Sustainability
 Sustainability is about meeting human needs while preserving the
environment so that those needs can continue to be met in the future.
This is why central vacuum systems are, without a doubt, a great
contribution to a building project developed around sustainability.
According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel is the #1 recycled
material in America, so when you purchase a central vacuum system
made of steel, you can know that the raw materials used to
manufacture that product are sustainable. if it has the Lamb Ametek
motor with a carbon brush interrupter then the motor will last
longer, which reduces the use of raw materials....and because central
vacuum systems do last considerably longer than portable vacuum
cleaners, again, raw materials are conserved which also means less
waste in our landfills.
Forests
 Every year the average U.S. consumer uses wood and paper products that would make up a 100 foot tree 16 inches in diameter. The choice to buy a central vacuum system without paper bags or filters is a choice to preserve forests. True cyclonic central vacuum systems, like Imperium, Vacu-Maid, and Vacuflo require no paper bags. Another option is a central vacuum system with a cloth filter like the Imperium Emerald or Electrolux. You might also want to consider looking for a central vacuum system where the packing is either made from recycled materials or can be recycled. Finally, you may want to also consider quality microfiber cleaning cloths for cleaning your home without paper products or chemicals.
Energy
 When it comes to saving money on energy little changes can make a big
difference. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that vampire
energy costs US consumers 3 billion dollars a year. Vampire energy is
the energy an appliance uses even when it is turned off. When
household appliances are turned off, most are still using some
electricity. Appliances are either in passive standby mode or active
standby mode. A central vacuum system that allows you to actually
turn off the unit completely would save energy over time. Central
vacuum power units with dash boards and indicator lights that alert
consumers of the motor run time are never completely shut off. They
consume standby 24 hours a day, 8,760 hours per year. Some sources
are quoted as saying this vampire energy use may be as high as 4% of
US energy consumption.
Some central vacuum power units now come with circuit boards which enable a soft start thus reducing energy consumption when you turn the machine on. Select Imperium and VacuMaid power units offer this technology.
A final way to save energy is by opting for non–electric tool sets. Quality turbine tools offer an alternative to electric powerheads, and except in the case of very thick carpeting, will do a great job.
Additional Energy Saving Tips from Consumer Reports |
Indoor Air Quality
 According to the EPA and The American Lung Association, most people spend 90% of their time indoors where the air can be 2 to 5 times worse than the air outdoors, and 87% of Americans are unaware of this! Poor indoor air quality can affect health, safety and comfort – especially in children and the elderly.
Asthma and allergies strike 1 out of 4 Americans. That’s 60 million people.
A Study at the University of California at Davis School of Medicine concluded that a central vacuum system removes dirt and allergens from living areas, reducing allergy symptoms by as much as 61%. (Study results were published in an article entitled "The Influence of a Central Vacuum System on Quality of Life in Patients with House Dust-Associated Allergic Rhinitis", which appeared in the Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology*. The study was conducted under the auspices of Stanley M. Naguwa, M.D., and M. Eric Gershwin, M.D., both of the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA)
Unlike conventional vacuums, a central vacuum system vented to the outside removes 100% of dirt, dust mites, pollen, dander and other allergens from the house. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), as many as 10 million of the 100 million Americans who own pets are allergic to their dogs and cats. Yet 80 percent of pet owners keep their pets inside the home, triggering sneezing, itching, watery eyes, runny nose and a variety of other allergic reactions. Again a central vacuum system vented to the outside helps eliminate pet allergens in the home.
In fact, numerous allergy physicians and environmental organizations such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) say the use of central vacuum systems may help some patients live comfortably with pets in the home. Because they exhaust no air into
the room that can stir up pet dander and other allergens and completely remove contacted allergens from the living area, central vacuum systems significantly reduce exposure to animal dander, dust mites and other allergens. |
Free Recycling
For those committed to a green lifestyle we recommend central vacuum products manufactured from recyclable steel. In addition to the units
being recyclable, most recycling centers will accept central vacuum motors. All Central Vacuum Stores customers are invited to take
advantage of free recycling. When you buy a product from Central Vacuum Stores, simply send us your old central vacuum or intercom and
we will make sure the product is disposed of at an authorized recycling center. If you would rather do it yourself, visit
Recyclingcenters.org to find the local recycling center in your area. |
Green Building
 A central vacuum system is an essential addition to any green building project. The National Association of Home Builders has submitted to ANSI, for approval, Draft #2 of the National Green Building Standard. If adopted, this will become an American National Standard for Green Building. In this code a central vacuum system vented to the outside will earn 5 points. In addition to standardizing criteria for green building, efforts are also being made to standardize regreening (remodeling) projects. The American Society of Interior Designers’ Foundation and USGBC have partnered to launch REGREEN, the nation's first green residential remodeling guidelines.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ "encourages and accelerates global adoption
of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted
tools and performance criteria". According to the U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED for Homes rating system promotes the
design and construction of high-performance green homes. A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste;
and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. Benefits of a LEED home include lower energy and water bills; reduced greenhouse
gas emissions; and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. The net cost of owning a LEED home is comparable to that of
owning a conventional home. Central vacuum systems provide an opportunity for Leed points in a variety of ways, such as indoor air
quality and the use of recyclable steel . To learn more about green building visit the U.S. Green Building Council. |
Green-Up Products
Central Vacuum Stores now offers products bearing the "Green Up Your House" logo . Every time you see this logo on a product , you will know you are looking at an item that will have less of an impact on the environment than many of its competitors. "Green Up Your House" products offer one or more of the benefits mentioned in this article: Sustainability, Forest Preservation, Energy Savings,
Recyclable, Improved Indoor Ar Quality, and Green Building compliant.
Look for the "Green Up Your House" Seal on our website, or click on a category below for a complete list of all our "Clean and Green" products.
Central Vacuum Stores is excited to offer our customers one of the greenest, made in the USA, central vacuum power units on the market. Learn more about the Imperium CV7700.
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Green Up Your House
