How to Choose a Central Vacuum System for your Home

Click here for Central Vacuum Installation Guide

The Inlet Kit

1. You need to decide the number of inlets (where you plug the hose into while vacuuming) throughout your home. We lean towards one inlet for every 700 sq. feet. This step is important because regardless of the unit or attachments you select, the rough-in portion of your system will not be affected. If you need assistance in this step, please contact us and we will give you some ideas and suggestions.
2. Now that you have determined the number of inlets, you now need to decide if you are going to install standard or electrical inlets. The type of inlets you choose depends on several variables: New construction or existing; type of flooring (bare floors, carpet, area rugs); animals that shed.
   1. Standard Inlets have no electrical ability to power any attachments that you might use. They do however provide your system the capability to turn the unit on or off from the handle. If you install standard inlets, you can use electrical attachments, but your hose will require a “corded” or “pigtail” end that can be plugged into an electrical receptacle that is normally 4 to 6 feet from the inlet. These types of inlets are installed in both new and existing homes.
   2. Electrical Inlets have the 110 current directly wired to the inlet and when a “direct connect” hose is plugged in for vacuuming, you have no other wires to operate an electrical power head for cleaning your carpets, and these inlets are also wired to turn the unit on and off from the handle. Electrical inlets will require an electrician to hookup the electrical portion of the inlets. Normally, these types of inlets are installed in new construction. Installing them in existing homes can be done by taping the electricity from the closest 110 receptacle nearest to the inlet that you are installing.

Note: Our inlet kits come with universal inlets which will work with all major brand attachment kits.
Click here for central vacuum tubing information

The Unit

1. There are three main types of central vacuum units to choose from:
   1. Paper Bagged Filtered Systems – These units deposit debris into a paper bag that also serves as an exhaust filter. As the bag fills, you discard the bag and replace it with a new one. NuTone, Eureka, AirVac and WalVac all carry central vacuums with paper bags. Outside venting is not necessary, but recommended if possible.
   2. Fabric Drop Down Filtered Systems – These units have reusable filters. Just shake out to clean. Debris is captured in the dirt canister which then is emptied. AirVac, Beam, DustCare, Eureka, Hayden, Hoover, Imperium and NuTone all carry fabric and filtered central vacuums. Outside venting is not necessary, but recommended if possible.
   3. True Cyclonic Separation Systems – These units require No bags, and No filters. Cyclonic action separates debris with centrifugal force by directing debris through a cyclonic separator. These systems provide maximum air flow where bagged or filtered units can be constricting. The true cyclonic units are: Imperium, Vacu-Maid and Vacuflo. True cyclonic systems require outside venting.
2. Now it is time to select the unit for your home. Units have various ratings, but you must first determine the size needed for the square footage of your home. So, the most important rating to begin with is the Sq. FT ratings.
   Click on our exclusive Comparison System to help you determine a system for your home.

The Attachments

1. Now it is time to select a set of attachments for your home. One of the most common misconceptions about attachments is that you need to purchase the same companies attachments that your unit is, but that is not true. The most important requirement for your attachments, regardless of your unit, is the type of inlets that you have installed. So, if you have electrical inlets, you will need attachments with a direct connect hose. If you have standard inlets, you will need to choose either a non-electric hose, or if you require an electrical power head, then you will need a hose with a “corded” or “pigtail” end.
2. Once you have determined if you´re going to require a direct connect hose, non-electrical, or pigtail, then you have a choice between any manufacturers that you desire.
3. A few tips:
   1. If you have none or very little carpet - Bare Floor Tool Kit
   2. If you have low pile and no animals (i.e. Berber) - Air Driven Tool Kit
   3. If you have bare floors, carpet, animals - Electrical Tool Kit
   4. If you have carpet and are not comfortable without an electric power head, regardless of your pile size or animals - Electrical Tool Kit
   5. There are also garage kits available.

The VacPan

VacPan´s are excellent for high traffic areas like kitchens. They are usually installed in the kickboard under the kitchen cabinets or in a baseboard. They offer the convenience of sweeping dirt right up to the VacPan and simply kicking the switch to activate the vacuum and remove the debris.

Still have questions?

• Call us toll free and we will be more than happy to help walk you through the decision process. Our phone number is 800-221-8227.
• Or click here and fill out a quick vac quote. By answering a few questions we will be able to send you back a suggested system based on your responses.
• Or send us an email