Central Vac questions

[Buzzard]

I know nothing about central vacuums. Our house, although older, is equipped with central vacuum lines but has no power unit. I'm not sure there's actually ever been a unit connected to the lines as the inlets look pretty clean on the inside.

So...are all central vacs the same? I mean, can I go buy whichever one and it'll be compatible with the inlets that exist in our home? Is there any more to it than that?

I haven't lived in a home with central vac since I was a kid, and that system was different I do know that. Each inlet had a little power button you pressed to start it up. Mind you that was vintage mid seventies, so might have been unique. The setup in our house has inlets that just open up, no power buttons. So how do central vacs like this power up when you plug the hose in?

[Calgary14]

I can't speak for all central vac systems but this is how mine powers on. When you insert the hose in, the end is metal and completes the circuit - see two wires near the top - black and red. Once the metal hose touches the little metal knob things it completes the circuit and powers it up.

In my house (3 years old) it was roughed in for central vac. All I needed to do was buy a Hoover central vac from Costco (around $500). It came with the wall inlets, floor pieces and of course the main unit. Without the wall inlets it was just a hole there, with a wire ready to be connected to the central vac inlet.

Here is what a similar central vac kit looks like: http://www.costco.ca/Electrolux-Cent...100107035.html

With my system there is no power button, aside from one on the central vac unit itself which is in the garage

[Buzzard]

lol...I saw that on Costco's web site which got my wheels turning on this! Seems like a good price for that, no?

[PaperBagger'14]

They are all similar when it comes to the electrical, they require their own dedicated plug on one breaker with nothing else on it. Have an electrician install the plug wherever is most convenient for the canister and motor to be installed (usually closest to where the lines terminate in the basement). Usually an electrician can also finish the remainder of the piping as well (it is very similar to running PVC). If you decide to do it yourself message me for some pointers.

[Wormius]

Have an older Duovac, but the switch to turn the vacuum on is part of the of the hose end. Our tubes all terminated is the garage, which is good for getting all of the dust and cat hair out of the house. If you have a cat, you will be amazed.

Bought an extra hose for the garage as well, nice for cleaning the vehicles.

If you have carpet or rugs the electric carpet brush is a worthwhile addition. It gets powered from a wall outlet

[Ace]

If you think central vac is useless those lines are potentially great conduit for Cat 6 cables.

[rain_e]

Just a tip when you are shopping for a central vac unit. There are actually some models that need to be vented to the exterior. If you aren't mounting your unit in the garage then you probably want to stay clear of these type.