Investing in a central vacuum system is a big deal. While the price point is great, you can’t ignore the fact that you’ll be installing a state-of-the-art vacuum system into your house. It’s important to put some thought into the process and customize the system so it’s specifically tailored to your household.
We take our customer service seriously. That’s why we love it when customers ask us questions. We thought we’d answer some of the most common questions we receive from customers and encourage you to ask more; we’re always willing to talk vacuums!
Where should I install all inlets?
The typical inlet hose is 25 feet in length. With that in mind, we suggest you take a length of rope or a tape rule set to 25 feet and position it at the preferred location of a room’s wall inlet. From there, ensure that you can hit every nook and cranny using your 25-foot measurement.
What size power unit do I need?
There is a rule of thumb for your power unit based on the square footage of your home. However, we’d rather measure your home ourselves and find the right power unit using those measurements than try and guess.
Can a central vacuum system be ductless?
We can help you determine whether or not you need to vent your unit outside. However, we suggest that all units vent outside to exhaust microscopic particulate. Although, there are cases where venting is not possible. We can help you determine if you are an exception. The indoor air quality of your home will be vastly improved if you vent your system outside.
Do I need a dedicated electrical circuit to install a central vacuum system?
Yes, a central vacuum system needs a dedicated electrical circuit. It can be either 15 or 20 amps; we’ll help you make that determination.
What are air watts?
You might see that many systems are labeled by their air wattage. Air wattage is a calculation of airflow and water lift, as calculated using this formula: P = 1/8.5 x F x S
F is airflow, S is water lift. To put it in layman’s terms, the higher the air wattage of a system, the better it will perform. Think of it as a global power score that you can compare among units.
What are the most important considerations to make when designing a system?
We always tell customers to be mindful of two things: the number of inlets they install and the vertical positioning of their power unit.
The fewer inlets you install, the more efficient your system will be, as the suction has fewer branches to travel. It’s best to be strategic about inlet placement, ensuring you have 100% coverage but as few inlets as possible.
With that said, positioning your power unit as low as possible reduces the suction power needed among those inlets.
We hope we’ve answered some of your questions. Reach out to us today to discuss our central vacuum systems and to ask us any other questions you might have.