize as being high quality and reliable. You'll probably recognize it when you see it. Personally, I like the Cen-Tec units with the height adjustment and geared belts. The Quiet Drive types are great. The "Stealth" nozzles from MD Systems are good too, but they'll be a bit pricey because they're made by Rotafil in Italy. I'm not familiar with the DrainVac brand, but I've noticed that they do sell Sebo power nozzles with their systems. I have one of those nozzles on my Felix upright. It's indestructible. As for the the different brands of motor/tank assembly, they're all pretty similar. Most of the brands offer bagged/bagless, and sophisticated electronics to monitor the bag and filter. 

Sometimes, I wonder if the ones who "hate their systems" do so because the tools that came with the unit are inadequate. I've house-shopping lately. I'm looking at homes much larger than what I've owned before. I've seen several homes that had really powerful systems from Beam, Vacuum Maid, SilentMaster. These houses all had the added expense of Hide-A-Hose installed, so I assumed that the builder went to alot of extra expense. What was disappointing was that not one of these home builders had a power nozzle as part of the tool package. In fact, all of these that I saw were straight suction units, and these were homes with extensive carpeting. On top of that, my Mother in Law moved earlier this year into a 5000 sq. ft. home that had the most ancient looking Nutone system in the garage. No hose or tools were to be found. After I determined that the unit had adequate suction (for its age, mind you), I went to Lowe's for a 25' pool hose. I then went to a vac shop and bought about 25 old Elux power nozzle cord straps for the hose, a Nutone hose fitting for the wall outlet, a six foot long pigtail cord (as used for older central systems), and a salvaged late model Kenmore PowerMate nozzle with hose and wands. When I was finished, my end result was a poor man's version of an electrified central vac hose with a Cen-Tec power nozzle. It looks straight out of Dr. Frankenstein's lab, but it works perfectly and has more than enough suction. I had to something because her whole house is full of that "frisee" carpeting, and it was tearing up her Dyson DC 07.

Lucky1 wrote:

I'll bet that it will eventually get compared to Dyson.

Speaking of which -- is there any particular reason  that power nozzles and/or power nozzles with attachment sets for central vacuums should end up costing as much a complete vacuum cleaner?  I seen price tags past the $400 mark.

Not meaning to digress . . .  if I were living in a space where a central vacuum would prove practical I'd be eager to learn about a wet/dry system like Aqua-Air.  https://www.centralvacuumstores.com/pdfs/cvs/viewpdf.php?pdf=AquaAir

The idea of an all-in-one system is attactive to me as it may mean less to have dig out of the closet for all around cleaning.  Although it strikes me as a real move toward progess, I do not know how complicated, problematic or expensive it would be to also provide individual water supplies for each of the suction ports placed throughout the average house.  Central vacs designed for dry pick up only also do have optional tanks that can be used for wet pick up. 

Venson

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