Clean air and direct air systems offer different strengths. Science tells us there is no such thing as a perfect vacuum. While clean air uprights do exist, and can do an excellent job of cleaning carpet, they do so at a much higher operational cost than direct air uprights: higher electric power consumption, and seals which needs to be replaced eventually,not to mention additional filters. Canister machines need new hoses periodically. The internal wear and accicental damage cause a restriction of airflow. No matter how good the power nozzle may be, it cannot match the open fan upright's ability to pick the carpet up and hold it on a cushion of air. The open fan upright can always be restored to 100% of it's original cleaning power by installing a new belt,bag and brush, and perhaps a new fan and carbon brushes, easily. quickly,and inexpensively. The open fan upright lacks the cachet of newer design, and on-board tools,but it cannot be trumped for economically deep cleanining carpet over the long haul.
The Kirby offers a simple conversion to a canister unit, and I have yet to discover a better wand/brush arrngement for wall/ceiling dusting than Kirby's. Heavy? Not to push. To pick up? No more than a Hoover Power Drive. With a good direct air upright, a simple canister, like a Eureka Mightey Mite, will provide ample tool cleaning functions.
Miele are wonderful vacuums, as are many others, but they do have inherently higher operation/maintenaance costs. If higher suction is used to replace high airflow and positive agitation of the rug, conducting dirt through 10-12 feet of hose/wands it costs more that using a simple, old fashioned open fan upright. Filtration is another point altogether, and changes the discussion entirely.
Well it may be cheaper to maintain a traditional dirty fan system vacuum in the U.S but not so in the U.K
Infact getting parts for several Hoover line ups are getting increasingly difficult. Carbon brushes also exist for many clean air systems including the SEBO X models but Hoover UK charge an astronomical amount of money for the outer replacement dust bag for the Junior/Senior/Convertible series.
Of the dirty fan system designed vacuums I've used Trebor, they clog far more quickly than clean air and the cost of a new belt, bag and brush can easily be aligned with the more modern vacuum design.
I've never used a Kirby other than for floor cleaning and the whole escapade of change over didn't impress me much with its heavier design. I guess in this respect this is why I prefer the modern design of the SEBO X / Windsor Sensor. Also the SEBO doesn't need much maintenance other than new filters and bags. Sometimes it just needs it brush roller checked like other uprights when hairs or threads wrap around the roller. Infact, my first model that lasted 13 to 15 years only ever needed one replacement toothed drive belt (the original broke under pressure and due to my own fault!) before it was sold on.
This message was modified Dec 17, 2010 by vacmanuk
