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Thread Number: 45652
/ Tag: Brand New Vacuum Cleaners
Central vacuum recommendations. |
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| Post# 472116 6/25/2024 at 18:22 by Johnsmith96 (East Coast) | ||
Hey all, it’s been a while since I’ve posted. I just bought a house two months ago and I’m looking to retrofit a central vacuum in. I really want something with some power. My home is two levels though the upstairs is more of a loft area. It is closed off from the downstairs, but it isn’t the full size of the entire house because it’s an A-frame. I’m leaning more towards a MD unit. I really want to exhaust to the outside of my house. I do have a ground level basement/garage that the unit would be put in. I’ve seen some recommendations on some of the dual motor units from many brands, I would say my house is 12 to 1300 ft.² on the main floor and the upstairs is probably 500 ft.². I’m open to other brand suggestions.
Also am I going to regret putting in a powerful unit? My fear is picking some thing average to slightly better than average suction and feeling like one of my standalone uprights or canisters gives me the same or better cleaning performance. I know central vacuums are often recommended or marketed for specific square footage of homes, but I had a vacuum made garage utility vacuum that claimed to be 4 to 600 air and I didn’t feel that it was that powerful. For a utility vacuum it was “okay” but I think of that experience and can’t fathom putting something that average into my home to only get that performance after all the work. | ||
| Post# 472124 , Reply# 2 6/26/2024 at 06:04 by Johnsmith96 (East Coast) | ||
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K15 | ||
| Post# 472125 , Reply# 3 6/26/2024 at 09:18 by FantomFan (Rochester, New York) | ||
CENTRAL VACS | ||
| Post# 472126 , Reply# 4 6/26/2024 at 10:26 by k15 (Canada) | ||
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I like the Canavac Signature series, though I'm not sure if they're available in the US. I like Vacuflo and Husky as well. | ||
| Post# 472130 , Reply# 5 6/26/2024 at 10:43 by Dysonman1 (the county) | ||
Owen Perkins installed a silent master, with two 3-fan Motors in my house. They did not yet have the true seal HEPA bags. He then installed a commercial vac-u-flo. I got a sinus infection from emptying it, so we went back to the silent master which now has true seal HEPA bags. It's the best central vacuum, but one thing it's not is silent. The exhaust on mine is vented outside. I love the true seal bags. I have three electro valves, a chameleon, a VAC pan, a Vroom, A garage outlet by the garage door to clean the cars, as well as two Wally flex with one being in the laundry room and one being over the workbench.
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| Post# 472131 , Reply# 6 6/26/2024 at 11:18 by Johnsmith96 (East Coast) | ||
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Dysonman1
What is the square footage of your house? I looked into a dual motor MD, silent master, the S 900 R. Because it’s only $100 more than the 715h. I just had a new electrical system upgrade in my home, so now I have two panels. One where the old 60 amp fuse box was, and a new panel on the other side of my garage, where the new main power from the street comes in. So I have lots of flexibility with Wiring, my father can do it. But I feel like a few years ago when I asked this question, I can’t find where I asked it or any of the information that was given, people said there is such thing as powerful for a home. I can’t imagine the S 900 R being excluded from that. Though I’d love to own one because I think it could suck the Chrome off a hitch ball from the sounds of it. I also know you can get relief valves and open them up on the handle of your central vacuum hose to assist with suction control. At most there would probably be four outlets in the house, maybe a utility valve in the garage next to the unit and eventually a VAC pan. I’d also be installing this myself. I called the only local vacuum store around and they sell riccar central vacuums, but no installation.
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| Post# 472133 , Reply# 7 6/26/2024 at 11:42 by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
I really like the Flo-Master F650t, my uncle owns one and it's got amazing power. I'd also recommend the Modern Day M715h. The one I'd love to install in my own home would be a SilentMaster S900r, however that may be too powerful for you so I'd consider the M715h instead. CycloVac is also a good choice. Either the 625, 725, or 925 would be my pick. I remember someone complained about the 7525 being too powerful for their smaller home. If you're looking for bagless, Vacuflo would be my pick. I really like their 566Q and 760 units, both of which I think are the best bagless vacuums on the market in my opinion. They also have really good bagged units as well. Their DB5000, DB7000, and DB8000 would be my picks. Although I'd prefer to buy one of those under the Dirt Devil name that Vacuflo makes for them. VacuMaid makes excellent units as well, my pick would be the SR800. And I personally own a DrainVac Little Giant sold by ThinkVacuums.com, I love it but I'd recommend buying one from a local dealer cause ThinkVacuums.com is terrible.
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| Post# 472136 , Reply# 8 6/26/2024 at 12:55 by Johnsmith96 (East Coast) | ||
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Panasonicvac | ||
| Post# 472137 , Reply# 9 6/26/2024 at 14:29 by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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I think for your house, you'd be fine with an M715h. My uncle's F650t although a little less powerful than the M715h, it still feels like it's pulling the carpet out of the floor. That's one of the reasons why I think there's a good chance I wouldn't be installing a S900r in my own home cause it may be too powerful especially for my altitude level. Other reasons are it's alot more electricity to use and one more motor I'd need to replace so longevity it'd be even costly to operate than the M715h.
