Are Central Vacuums Effective Against Pests?

Posted on April 13, 2012 by

With renewed bed bug scares sweeping the nation many a concerned landlord and housewife alike has wondered if their vacuum cleaner is an effective defense against pests such as bedbugs, fleas, and ticks, and whether or not a central vacuum is as up to the task as a ground or push vacuum.

Thankfully experiments conducted   by Ohio State University researchers on the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)—the most common type of flea plaguing companion animals, such as dogs and cats, and humans, and comparable in size and durability to the bed bugs now infesting New York apartments and Ohio hotels—determined that regular vacuuming is indeed effective at killing fleas in all stages of life.

Fleas and their relatives have multiple life stages, not all of which are equally vacuum-able. While adults are the pests that we all know and hate, sucking blood and laying eggs on hosts, it is the eggs which roll off continually onto the floor, furniture, pet bedding, travel clothes, and more. After a handful of larval stages the pests spin a cocoon and emerge within a week or two.

This creates a multi-week cascade of new bugs appearing to bother and harass animals and residents alike. Yet according to the OSU study, partially funded by the Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. and detailed in a recent issue of the journal Entomologica Experimentalis et Applicata, the finely layered spinning brushes on ground vacuums and central vacuum power heads are more than up to the challenge of scooping every life cycle from even deep carpet while the suction performed admirably for sucking them away. Interestingly though, even if the insects were able to escape suction into the device the physical damage from the high winds and brushes was enough to kill over 95% of even the thick walled pupa, piercing the walls and drying them out before they could reach adult hood.

This means that a power head is vital for central vacuums to effectively resist the pests. But, provided that attachment is present, central vacuums do tend to be more effective due to greater levels of suction as well as ease of use contributing to more throughout vacuuming patterns.

You can find more information about systems on:
https://www.centralvacuumdirect.com/

Thanks for reading and happy cleaning!

- Central Vacuum Direct Tech Support

Posted in central vacuum systems | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Piping Options for Central Vacuums (Flexible Hose, Plumbing Pipe)

Posted on April 11, 2012 by

Flexible Hose: Flexible Hose was the result of an attempt to standardize the industry in the 1960s, however the cons of the piping soon doomed the attempt, though industry workers still run across examples of the piping in homes from that period. The piping employs a 2” (50mm) flexible hose in lieu of fittings or elbows in the system, but is not used as the main tubing for a home. While the flexible hose is still sometimes used near the first few feet of VacPan outlets, and it does allow for easy, accurate installations, the hose tends to add a tremendous amount of unnecessary friction to the system. Air bounces each time it hits one of the ridges on the pipe (ridges intended to give it more flexibility for tight turns) and these same ridges also greatly increase the risk for clogs and blockages, especially in curves and tight bents. It is also tough to find and difficult to cut to shape. In general this piping is not recommended except as a last ditch option for certain tough installation points.

Plumbing Pipe: Standard plumbing pipe is pvc piping used in home construction to move waste or clean water through the home to faucets and outlets. The pipe is readily available in 10 or 20 foot sections around the world and is easily cut using standard equipment. The thick walls and wide inner dimension (greater than 2” (50 mm)) also provide durability.

However, as this tubing is intended to carry water the internal surface is not optimized for use with central vacuums. It is generally assumed that any clogs in this tubing will be pushed through by water, so rough points where clogs may begin to form are not as evenly corrected during the manufacturing process. Also rough points and ledges are often created during the cutting process or at joints. This has triggered many vacuum manufacturers to offer transition piping to clean up joints smoothly with less chance of clogging. No known USA manufacturers of central vacuums recommend this pipe for central vacuum applications, however it can be used for do it yourselfers in a pinch if you take precautions.

You can shop for all your built-in vac needs at: www.centralvacuumdirect.com

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

How to Find Best Central Vacuum Available

Posted on April 10, 2012 by

With so many different brands on the market today, it can be tough to try and decipher what the best central vacuum brand is. A lot of manufacturers have come and gone leaving the homeowner in the dust as to whether their machine is going to be covered under warranty or if parts are even available anymore. What confuses customers even more is the fact that a few manufacturers make a lot of the different brands available too. A lot of large companies with brand recognition will subcontract a central vacuum manufacturer to produce a power unit and then put their name on it. A prime example of this is with the honeywell line of whole house vacuums. These units are actually manufactured by electrolux, then branded with the honeywell name.

