If there was one thing people would like their vacuum to be it would be "quiet." Please.
But then for years and years, people just assumed they weren't supposed to be. Even central vacuum systems were noisy at times.That's no longer the case. The newest central vacuum systems are quiet as a whisper.
"What would happen is that when the garage door was open and the owner was vacuuming, the whole neighborhood could hear," says Rico Dubach, owner of Swiss Boy Sew and Vac in Bountiful.
"The new systems, called `Serenity' units, are designed with baffles and mufflers and are made to be quiet. They're so quiet you can be sitting right next to the power unit while you're talking on the phone and be able to hear perfectly well."
The newer, quieter units have been on the market for about six months. Swiss Boy will have several new models on display in the Deseret News show.
Another new feature is called the "Sensor." It notifies the user as to whether or not the vacuum is picking up dirt.
When the vacuum is picking up dirt a red light comes on. But when the vacuum is not picking up dirt a green light comes on.
"This is most beneficial in high-traffic areas. A lot of times you can't tell if there's dirt or sand in the carpet, so you make a couple of passes and go on. If you know the vacuum is picking up dirt then you can make a few more passes and be able to get more of the dirt up. It allows the user to get more of the hidden dirt that causes a lot of the damage," says Dubach.
The sensor feature comes with new central vacuum systems, but it can also be purchased separately and added to existing systems.
Central vacuum systems are continuing to grow in popularity. These days they're becoming as common as central air and intercom systems.
The best time to think about a vacuum system is during the early planning stages of new-home building. The time to have a central vacuum system installed is sometime after the electric and before the insulation and drywalling.
Dubach points that that while the new-home market is slowing, sales of central vacuum system are not: "It keeps growing because of the wide range of advantages it offers."
Installation is not particularly difficult. It's similar to an outdoor sprinkling system; the pipes go together in much the same way. One big difference is the turns or elbows. Instead of being sharp 90-degree bends, they're more gentle to better accommodate dirt and debris moving through them.
In the average home, there can be anywhere from four to six outlets.
The outlet is nothing more than a hole in a plate that resembles a light-switch plate. The hose plugs in, and with most of today's systems, the handle and brush are plugged into an electrical outlet.
The power unit is placed in an inconspicuous place in the home, usually in the basement or garage. It is here where the dust and the dirt goes out of the room and in many cases out of the home.
It's not held in a bag, where it can escape back into the room.
Dubach admits that tops on the list of inquiring customers is the removal of dust and dirt. This is especially so with people who suffer from allergies.
Dubach points out that new studies show dust mites and particles of dirt in the air can aggravate allergies and illness.
"In fact, in Europe the government is offering a tax break to those who put in a central vacuum system. They've found people are healthier when dust and dirt are taken right out of the home rather than some of it being left behind and then blown around by a portable vacuum," he says.
He also points out that the level of cleaning has improved with the electric powerheads. The new units can clean as well as portable vacuums. The new hoses are also much lighter and softer, so they won't cause damage to walls and furniture.
Another is that the power-heads are much lighter. Without the heavy motor, there's not as much weight to push around.
This is especially important for owners of large homes with lots of carpet, for older people responsible for their own cleaning, or for people with back problems.
The built-in units offer a number of other advantages, like cleaning up around the home. The fact that the power source is in the garage means the owner has a "car wash" vacuum close at hand for cleaning cars, boats, RVs, campers and trucks.
"There are those, too, who don't think much about vacuuming ceramic tile or hardwood floors. But truth is, the central vacuum works much better. You can turn off the brush on the power-head and simply suck up the dust. You pull it out of the cracks and ridges and take it out of the home. If you sweep, you simply put some of the dust and dirt back into the air," he points out.
Built-ins typically carry the best warranty, also. Most portable units have a one-year warranty, while there are some built-in vacuum units that have a lifetime warranty on the power unit and long guarantees on the hoses and power nozzles.
A number of buyers have installed their own systems, but Dubach points out that there are expert installers available to put in a complete built-in unit at a very low cost.
Also, built-ins have 50 percent more suction at the end of the hose as compared to portable units. There tends to be less maintenance, too, with a central system.
There are no belts to snap or fans to break when rocks or coins are sucked up. Cost is another positive feature.
"The built-in system is an investment. People will spend $300 to $900 for a portable unit, and in a few years it will be worth almost nothing. The average central vacuum system costs between $800 and $900, installed. What we've found is that in five to 10 years, the central system will increase the value of the home by from $1,000 to $1,500. You don't lose anything on a central vacuum system," he adds.
A couple of the misconceptions people have about central vac systems are:
- They are expensive. Actually, in-home systems have come down in cost in recent years.
- They aren't powerful enough to do a good job. If the system is properly installed and cared for, power shouldn't be a problem.
If the system isn't working well, then it can be traced to three things: one, the power unit was too small in the first place; two, the system was not installed correctly; or three, the vacuum has a filter system and the owner is not maintaining it properly.
If the right system is installed correctly, then power should never be a problem. That's why it's important for buyers to work with someone with a good reputation and with a company that has been in the business for a long time.
A system should be designed to fit the home, which is why there are a number of different models available.
One common warning to those in the market is that when they go looking for a system they make sure it's an established company and that parts are readily available.
A number of companies have come and gone over the years. There are some people today who are unable to get parts for their system because the manufacturer is no longer in business.