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Frequently
Asked Central Vacuum Questions
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 What is the difference between air driven
and electric central vacuum carpet nozzles?
Air driven carper nozzles, also referred to as "Turbo" or
"Turbine" nozzles run solely on the suction of your central
vacuum. Being that this type of nozzle does not have a motor to
continuously drive it, it is not as strong as an electric carpet
nozzle and should only be used on bare floors or low pile
carpeting and area rugs. An electric nozzle has an electric
motor which constantly drives the belt and brush roller for a
much deeper clean. Electric carpet nozzles should be used on
medium to high pile carpeting or when pet hair is a concern.
Do I have to buy attachments that are the same brand as my
central vacuum unit?
Absolutely not! One common misconception is that the attachment
kit you buy needs to be from the same company as your vacuum
unit, this is simply not true. Almost all central vacuum
manufacturers do not manufacture their own Attachment Sets or
accessories because they rely on suppliers in the industry whose
specialty it is to study and develop better quality cleaning
tools. Just like General Motors and Ford do not manufacture
tires, they too rely on the technology available from the tire
companies and focus instead on the engineering automobiles, not
tires. The most important factor for your attachment kit, vacuum
hose etc. is the type of wall inlet you have installed. |
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What does "Limited Lifetime" warranty really mean?
A "Limited Lifetime" warranty means that parts of the vacuum are
warranted for a lifetime, and other parts are not. The most
common meaning defines the canister or casing has having a
lifetime warranty while the motor carries a 3-10 year warranty. |
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Do all central vacuums have to be vented outside?
No, however we would recommended it if possible. When using a
cyclonic style central vacuum you MUST vent to the outside,
other filtrations are optional. If asthma and/or allergies are a
concern you should definitely vent your unit to the outside to
guarantee no harmful air returns to the living area. If you
cannot vent to the outside, or simply wish not to, we highly
recommend using an exhaust filter. |
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What is the difference between Pigtail and Direct Connect?
A "Direct Connect" set up means that your wall inlet is
wired with BOTH low voltage wire and 110v electric. A Direct
Connect hose will have two small prongs what will plug into the
inlet to pull electricity when vacuuming. A "Pigtail" set up is
when the hose has a 6 - 8 foot electrical "Pigtail" cord on the
end that plugs into a near by electrical outlet. The 110v
electric pulled from a Direct Connect or Pigtail hose is used to
operate electric carpet nozzles. |
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What is the best way to measure the suction power of a
central vacuum?
The best way to measure the suction power of a central vacuum is
by "Airwatts". Airwatts is the bottom line power, taking into
account your piping, fittings and hoses. Although other forms of
measurement like "CFM" or "Waterlift" are a factor and have some
importance, Airwatts is the truest measurement of power.
"Air-watts" is the only
recognized effective testing method that measures the actual
cleaning power of a vacuum as set forth by the American Society
of Testing and Materials. ASTM International is one of the
largest voluntary standards development organizations in the
world-a trusted source for technical standards for materials,
products, systems, and services. Known for their high technical
quality and market relevancy, ASTM International standards have
an important role in the information infrastructure that guides
design, manufacturing and trade in the global economy. |
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How do I know if a central vacuum is quiet?
When shopping for a central vacuum, one key factor in deciding
may be the vacuums quietness. Quietness is measured in decibels.
The lower the decibels the quieter the machine. Mufflers also
help quiet a machine by up to 6 decibels. |
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Can a central vacuum only be installed in a newly constructed
home?
Absolutely not. A central vacuum can be install in any new
construction and almost all existing homes. This is another
common misconception. Not only can they be installed in almost
any home, but the installation is easy and affordable. |
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