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| Post# 472140 , Reply# 10 6/26/2024 at 15:46 by Johnsmith96 (East Coast) | ||
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Anyone an MD dealer that ships to the east coast? | ||
| Post# 472145 , Reply# 11 6/26/2024 at 19:22 by Blackheart (North Dakota) | ||
Just my 2c
If you're gonna get a central vacuum get the most powerful unit you can. I've done SOME measuring of central vacuums and Their performance is kind of all over. (measurements taken at 30ft hose)
Beam 2100 Baird 3.5 or about 72 CFM Broan CV40 (dual motors in series) Baird 5.5 or about 88 cfm MD Silentmaster S4 (single dual stage motor) 88 Hose CFM Drainvac Viper (Flow thru dommel motor) Baird 7.5 or about 100 cfm Canavac XLS (single 8.4" motor" 111.49 CFM ~130" suction Beam 2900 (dual 2 stage motors in parallel) 129.48 CFM 116" suction Unfortunately I didn't have my gauges for many of the older machines so no suction readings and a baird meter. I've come to the conclusion that only the strongest of central vacuum units are really worthwhile. Many higher end canisters are capable of getting at least 100 hose cfm why settle for a central that has less? In short whatever brand you decide on I'd suggest get the strongest unit they have that uses dual parallel motors. I'm certainly not an expert on central vacuums though | ||
Post# 472146 , Reply# 12 6/26/2024 at 22:16 by Vinvac  (Dubuque IA) |
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Not being a fan of central vacuums, I would recommend a high end canister.
Central vacuums are not all they are cracked up to be. Lugging a 30 foot hose around, getting caught on furniture, like other have stated it seems to have good air flow but the hose length lessons its productivity. I know many think they are wonderful, but not a fan here. The funeral home I used to clean for installed one, I always brought my Kirby, it cleaned better and more versatile. Just my opinion and my two cents. | ||
| Post# 472149 , Reply# 13 6/27/2024 at 13:02 by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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If you're unable to have a MD unit shipped to you, you can look online for either a OVO or a Allegro unit. The OVO 700AW uses the same motor as the MD F700t but for more than half the price off. And the Allegro Zenith uses the same motor as the MD M715h but also alot cheaper as well, although it is bagless so I'd recommend to convert it as bagged. I did fail to mention that the Riccar power units your dealer has are actually CycloVac built units.
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| Post# 472160 , Reply# 14 6/28/2024 at 09:31 by dysonman1 (the county) | ||
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I would strongly suggest a True Seal Hepa bagged unit. Dumping a year's worth of dirt into a trash can results in huge clouds of dirt for you to breath-in. Ask me how I know! Evan Rogers at The Vac Shack and Owen Perkins at Just Central Vacuums in Naperville installed my Modern Day S5 several years ago (after the sinus infection from the Vac U Flo cleared up) and I couldn't be happier. I liked the Vac U Flo (and it was the commercial dual motor model) but hated the filthy emptying. Modern Day true hepa bags are SEALED! The last bag we took out of my Modern Day (Evan did it) weighed almost fifty pounds. Full to the brim - and still pulled it in.
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| Post# 472183 , Reply# 16 6/29/2024 at 13:34 by Johnsmith96 (East Coast) | ||
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Centralvacs1928 | ||
| Post# 472195 , Reply# 17 6/30/2024 at 02:26 by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada) | ||
John, I would also STRONGLY suggest looking at CycloVac central vac units as well. The company is practically legendary here in Canada! Seriously, the company has lots of dealers and a strong reputation for building a QUALITY central vac unit. So much so, that Tacony Corporation has them build their Riccar central vac units, and McHardy Vacuum in Canada has their Vacuum Canada units built by them as well. I am not saying Modern Day isn't a great choice....I believe they are as well....BUT I firmly believe CycloVac will give any Modern Day unit a darn good run for the money and performance.
