Whole house vac question

[TonyC]

My 2¢...I installed one myself 15 years ago when I built the house, an Electrolux. I've been very pleased with it and wouldnt't be without it. My life loves it as well which is more important. Cleaning the filter isn't too bad but it is another chore to do. I don't know anything about the filterless models but if they work well that sounds like a neat idea to me. Go for it!!!!!

 

[PhilNH5]

I have the galaxy unit that was sited in a link above. I have an open concept house and only have one outlet on each floor.

I assumed the vac was installed at the time of construction. The motor burnt up a year ago which would mean it lasted 18 years. I bought another galaxy unit because in those 18 years the unit DID NOT change one bit. So installation was a matter of using some hose clamps. I love jobs like that.

I would also put in a plug for the bagless unit. Ours is vented outside - as pointed out in an above post this means the fine particles go outside instead of recirculating in the house. Emptying the cannisterm is easy. undo 2 clamps and take it out to the compost pile.

The only option I wish I had is the kick plate in the wall for broom sweeping dirt into.

Phil

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Wow, I can't believe some of the prices in the other posts. I built my own central vac system for a fraction of the cost (under $400 for everything). The piping is 2" pvc made for vac systems and the outlets (5) were also purchaced. Total cost was about $85 for those parts. The vacuum itself was made from a 30 gal metal drum with a rubber gasketed top.($8) I mounted a vacuum motor ($75) in the center of the drum top and plumbed the discharge outside The inlet to the drum causes swirling around the drum that centrifuges the dirt out. A foam filter over the vacuum inlet in the drum has to be cleaned every few months. A HVAC solinoid and low voltage transformer ($20) turns it on when you plug in a hose and off when you unplug. The hose and electric beaterbar was under $200. It works great, I (my wife really) have been using it for 14 years.

Andy