When you’re trying to make the decision about which central vac is going to be best for your home you should consider three different things:

1)      You should know where the unit is mad. This will keep you in the clear of sub-par manufacturing and help you choose the correct central vac. A quality central vacuum is either going to be manufactured in the United States or Canada. Canada has the largest market for central vacs and are held in very high prestige for their whole house vacuum products.

2) Try to find out what type of motor is providing the suction for your central vacuum system. There are a wide range of different styles and designs of electric motors that provide the vacuum for your system. These motors are all rated different grades and specifications. Typically you will find that smaller motors with a shorter lifespan will still provide a decent amount of airwatts, but will lack the longevity and overall durability of larger motors.

Through this image you can honestly see the different motors systems and what’s installed in most central vac’s. You’ll find that a lot of central vacuums that are low im price but high in “airwatts” will have the cheaper flow-thru motor systems. These are the same exact motors that are installed in various portable machines so it almost negates the reason most people purchase whole house vacuum systems in the first place.

3) A third thing you should be concerned with is the type of guarantee that’s backing your product. The standard warranty for whole house vacuums can range anywhere from 7-10 years. With cheaper models you will find that this is cut down anywhere from 2-5 years. When you really find a good product you will see its warranty range into double digits (anywhere from 15-20 years). Central vacuums that have this 15-20 year motor warranty include the Canavac units. They are the only ones to currently use the high grade 8.4’’ Tangential bypass motors

If you find a power unit that is made in the United States or Canada, has a good warranty and a large motor capable of lasting a long time then there is no doubt you’ll be happy with what you recieve!

Thanks for reading and happy cleaning!

Central Vacuum Direct Tech Support
CentralVacuumDirect.com
1-855-649-7996

Posted in central vacuum systems | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How To Make Central Vac Comparisons

Posted on April 9, 2012 by

Installing a major appliance into your house calls for long sessions on the computer reading reviews, both by professionals and customers. If you are looking for comparisons of Central Vacuums in order to determine which manufacturer and model will be best suited to your home, finding reviews will be a little more difficult because this kind of appliance is still making its way into many houses and is comparatively unknown, despite central vacuum hosing being standard construction in all Canadian homes.

The trick to overcoming this lack of useful information for comparison involves speaking with companies or sellers (like our trained staff of representatives at central vacuum direct) directly and asking whatever questions you feel might be important. This may range from information requests on the vacuum motor suitable for your size home, the cost of the installation, or do it yourself advice. Some general literature is easily found online that will highlight essential measurements of system power, like the wattage of the central power unit and the overall suction power of the appliance, as well as storage space for dust waste and the ease of installation. This information and starting points may help shape the questions you will be asking providers.

Floor plans are also a big consideration that can be overlooked in the shopping process. We tend to assume that one centralized system fits all, but in actuality each home is entirely unique in what will be necessary for a successful installation. Large homes may need an oversized motor, or possibly a two motor system depending on the situation. Smaller houses may need unique piping or power hookups. The reason square feet play such a large role in choosing a system is because each power unit is geared towards differently sized floor plans. Single level ranch homes, for example, will not call for nearly as much power as a multi level mansion that will have dozens more rooms and inlets than the ranch house. If you are not sure what the square footage of your house is, you will need to assess that before shopping for systems otherwise your representative may not be able to help you to make the best purchasing decision.

Thanks for reading and happy cleaning!

Central Vacuum Direct Tech Support

Posted in central vacuum systems | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Piping Options For Central Vacuum Systems

Posted on April 6, 2012 by

You’ve read how central vacuums have been clinically proven to provide one of the greatest health benefits for allergy and asthma sufferers, and how the installation of a central vacuum in a home can add a major boost to the property value. You’ve also read up on the ease of use that comes from a central vacuum, the power, and the convenience. But what about installation? After all, with a portable vacuum all you have to do is lug it into a closet and it is ‘installed.’ Central vacuums are slightly more involved—though it works to your advantage.

There are essentially three major options for pipe choices for installing a central vacuum. These are: Plumbing Pipe (such as schedule 40 PVC) and Vacuum Tubing designed specifically for central vacuums.  Each choice is unique and has both advantages and disadvantages which a pro central vacuum installation crew should be well familiar with, but do-it-yourselfers may need to check.

Vacuum Tubing: Vacuum tubing pipe is made specifically to suit central vacuum installations and manufacturers of vacuum tubing are bound to adhere to strict guidelines established by the American Standard of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Ruling F2158. Vacuum tubing pipe has a very specific wall thickness and rigidity in order to provide maximum airflow through the entire system with fewer clogs and less wear and tear. The pipe manages this by almost exactly matching and fitting to the diameter of hub fittings, allowing no ledges or points for clogs to become lodged in the system.

