If you’ve ever lugged a cumbersome vacuum cleaner up and down stairs, you’ve probably wished there was an easier way to clean your floors. Vacuuming can become a tiresome chore if you have a multi-level home, or if you share your house with children or pets. Installing a central vacuum system makes keeping your home pristine a breeze and, best of all, you’ll never have to carry a vacuum cleaner again!
What is a Central Vacuum System?
A central vacuum system uses outlets in your home to connect ducts to a pressurized suction system. When you need to vacuum, connect a lightweight cleaning attachment and hose to the outlet, and you’ll instantly have suctioning power. Debris will go through the ducts of the central vacuum and be deposited in a central disposal location.
Planning a Central Vacuum System
Learning about the different options of inlets, hoses, and power units is beneficial prior to installation.
● Standard valve inlets have two pins that connect low-voltage wires to the unit. The wires signal the system to start when a hose is inserted. A pigtail configuration is needed to connect an electric hose to a 110 volt electrical outlet, since these inlets are only 24 volts.
● Super valve inlets were made for direct connect hoses, which don’t require a pigtail configuration, since these inlets feature both 110 volt electric and 24 volt low voltage wiring. The Supervalve has a built in romex box which is installed at the rough in on the piping.
● There are many types of power units:
○ Cyclonic units don’t need filters or bags. Instead, particles smaller than dirt are vented outdoors.
○ Filtered units filter out dirt when the vacuum is activated.
○ Bagged units simply have a bag in the dirt canister for easy disposal.
What is the Difference Between Deluxe and Standard Accessories?
When installing a central vacuum system, selecting the correct accessories for the job may seem intimidating. This is especially true when it comes to picking the ideal attachment. You want to ensure not only that you buy one meant specifically for your system but also that the attachment you do purchase is compatible with the flooring of your home. Below we have outlined the differences between deluxe and standard attachments so that you can determine which better fits your needs.
Standard Attachment Accessories. These accessories include the dusting brush, the floor brush, and crevice tool. You simply attach this accessory to the lightweight hose, and it will leave your floor spotless. Note that standard attachments are best suited for non-carpeted floors (i.e., tile, hardwood floor, etc.). Area rugs fare well with standard attachments as well.
Deluxe Attachment Accessories. Deluxe or electric accessories will suit you better if your home is carpeted. These accessories include such tools as the deep cleaning power brush, crevice tool, and upholstery tool. Installation Process
There are two key things to remember when beginning the installation process, or the “rough-in.” First, ensure that inlets are in convenient locations. Then, the tubes should be as straight as possible to the power unit, which should be kept in a dry, remote area, like a utility room.
To install the inlet, cut a hole in the drywall the size of the mounting plate, and screw in the inlet valve. Then, apply glue to a length of tubing, insert it through the mounting plate, and connect it to the trunk line, or the central duct. Pre-cut the tubes and work quickly so the cement won’t dry out.
Once your unit is installed, you can find different attachments for your hose at eVacuumStore. Standard attachments are best for hardwood or tile floors, while electric tools, such as the deep cleaning brush, are great for carpeted areas.
We service all the towns in the Boston Metro Area including: Braintree, Milton, Canton, Duxbury, Westwood, Walpole, Norwood, Needham, Waltham, Weymouth, Quincy, Somerville, Medford, Watertown, Newton, Cambridge and many more.
How Much Is Central Vacuum Installation?
Central vacuum installation is typically $200 per inlet installed for new construction. This will include the labor and materials and each inlet covers about 700 square feet. Mounting the unit, adding a vacpan, and venting the exhaust are additional charges. Home rehabs, custom homes, commercial projects and brownstones will typically incur a higher cost so please feel free to ask us for a free quote.
