Homework: Central vacuum systems

1. Easy to install

The biggest misconception about central vacuum systems is that they can be installed only when building a new home. It's absolutely easier to install one when the walls are wide open, but a talented installer can put one in an existing home with relative ease.

2. Narrow hoses

Such systems usually require outlets on the walls that look something like electrical outlets. These have a door that flips open and the end of the central vac hose plugs into the hole. Small metal contacts inside the outlet cause the remote motor in the vacuum to immediately turn on. The pipe in the walls is 2 inches in diameter. The inner diameter of the flexible hose that you use to clean with is about 1 1 / 4 inches. This is by design so that it's virtually impossible for the hidden pipe in the walls to become clogged. If an object can pass through the flexible hose in your hands, then it can also make it through the walls to the actual vacuum canister.

3. Lots of outlets

There are any number of mistakes you can make when installing a central vac system. One is putting in too few outlets. You have to account for furniture being in your way, so the length of the flexible hose doesn't always reach as far as you might think. You'll never regret having too many outlets. The parts needed to do this are pretty inexpensive.

4. Out of the way

You can really make a mistake where you locate the canister. Most systems have the motor and the canister as one unit. The motor can be pretty loud, so it is recommended that it be put in your garage. The added benefit to this is that when you empty the canister or replace the bag, dust is kept out of your home.

5. Let air exit

Some installers will take a shortcut and not run the exhaust pipe outdoors. Don't let this happen. You want the air to exit the house in case it has very fine dust particles in it. Always follow the instructions of the manufacturer. If they say to exhaust the machine outdoors, do it.

6. A clean car

If you put your canister and motor in your garage, be sure there is a vacuum outlet on the machine. If there isn't, then put in a regular vacuum outlet in a wall in the garage. It's handy to be able to use the central vac to clean a car.

7. Fresh air intake

Perhaps the most common mistake installers make is failing to include a fresh-air intake. A central vacuum consumes a vast amount of air when it's turned on. If you have a very tight house, the operation of a central vacuum could cause backdrafting of combustion gases into your home, which could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. It can also make a house smell like smoke if you have wood-burning fireplaces.

8. Gluing the pipes

Installing the piping for a central vac in an average-sized new house usually takes only part of a day. The pipe glues together with regular PVC cement. You can cut the thin piping with a hacksaw, making sure you remove any burrs from the cut ends. Burrs can grab onto hair and lead to a clog years from now.

9. Low-voltage wire

You have to also run low-voltage wire from the outlets back to the motor. This is very easy to do. Just use electrician's tape to adhere this small wire to the side of the plastic vacuum piping.

10. Check canister

Be sure you check your canister frequently to ensure that it's not full. As the canister or bag fills, suction will drop. Use common sense: Avoid picking up large items with your central vac. Use a broom instead.