Instead of a portable, self-contained appliance like a traditional vacuum, a central vac is a whole-house system. Tubing installed inside the walls is connected to a vacuum pump and collection unit in the basement or garage.

There are no electrical cords to bother with - all it takes to start the system is to insert the hose into the wall inlet. The system starts automatically and stops when the hose is removed. The dust and dirt collects in the large canister. Instead of plugging a portable vacuum into pre-determined electrical outlets and hoping the cord reaches around your home, you can move the central vacuum hose from inlet to inlet.

You can have multiple inlets installed in every room, or you can have a single inlet in a convenient location that allows you to reach most rooms with the long (usually 30-foot) hose.

One of the most popular features of a central vac system is the "dustpan" vac - a small, wide inlet built into the toekick area under a kitchen cabinet. Just sweep debris from the kitchen toward the inlet, open the inlet with your toe, and away it goes - no more messy dustpans!

If you decide to have a central vacuum system installed in your house, there are several things that will happen. First, a central power unit is installed in an out-of-the-way area such as the basement, garage or utility room. Then, wall inlet valves are installed in various locations throughout the house. The valves are connected to the power unit through tubing. The tubing can be run through the attic, basement or cold air returns in the house.

After installation, the system is used by plugging the lightweight hose and power brush unit into a wall inlet. The power button is located on the handle on most systems, so it is totally controlled by you. In other words, you don't have to go to the power unit and turn the system on. You simply put the hose unit in the inlet and begin vacuuming. The system then carries the dirt, dust and debris out of the room, through the in-wall tubing, to the main power unit, where it is deposited in a canister or bag. Central vacuum bags and canisters only need to be emptied an average of once every three months.

Benefits of Central Vacuums      How They Are Installed