About Central Vacuum Cleaners

In the late 1980s and 1990s, the idea of central vacuum systems spread from commercial usage to the new, popular home amenity. The system operates in the opposite manner of a furnace or air conditioner, sucking air and particles back to a tank, rather than distributing air. The system is simple in its operation and design, but requires significant work to install.

History

Primitive central vacuum systems have been in use since the 1800s. They started out as dust removal systems, with copper piping running through the house. Due to the large, noisy engine that was needed to suck the particles from throughout the house, the systems were expensive and usually only employed in large homes. The invention of a smaller, portable engine came with the industrial mobilization of World War II America. The result was a more manageable system that could be used in offices of any size, as well as homes.

Function

Central vacuum systems eliminate the need for a vacuum cleaner. The systems consist of a large tank with a motor. The motor powers a high-speed fan which is connected to series of pipes throughout the house. Outlets in each room feed to the pipes. A switch on the tank starts the system. Users can go room to room and hook up a tube to the outlet that has a vacuum head on the other end. When a room is finished being vacuumed, the user can unplug the tube and move to the next room.

Significance

Spencer Turbine is of the oldest central vacuum manufacturers in America. In 1925, it was selected as the central vacuum to be installed in The White House. In the 1930s, Spencer's units were installed in the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings. While the central vacuum would continue to be used in office buildings, it would not be until the 1960s when the units were introduced for home use.

Time Frame

The turning point in home central vacuum systems came in the 1960s. In order to install the units in a house, the household piping needed two qualities: high-pressure capacity and low cost. The introduction of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe to the consumer market made this possible. PVC pipe is traditionally used in plumbing applications because of its ability to withstand high pressure. But, the significant pressure involved in a vacuum system makes PVC pipe a logical choice. It is also more affordable than copper or steel piping.

Considerations

The primary consideration in central vacuum systems is price. The average system costs between $1,000 to $1,500 and includes the motor, piping and vacuum equipment. Professional installation can cost an additional $1,000 to $2,000, depending on the difficulty of the job and size of the house.