Vacuum tubing was specifically designed to be a standard for the industry and a common means for pipe manufacturers, central vacuum manufacturers, installers, and consumers across the industry. As a result current Uniform Building Code across most of the United States recognizes this piping and requires its use.

However, because vacuum tubing is meant for such a specific use it is hard to find at plumbing supply outlets or hardware depots. Obtaining it can become a significant cost for do it yourself installers who may want to turn to one of the following options.

You can find all the vacuum tubing and supplies at www.centralvacuumdirect.com!

Thanks for reading and happy cleaning!

Central Vacuum Direct Support Team

Posted in central vacuum systems | Tagged , | Leave a comment

What is your vacuum doing lately?

Posted on April 5, 2012 by

We can talk about all the things that central vacuums do well, but what about the things that normal vacuums utterly fail to do? Portable vacuums, push vacuums, self-contained vacuums are all limited by their size. No matter how well engineered, a portable vacuum needs to fit into a plastic casing that is a few feet tall and light enough to haul up and down stairs (in theory…). This means that normal vacuum cleaners must be made of pieces as lightweight as possible, and therefore less durable. It also means that the parts of the vacuum such as the motor, filter, and canister assemblies need to be much smaller than they could be if the system was stationary and spread out. Thus the amount of power is lower, the filtering system is less efficient, and the system needs to be emptied more often. And then you have the in convenience of moving the heavy system around. It is more than hard work; a large push vacuum is hard to get into corners and tight spaces and can actually scrape up and damage furniture, tables, chairs, and more.

Central vacuums do not scrape up tables, chairs, or furniture, because you don’t move the actual vacuum around. All you deal with is a lightweight nozzle and hose assembly that you can even use to vacuum walls, ceiling, and other overlooked surfaces like couch cushions. Also because the central vacuum is spread out over your entire home the system can afford to go with an oversized motor that will deliver more suction—and  because  the motor is off-site it will do so quietly. Most central vacuums can be used while talking on the telephone or watching TV (which makes the chore go by much faster).

You also need to factor in the benefit that comes from the external vent installed along with central vacuum systems. This vent completely expels particles from your house. Portable vacuums must filter air and push it back into the home—central vacuums get it out of your home entirely with a port on the outside of your home.

You can find all of your built-in vac needs at: http://www.centralvacuumdirect.com

Thanks for reading and happy cleaning!

Posted in central vacuum systems | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Places and Types Of Homes That Could Benefit From A Central Vacuum Installation

Posted on April 4, 2012 by

Central vacuums are well known for their ease of use, their power, their convenience, and their healthfulness for homes. But most people really only associate built-in vacs with big mansions and luxury homes. Yet there are so many other locations where a central vacuum installation would make life and cleaning much easier. For instance…

Hunting cabins. More people than you might expect have a little hidden woodsy cabin for hunting, hiking, or simply enjoying the outdoors. These cabins tend to have power, but are still isolated and only one room big. Now what do these cabins tend to create? Dirt, mud, mess. Whether from hiking through mud, getting caught in the rain, or from young children playing n the dirt. Normal vacuum cleaners may clog when facing the sheer amount of mud and dirt that can be created.

Beach homes and villas. Whether you are a private citizen with a little cabin on a Lake Michigan dune, or out there in California, or you are a major developer throwing up villas down south in fairer climates, central vacuum systems are an investment that can do more than simply add to the property value (though they will do that as well). Normal vacuum cleaners in these spots may be stolen because of isolation, or may break often due to the huge amount of sand that is tracked inside during normal vacations. Central vacuums, due to larger filters and motors, are up to this challenge and can go long periods without replacement and without maintenance.

Workshops. While many workshops have a trusty shop vac installed to deal with messes, shavings, and spills on the ground, they still run into trouble when it comes time to empty the vacuum cleaner or time to store it out of the way (as a normal shop vac is incredibly bulky and hard to move). Why not build your home’s vacuum system out to include this area from the beginning so that you don’t need to worry about pulling a bulky floor unit around your equipment?

Shop for all your central vacuum equipment online at: http://www.centralvacuumdirect.com

Thanks for reading and happy cleaning!

- The Central Vac Guys

Posted in central vacuum systems | Tagged , , | Leave a comment