I’m planning on putting in a central vac system soon (DW has allergies). I will have our upstairs apt of 1500SF and 2 downstairs apartments of 600 SF each on the same system with the central vac in a mechanical room. I’m looking for recommendations and “watch outs” for the different makes and installation. I want to keep it simple and therefore the upstairs will have in the floor inlets, downstairs in wall. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Fine Homebuilding is excited to be the official media partner of the 2024 Building Science Symposium series! This event offers builders, tradesmen, architects, designers and suppliers to discuss topics ranging…
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
I don't have heaps of advice but a few things come to mind:
- Nutone hoses and components are notoriously cheap.
- We bought a second-hand Cyclo Vac power unit that has been great. Installation is very easy for anyone with basic mechanical/electrical skills. There are plenty of used units around and they all seem to use Amatek/Lamb motor/fan units. Rebuilding is suprisingly simple should you ever need to.
- Your description indicates you can probably get away with a mid-sized model. No need to spend $1500 on a monster unit.
- Consider outside venting, although I find that our unit doesn't require it, no smell, no dust.
- Think about how you are going to handle a power head, if you intend to use one. The more expensive inlets can provide AC power to the electric hose as you plug the hose in, but this requires wiring to be brought to the inlet. Another less expensive solution is to put the inlet within a foot or two of a receptacle. A short pigtail cord on the hose plugs into the receptacle thereby powering the electric hose.
Good luck with the project!
Scott.
Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”
I hve the Nutone, I also have a siberian husky-wolf mix. I have the biggest unit they sell to deal with the hair.They are quiet at the use area and unbelievably noisy at the vac itself. The 30 foot hose is the normal, the sock that covers the hose is a big joke. It will crawl up the hose and never return to the end. It also is a magnet to dirt, I could see some not liking to pull a dirty hose/hose sock off the hook to use. The hose and carpet sweeper setup is around 350.00 It si great for cleaning a car and the house. I have the foot control at the kitchen and really like having a central vac.
I've had the Nutone for 5 years and would buy again. No complaints. I also grew up with a Nutone and mom still has the same one from '77.
John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.