As for your fear, I would say it's a valid and true fear. What people don't realize about central vac is, the units HAVE to be super powerful, because when you are using the hose and powerhead, you lose TONS of airflow and waterlift. In reality, most central vacs are no better than a high end Miele, Sebo or Lindhaus canister with a powerhead for airflow and waterlift through the hose. I totally agree with Devin, who goes by Blackheart on here - reality is, there is no advantage with central vac for airflow, suction or carpet cleaning ability over a high end canister. Years ago, one could make the argument that the central vac exhausting outside was better for air filtration, but now that modern sealed HEPA canister vacuums exist that's no longer a valid argument. And as others have pointed out, dragging that huge bulky hose around is just as inconvenient as dragging and dealing with a canister vacuum behind you, so pick your poison. Regardless of which brand you buy, make sure you buy their TOL unit with their most powerful motor so you will be happy with what you feel at the end of the hose. And btw, one other reason why I prefer CycloVac is some of the motors used are from Electro Motor, the former Electrolux motor manufacturer. | ||
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Post# 472208 , Reply# 18 7/1/2024 at 10:02 by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640) |
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Great info, Owen | ||
| Post# 472214 , Reply# 19 7/1/2024 at 22:32 by Maytag142c (Somewhere over the rainbow. ) | ||
I will second Owen's recommendation! About 5 years ago I purchased an MD M715H and have not looked back. What originally was installed was an MD Airmaster A650 which to me is a fantastic unit as well but I wanted something top emptying. I feel that the performance at the end of the hose is far superior when compared to a lot of the high end cleaners and that comes from once owning several newer cleaners. The M715H when vented outside is virtually silent throughout the house minus the huge rush of air going through the hose or vacupan. Emptying the unit is also a breeze as it's a quick flip of the lid, cap over the bag holes, pull it out and pop a new one in, done. Let's talk warranty too... MD backs their units with a 10 year warranty which its highly unlikely you'll need to use since they do use some of the best components on the market. All things may be prone to failure at some point but as far as MD goes you cannot go wrong. To Answer your question on the circuit breaker, although it is recommended, the M715H is a 120v unit that draws about 15 amps so having it on its own is best. In the past, I've owned a vacuflo 360 (it's now at the office), electrolux (installed at a former partners), royal, beam (tossed), and even a eureka the boss unit. I promise i'm not biased, I just know what I like and what suits my needs and over exceeds my expectations.
Cassie | ||
| Post# 472776 , Reply# 23 8/15/2024 at 12:46 by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
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Andrew
You've NEVER owned or even used a central vac before. Don't knock it until you've tried it or otherwise you're getting called out for silly claims that aren't even true. Having used many central vacs before and even owning one myself, there is definitely a night and day difference compare to portable vacuums. There are no cords or extension cords to deal with, there are no re-circulated dust particles that trigger allergies, they have larger dirt capacity, there are no filter troubles, they last a long time in fact my parents' still have use theirs' since 1991, definitely costs less than buying new portables overtime, lighter and easier to use, and not awkward or maneuverable to carry around. You're also not realizing that they can be more versatile and powerful. There is not a single portable I can think of that can outclean alot of centrals that I've used before. And for being overpriced? I work at an appraisal office for a living and they definitely add value to the home, it's like you're getting a refund or making a profit for selling a home with a central vac. Plus there are centrals out there that can cost less than a portable, this user of the original thread has already chosen a OVO 700 AW. It's not even close to a top of the line portable.
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| Post# 472828 , Reply# 24 8/18/2024 at 23:28 by Durango159 (State College, PA) | ||
Central Vacuums have come a long way with vast feature array
Two of the most popularly recommended lines right now are MD and VacuFlo. CycloVacs is also very good but many seem to be going with VacUFlo over that.
A consumer could get a basic Beam or low end Nutone setup that had a single motor setup or have a triple motor setup running in series. There are units that power off a standard 110 Volt outlet and units that have their own dedicated 220V breaker in a panel. Depending on the system, and how motors are wired in series, they can provide enough power for 3 or more users all to be connected on one system and each having more than enough power to spin an air driven TurboCat nozzle. Back in the 90s and beyond, the case would be that a user carried a 25' - 35' heavy vinyl/ rubber hose around the home and plugged it into various outlets. Outlets can be direct power on where the hose powers a straight suction system with no controls, to a fancier direct connect inlet with power nozzle connection. The hoses would be 3 way control for Off, Suction Only, Suction and Power Nozzle. The current major trend in centrals is piped stored hose, otherwise known as Chameleon valve setups or Hide-A-Hose. Basically a 60' or other length hose stores in piping in the wall and is pulled out and locked into a position when a customer wants to use it. With many homes having hard flooring as the current trend, the straight suction setup works great and conusmers attached an air turbine nozzle or battery operated power nozzle for the limited carpeting they have. Or conusumers can still get standard outlets with now crush resistant hoses. The crush resistant hoses are about 1/3 the weight of old rubber/ vinyl hoses from back in the day.... Think about the heavy hoses that canister vacs such as Eureka Rotomatic, Kenmore Whispertone, Hoover Dimension 1000 had compared to current models like a Sebo D4 canister, Eurekas of the 2000s, Riccar, Miele. I don't know where the user got the idea that the systems leak. A professional installer glues central vac piping together. The piping is run in a way that the tightest 90 degree angle in the system is just behind the outlet so that if a long object like a pen gets sucked in, it stops right at the outlet and doesn't get trapped somewhere in wall piping. The systems are pressure checked to ensure that all hose inlets whether Hide-A-Hose, WallyFlex for cleaning out the dryer or at a workstation, Vroom setup for quick grab around the kitchen, VacPan and any other installed outlets are properly sealed and system is reaching proper CFMs, and water lift according to manufacturer specs. The technical term for the unit is called Working Vacuum Pressure and a professional installer like many on this group or on FB vac groups could get into and discuss the gauge they use. There are many many options for a central vac. I have seen them installed in trailer homes, to churches and commercial properties. | ||
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