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Old 05-19-2007, 07:20 PM
 
Location: Wake Forest - New Light
1,263 posts, read 4,931,448 times
Reputation: 1001

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Does anyone have a central vacuum system in their home? I am interested in learning about the pro's of having this system. I know one pro will be not lugging a vacuum up and down stairs...I saw a few exhibits at the home show back in April....peeked my interest.

Can anyone share their experience installing a system in an existing home? What does it involve? I was thinking about this during the building process, unfortunately Centex Homes does not allow outside contractors to do anything to the home while they are building, so even if I wanted to at the time of framing, I would not have been able to install one.

I invested in a canister vacuum a little over a year ago, with a powerhead and attachments, etc...that will do fine for the hardwood, wall-to-wall carpet, and stairs in the new home, but was thinking of purchasing a second vacuum for the upstairs...maybe an upright since its all carpet....this way I don't have to carry a vacuum up and down stairs...hope this doesn't sound lazy... any thoughts?

Is a central vacuum worth the money?

Last edited by nynraleigh; 05-19-2007 at 07:20 PM.. Reason: spelling
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Old 05-19-2007, 08:07 PM
 
1,029 posts, read 1,917,274 times
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No. We put in in our current house. We put in an Electrolux and it works excellent. However the hose is cumbersome to store and carry around. We're buildind a new house now and will buy a Dyson upright.
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Old 05-19-2007, 08:29 PM
 
123 posts, read 484,691 times
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I dont' know anything about the central vac but if you decide against it and buy an upright, I highly recommend the Oreck XL 21. I have one and it is SO lightweight, quiet, and feels almost self-propelled. We have two dogs that shed a ton and the vacuum is wonderful for that. Love, love, love my Oreck.
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Old 05-19-2007, 08:43 PM
 
4,606 posts, read 7,664,846 times
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Our house already had a central vac installed. I cannot live without it now. We store our hose in a utility closet with a large hook specifically for it, and I never find that a hassle in anyway. I find the suction is amazing and all the different settings etc, tis great for our hardwood floors ceramic tiles, furniture. I central vac every other day and only have to change the bag maybe every 3 months. I believe ours is a nu tone. The collection basket is in our garage so very convenient for car cleaning etc also.
Personally I love them.
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Old 05-19-2007, 08:45 PM
 
1,246 posts, read 4,174,404 times
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We had central vac in our previous house and never used it. I wouldn't put one in if I were building either. I have a vacuum for each floor (3).
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Old 05-19-2007, 08:53 PM
rfb
 
Location: Raleigh, NC
2,592 posts, read 6,322,092 times
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Most homes in my neighborhood are pre-plumbed for a central vacuum, including mine. We never opted to put in the unit in the garage to actual drive the system, but several of my neighbors have. In general, they have been happy. It lets them suction out the dust and dirt from the house without having any of it re-deposit within the home. Although I've considered completing the system, I haven't put one in, I can't really comment on its usefulness.
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Old 05-19-2007, 09:21 PM
 
149 posts, read 772,464 times
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ditto. Had it in my last house, hate it, never used it and eventually had the canister removed to make way for anew water heater. I wouldn't bother getting it.
The hose is too long to drag around the house. Unless you have a really quality system, the suction is terrible. Think about it, how could a hose that long have good suction????

Quote:
Originally Posted by cncsmomndad View Post
We had central vac in our previous house and never used it. I wouldn't put one in if I were building either. I have a vacuum for each floor (3).
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Old 05-19-2007, 09:47 PM
 
Location: State College PA
402 posts, read 2,206,472 times
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loved it, loved it, loved it. Now...miss it, miss it, miss it. Guess it's just your preferences, right?
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Old 05-19-2007, 09:55 PM
 
997 posts, read 4,631,483 times
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I have one. Don't use it either. It is cumbersome to store the hose in the closet and have to lug it around with you. I prefer the regular "good old" vacuum.

The only pro is the canister is in the garage and I use the hose to clean the car. Hardly worth the cost in my opinion.

On a professional note, I never have heard a client say that they need to have or prefer a home with central vac.
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Old 05-20-2007, 12:35 PM
 
Location: Las Vegas
14,229 posts, read 29,900,389 times
Reputation: 27684
Used to have one. It was ok getting dust off tile/wood floors. Didn't work that great on carpet. If I really wanted to vacuum the carpet, I did the central vac first then did it over with an upright. It didn't work well on animal hair in carpet at all!
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