How to Install a Central Vacuum System

14Comments

On the other hand just buy 3 vacuums one for each floor, that would do it too! And for the stairs, buy a longer hose for the accessories.

Jos34

Dec 10, at 1:45am

14Comments

Why didn't you vent that beam to the exterior? One of the big benefits of a central vac is the ability to get that dirty exhaust air out of the house. The Beam filter does not capture everything.
Other then that ---- (and the valves being mounted upside down). Good work.

Motorboater

Dec 10, at 12:21am

14Comments

I fail to understand why the installer did not glue the 90° ell at each "outlet" (actually this would be an "inlet") onto the vertical pipe before mounting the ell & cover plate. This is not a smart idea if you don't want dirt & lint build-up within the walls.

Mr. Ed.

Dec 8, at 10:38am

14Comments

I installed one myself in an old 2-story house with basement about 15yrs ago. It was similar to Rons' with the low voltage switching and with the outlets next to 110v for power rug beater accessory. It was easy enough to put together once I figured out how to run the tubing. I could have exhausted it outdoors but chose not to at the time ( I have since sold the house). Pros: no lugging a vac around up and down stairs, low noise (except in the basement), and great suction. Cons: Initial expense, long hose and accessories require storage space, not real convenient for quick vacuum chores, noisy without a muffler, easy enough to empty but kinda messy. Since my unit used a washable filter it was somewhat inconvenient so I purchased an extra so I always had a clean one ready to go. I would do it again though.

deckm00

Dec 2, at 11:16pm

14Comments

When locating the inlets for the vacuum, I like to install them at the same level as a light switch. Our population is aging and the less bending and stooping, the better for most users. Also, you can get systems that include the 120 volt power outlet with the vacuum inlet. If you can run pipe to a location, you can run electrical wire with it. Other commenters have pointed out omissions and options that would make this video more complete. I have found that you can never include it all, so viewers need to do some research and have innovation skills for unique situations.

Craig "Mr. Fixit"

Dec 2, at 7:23pm

14Comments

I've installed a central house vacuum system in my shop complete with a 25' powerhead hose. It is so much quieter than a dust collection system!

Harper32

Dec 2, at 10:44am

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Very well done video. We have to assume that there was PVC glue at each fitting to avoid leakage. I installed two units - one in my first home and in my new home in 1985. I installed HP Vacuflo in both. They do not need filters - due to the cyclone action of the air inside the unit. No filters - no plugging up. The muffler vents outside. My hose is 30 feet long and I have 2 connections upstairs and two in the cellar - in my split entry 28 X 48 house. I have the air-powered rug cleaner and do not need any electric outlets at all near the connections. I have removed all the rugs since we built and do not use the air-powered unti - but it does work very well. I have no complaints what-so-ever. It has a very powerful motor. Suction stays the same year-after-year. We live in a rural area (all of Aroostook County, Maine is rural ), so the outside vent is ideal for us. Maybe in Ct or other built up cities would have a problem with that (neighbors close by).
Central vac is the only way to go. I had a freind that installed a unit that had a filter bag and his sucking was NOT there. It also was not cyclonic action - and it was very cheap in cost. You get what you pay for !
Thank you Ron for these very good tips you keep showing. You show us up a lot - you know.

Manzer Belanger

Dec 2, at 8:15am

14Comments

For a Dr. - Dr. Jim is quite smart about this stuff. Hope his brain surgery is equally well under control.

Dr Jim in North Hollywood,CA

Dec 2, at 4:22am

14Comments

The routing of the piping was pretty well explained but when the pipe was fed down thru the top-plate to a wall cut-out below,
there was no explanation how this connection was glued together. This is a major flaw in the explanation as to how the system is installed. Ron - You know better than this. Usually, you are RIGHT-ON.

Dr Jim in North Hollywood,CA

Dec 2, at 4:17am

14Comments

I haven't lived in a home with more then the first floor & basement in more then 20 years. I will keep this in mind if I ever get a house like this.

Ernie White

Dec 2, at 2:51am

14Comments

How long is that hose if there are only one or two outlets on each floor? Seems like it would have to be so long it would be cumbersome, You can get a good vacuum for under $200. How does that compare to the cost of a central vac system?

papa11

Dec 2, at 2:01am

14Comments

All the positives connect to one lead, and all the negatives connect to another lead. There is a contact at the end of each outlet that lets the vacuuming bits control the on/off state by simply connecting the two wires to make a complete circuit. The swtich tha does this is likely on the vacuume attachment itself, or it could be done automatically on inserting the hose. Since each set of wires can create a complete circuit, every outlet can potentially turn on the vacume.

Nicholas Perry

Nov 20, at 6:05am

14Comments

I did not see how the wires conect together to central unit, for example the wires comming from 3 different levels of the house will join up by central vacume unit but there is 12 different wires from three lines, four wires each line how do you decide which four to conect to central vacume system.

Bill

Jan 8, at 8:07pm

14Comments

We would like to install central vacuum system. Mr. ron please help us

Dede Freedman

Sep 23, at 6:33pm

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