Installation

How is a central vacuum system installed?

Just plain easy! The central vacuum unit is installed either in the garage, the workshop, or the basement. It is then connected to a piping system, installed in floors and walls, leading to inlets installed in strategic places in the house. The installation can be easily achieved in an existing home as well as in a new construction.

What is the difference?

What makes a central vacuum cleaner better than a portable vacuum?

A portable vacuum is heavy and difficult to carry around, it is cumbersome and involves storage. Its power is barely suitable and its receptacle has very low capacity (8 L). It also raises dust and can easily get dirty. Moreover, it is loud and of least durability.

A central vacuum, however, is of impressive durability, it is quiet and offers increased power. Moreover, you only have a light flexible hose to carry and the retractable hose is also available! Its receptacle offers a higher capacity (25 L) and its superior filtration system allows for a better air quality.

Cleaning Surface

Cleaning surface

The cleaning surface is an approximate data which represents the surface that can be efficiently cleaned by the central vacuum. This information, available in the technical data sheet of each central vacuum, can be useful to choose the appropriate equipment for a given environment.

Beware! Do not consider this data exclusively.

Technical Terms

To make the right choice, we understand that you need to compare units between them. And to succeed, you first need to become somewhat familiar with all the technical terms, so that you know what they stand for. This way, you will be able to have a precise idea of the data that is important for you to compare.

Water Lift (H₂O)

Water lift (H₂O) mainly measures the central vacuum’s engine strength, that is to say the strength with which the air is moved. The speed at which the air moves is a good indicator of the suction power. This data indicates, among other things, if the chosen power unit will be able to suck up larger debris of a certain weight. It is therefore a primordial element to consider when choosing a vacuum cleaner, especially if you intend to use an air driven powerhead: the greater the suction strength, the faster the roller will turn! This data is also crucial if you want to use the retractable hose system because it is precisely this force that will make the hose retract into the piping system.

Airflow (CFM/CMH)

This data measures the quantity of air that is moved at the same time, in cubic feet per minute (CFM) or in cubic meter per hour (CMH). A high airflow creates an important air movement, thus considerably increasing the capacity to vacuum dust and dirt within a larger range. This data is more important if you intend to use an electric powerhead: since it’s the electricity that will make the roller turn, the air movement created is of greater interest.

Water lift (H₂O) or Airflow (CFM/CMH)?

Having understood the respective interest of these two technical terms, it is important to know that these two characteristics ensure a maximal power output together. It is therefore essential to analyse both these data as a whole, and not independently.

Airwatt

Airwatt is a measurement that represents the motor performance, taking both these technical data into account. It is in fact calculated with a ratio between the airflow (CFM/CMH) and the water lift (H₂O). It is therefore a major technical data that must be considered, although it is very sensitive to other factors, and so it would be inconvenient to only consider Airwatt.

Cleaning surface

Each of our central vacuum cleaners is engineered to efficiently clean a specific given surface calculated in square-feet or square-meters. This information can help you easily target the units that may be suited for your environment.

However, you should not consider this data exclusively. Though the surface to be covered is an important matter, needs may differ according to many other factors:  the type of floors, the quantity and quality of rugs to be cleaned, the presence and number of pets, allergies, number and type of inlets, length and height of piping system, and so on.

That’s why we recommend that you discuss your expectations and needs with one of our authorized dealers or consult our Express quote page, coming soon.