Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

Hi,

Who thinks the day will come, and how long will it take, when the "vacuum cleaner" will generally be accepted as just a hole in the wall that we plug a hose into? No more cyclones, water baths or super-duper filtering for alllergy sufferers.  No thought over buying canister or upright and what warranty length is.  No more concerns about cord length or operating noise levels.  I'm not just talking central vacuum system but also of a possible change in our view of practicality.  The day is not that far away when our computers will also be our telephone and TV among other things.  Come to think of it they are now though not widely employed.  Does anyone feel central vacuum systems may one day be provided in apartment buildings and other multiple dwelling as a given as well as in individual private homes?

Thanks,

Venson

I would say that it wouldn't take too long at all.  They are becoming more popular recently, and with the new things added to the industry, such as more powerfull motors, they clean better than any portable cleaner.  Its not a crazy idea at all to think centrals will become the most common type of vacuum.

Hi Fellow vacuum experts.

The central vacuum is almost standard issue in new construction,the benefits far out ways the costs,whats a decent portable vacuum cost 500.00 plus,for anything that lasts longer than 3 years.We sell both portable and central systems,as long as service and installs,this market is just booming right now with no let down in site,centrals are a must have by the younger homeowners,mostly because they grew up with it,[i bought my electrolux because my mom and auntie told me to buy them,what better than word of mouth advertising?. And just like service on portables,there is also a built -in service on centrals [it's a win win for all partys involved].

mole

Hi Mole,

I did learn that back in the day, the very early 1900's, high-end multiple dwellings like the Dakota and the Langham near Centra Park supplied not only central vacuum systems but central refrigeration that set aside the need for iceboxes.  A Finnish company also produces vacuum systems specifically for apartment building and says that this amenity is factored into the rental price.

Yeah, I'm crrazy about portable vacuums but central system use is sort of like moving from the chamber pot to the modern day toilet.  By the way, does anybody know that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the first portable electric vacuum cleaner?

Venson

Here's my thoughts on it.  Central vacuum cleaners were invented before we had "real" vacuum cleaners...at one time they were gasoline-powered, then the invention of electricity changed the machine.  There was a great writeup on this in a past VCCC newsletter detailing the history of the central vacuum which this information comes from.  Maids of the early-1900s walked downstairs to the basement and threw the knife switch, which started the machine, and it was supposed to be left running for a while.  Wonder how many maids they went through that way, considering all of the exposed wiring, terminals, etc., and the high voltage going through them.  High possibility for injury, electrocution, etc., and this is true...recently I heard about a 1910 Spencer removed from a house, still in working condition amazingly enough, powered by a knife switch on the wall.  It was interesting in the sense that the motor had carbon brushes but behaved like an induction motor; the brushes were only used for starting the motor, then they snapped back centrifugally much like a start winding would.  Then after the motor gained sufficient speed, a clutch engaged the fans...of course you couldn't have any ports open until it got up to speed. 

Central vacuums, honestly, are somewhat foreign to me and something I'm largely unfamiliar with even though I've played with a few over the years...down in Texas they're really not that common.  I've since learned more by talking to people who specialize in them, however, and I do find them fascinating.  I also plan on having one installed in my future home.  However, this is just my opinion, but since they have been around for 100 years, if most people indeed preferred this method of cleaning versus the portable cleaner, wouldn't they be more popular than portable cleaners today?  But that is not the case.  It is my understanding (and from observation) that more power and performance comes at a price.  Obviously not everyone can afford a $1500+ two-motor 240V system, and some have homes that are really too small to warrant the use of a central.  Again, just from an untrained eye point of view, I do not see the point in installing a small unit in a single-story 1200-square-foot 2/1 home when a portable cleaner would work just fine. 

To me it seems that while centrals are powerful, portable vacuum technology is catching up in power.  There's also the issue of power and filtration.  I like the idea of constant power when I'm cleaning...suction, airflow, etc. that does not drop off no matter how fine the material I am picking up is.  While some central enthusiasts have told me that since the power is a lot greater in the beginning, the loss is not as noticeable; doesn't mean it's not there, though.  To my knowledge, the VacuFlo is the only unit with a dual-cyclonic arrangement as it stands now; the others either have a filter or bag arrangement which undoubtedly leads to reduced performance.  I would like to see more of that technology incorporated into centrals...I know it can be done.  On a phone conversation with another poster whom I know is a central enthusiast not too keen on the Dyson, I jokingly remarked that the Dyson is the reason that centrals will never gain popularity over portables. 

Of course, even as a die-hard Dyson fan I know that is most likely not true...I was just doing that to see what the reaction would be ;-)

Hey Venson and Motorhead,

 

Since you guys like history – check out an early GE silent film called “The Home Electrical”, promoting "electricity" and a "civilized life".  I converted and uploaded it myself.  Runtime is over 11 minutes.  A central vacuum cleaner with a keyed switch is shown at minute 2:21.  Many appliances are shown, some with lots of potential danger, I cringed a few times watching this movie.  I do not know the films date, but if you do (or want to take a guess) let me know.

 

Video here (make sure to view in “original size” vs. small size)

 

DIB

Great video, I had no idea GE produced early centrals.   I have to say, after seeing all of these early electrical devices and the potential hazards they would have had (the electric shaving mug for example), I'm glad that we've come a long way from cloth wiring and exposed terminals.  Still a great step back in time, though, and definitely a lot older than I would have imagined.  I'm guessing it's from the 1900s?  Could be teens as well, at the very latest.