new central vac disappointment

Linda Ross

15 years ago

I got a Beam central vac system and it doesn't have much suction. What central vac do you have?

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Comments (7)

brutuses
15 years ago
Have you posted this on the builder's forum also? A lot of folks there have installed central vacs in their new homes and could possibly help answer this question.
mitchdesj
15 years ago
You should call back the installer, there could be a loose connection somewhere, it happened to me recently.
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Wow, eight years seems like a short time to blow out a central vac motor. Are you sure it needs to be replaced and not just repaired? Sorry, I don't have any advice to give. I suspect that unless you live in a large metro area with multiple CV dealers, you will have to buy whatever brand the local dealer sells.
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There are 2 different (gas pump style) handle types (at least) with 2 different mechanisms for adjusting air flow/leakage at the handle. Why I have 2 different ones I don't know. If you want maximum suction, there should be no leakage at the handle. There is a plastic piece to turn to change the leakage. I don't have the remote shut off. It was a little pricey and I figure I could add it later if I wanted. Wife hasn't requested it and I don't mind not having it. The only time I think about it is with the turbo cat since that is loud when it isn't on carpet so going from room to room (hardwood in between), it is a bit annoying. Otherwise, our motor is pretty isolated that just leaving it on is no problem.
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jrldh - Everyone knows that you kiss butt with a maid. Anything that makes their job easier, makes them do a better job (hopefully). Most people probably wouldn't put a HAH in for this.... There is a website that is easily searchable to give you the costs on the parts. It is about $350 for each outlet which included the socked hose at 50 ft. We have 2000 per floor and 1 outlet per floor. So labor is the issue and I have to say this is definitely one of the ripoffs out there in my opinion. I would venture to say that in a 2000 per floor house, the HAH should take about 3 hours per outlet on top of a non-HAH system. So even at $30 an hour (this is a skill learned in a week), that should only be $200 upcharge. I did mine myself so my total cost was around $1500 including the motor, all the attachments (for 3 floors (although I didn't do HAH in the basement) + garage kit). Certainly not a big cost difference to a quality upright on each floor and a good shop vac.
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Put in a central vac - I had the rough-in when we bought this house and at some point somebody had it hooked up, but the place allocated for the vac was in the furnace cupboard - might have been 'convenient' but a stupid place (and illegal) to put it. With quite a lot of effort I was able to drill some holes in the garage and sneak the pipe through, around some ducts. Now it lives in the basement and vents to the outside, we can vacuum any time of night since it's almost completely silent outside, and really quite quiet inside. I've admired those kitchen sweep things and would love to put one in when I do up the kitchen. We have a dog that sheds like you wouldn't believe, so one of those would be ideal. I agree it would be easy to rig up with a relay, but it'd be dodgy at best - when I was house-hunting, I saw one where somebody rigged up a shop vac as a central vacuum, it didn't fill me with confidence....and it sort of went with the house, half-assed. Looking at it another day, a central vac is a real selling point here where I live. With what we've done with the house since May when we moved in, I think we've added at least $30k value, by spending maybe five grand.
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lyfia
15 years ago
I have a vaccumaid and I have way more suction than I want at times. Small things better be out of the way.

As others mentioned could there be something wrong with the install?
uxorial
15 years ago
Our central vac is Nutone. It has terrific suction, and it's over 20 years old. Like lyfia says, small things better get out of the way. I can vacuum up small stones, coins, and socks with no problem.

There could be a leak in your system somewhere. All the pipes have to be air-tight, otherwise, you won't get enough suction.

I would call the company that installed it.
amycj
15 years ago
I have to agree...call the installer! I've had a Beam for the last three years and LOVE it. No problems here with low suction.
skypathway
15 years ago
My beam is 11 years old and has wonderful suction - sure beats any hand vacuum cleaner I've ever owned. There must be something wrong with your installation.

Sky
susieq07
15 years ago
Mine is an Air Vac (central cyclonic system) very powerful, strong suction even after 12 yrs.

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new central vac disappointment

Comments (7)

brutuses

mitchdesj

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skypathway

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