Central Vacuum Buying Guide and Review

[@DeadKoby]

My home was already plumbed for one......back in the 70's. I got the original motor working......and used it until the bearings wore out. Them I switched to a newer power unit. I particularly enjoy the bagged central vac for the following reasons.
1. Infrequent bag changes (4-5 times a year)
2. exhausted air goes outside (no smells)
3. Plenty of power
4. There's an adapter for everything, and pipes to reach high or low.
5. Less noise
6. There's lots of "generic" parts that fit the CV system, from hoses to nozzles to power heads...... you can customize it like a hot rod.

[@thecleaningguru7253]

Agree 100%. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and insights with me/us. Cheers

[@andreaberryman5354]

Bags have tons of filter power and reduce crud getting everywhere. I'm thinking I could just exhaust it out currently unused dryer vent.

[@josephnadrignola1951]

To keep the hoses and pipes clear, my vacuum guy recommended a sucking up a cup or two of dry long grain rice on a regular basis. Condensation can form if your pipes go through a cold area such as your attic (like mine) or cold basement. The moisture makes the dust gummy and hard over time. We had a hell of a problem, had to replace sections of pipe that you could not see any light looking through on end. Disconnect the bag you are using and put a clean one in to see the result if you like, then just do it regularly.

[@RitaGreen]

Im just so excited to be moving into our new house that has central vac. I hope to install one of those kick sweeps in the kitchen and I know ill enjoy that!!!

[@WRS517]

We are buying a home with a central vac. This was helpful in preparation for my first time using a central vac system

[@thecleaningguru7253]

Congrats on your new home. Cheers. Anita

[@panasonicvac4036]

Unlike any upright or a canister vacuum, you don't need to empty or maintain the central vac as often as you think. I don't get why you think that's a con as they hold up a BUNCH of more dirt. Also, consider switching over to a bagged power unit for yourself or to your clients as it is MUCH cleaner to empty. MD Manufacturing's top fill units is what I would recommend. And if you're concerned about how to tell if the dirt bin is full or not, consider switching over to a power unit that uses either a clear bin or that has a window in the bin. Vacuflo's true cyclonic units is what I would recommend.

[@WJCTechyman]

I really don't understand the high rating of MD products. Sure, they are built well, but the design is horrible. You can get most central vacs with a bagging option or retrofit older power units from Beam and others with a bag collar adapter. I did that with mine and the bag has yet to be truly full after over a year. Once in a while I shake the bag to knock dust down off of the sides and it is still going. MD machines have incredibly large bags and that to me is one problem with the MD design. When you have to change the bag you have to disconnect two or three points of intake and then you are lifting quite a bit of weight up and over the top of the machine to get it out. A machine like a Cana-Vac you drop the bucket and pull the bag off of one intake. Cana-vac doesn't give you a utility inlet on the machine but I think that is an advantage because you can put the convenience or utility inlet anywhere you want it and, unlike MD, the Cana-Vac inlet can be controlled with a low voltage or dual voltage hose. I can see MD machines potentially being problematic when they need service to be provided. As I have said before about MD machines, it's a lot more work just to get to the motor(s) and the motors and controller board are more susceptible to being damaged in flooding conditions in basements or garages due to the upside down nature of the machine. MD is the only manufacturer to use this particular design while everyone else uses the bucket bottom and motor top design. Central Vac International at least makes its variation where the motors are out front on the side of the unit and Filtex did this for a number of years as well.

[@panasonicvac4036]

As much as I personally like MD units, I'll definitely admit that they can't please everybody. We all have different tastes and I think that's totally fine. I think Cana-Vac sells fine units, I'll also admit that it's something I personally wouldn't mind using for my own home. But I'm not really a fan of the inverted bag setup save for one model that doesn't have one. I really like my DrainVac that I have but the quality just feels cheap for the price and I don't like how small the bags are, they're even expensive to change out for how small they as they come in a two pack, in fact here in the states they cost just as much as buying three Tru-Seal bags from MD. Also, not all of the MD units came with a utility valve. If you ever watched my MD M85 video, it doesn't have one as it has a inlet valve next to it. In fact, you can not use a utility valve and install in a inlet valve instead on any MD unit. Personally, I don't really care whether my next central vac will come with a utility valve or not and if it doesn't, I have no plans to put a inlet valve next to the unit as I don't see myself of using one. As for your concern about maintaining MD units, what are the chances of having to dismantle the unit out for repair in the short term? Not often than you may think since MD has a proven track record of being one of the most reliable units on the market. Actually an older senior couple would buy a MD unit and it would very likely outlast both of them without having to ever take the unit down. Also, what are the chances that floods would get onto the units? Not often either and if it ever did happen, insurance would help pay to repair or replace it. But of course, not all MD top fill units have to be installed very close to the ground. And MD isn't the only manufacture that uses a top fill bag. Currently Cana-Vac, Vacumaid, CycloVac, Beam, and CVI (although a little different like you pointed out) also uses a top fill bag design as well.

[@dallasadams760]

Love my central Vac. Would also definitely recommend a unit from MD. I had central vac retrofit into my home. I will not live without it again.

[@thecleaningguru7253]

I will always have a central vac in my house. Cheers

[@xtrmfisher]

MD is what I have in my house too. Wonderful machines!

[@kelseyapodaca1831]

Thanks so much for this video!! Your very helpful and I appreciate all the information!!

[@thecleaningguru7253]

You are so welcome! Cheers. Anita

[@siuguy80]

I just got a new Filter Queen. Love it!

[@thecleaningguru7253]

They still make Filter Queens? I have seen 3 FQ in mint condition. Heavy and sturdy!

[@WJCTechyman]

To me a central vac is more novelty as I prefer using my portable machines especially my Kirbys and Rainbows. I do use the central vac more currently because more or less the convenience factor as I need to clear an area around the shelves where my Kirby and Rainbow systems are. The one thing I do like about central systems is the power when hooking the hose directly to the power unit and the handle controls. The only other machines I can think of with the hose handle controls are the Panasonic/Kenmore units as well as Shark uprights and its Rocket stick vacs, but the Shark stick vacs you are literally holding the vac unit in your hand like an oversized electric kettle.

[@rodcollier]

Consumer Reports don’t have any info on central vacuums, that’s why I was searching TH-cam. Can’t find anyone who compares the brands either…

[@edisonton4365]

Yes i remember that vacuum

[@jeanninedentremont8014]

Very helpful. Thanks, Anita!

[@johnm439]

Could you please film another central vacuum video with the sound on when you vacuum, time permitting? I followed you on Instagram and maybe you post more often over there. Thank you very much.

[@andreaberryman5354]

I'm wondering if I can run the entire piping system in my crawl. Mine is a very clean and dry space.

[@The_Eric12]

HELP!!❌❌❌
We have central vac that looks very similar in the garage, but it blows out so much dust the cars are filled. Not sure why cause we changed the filter and there’s no leaked holes other then the slits at the top and the exhaustion. I’m honestly about to build a cabinet around it or put a damn tarp over it.
Can I do something like re route the exhaust away from the cars? Or how bad would it be to put a bag over it?

[@janicekirkwelfare7215]

Great advice. Look forward to more.

[@performancevacuum]

Central Vacuums are the best!

[@sueh1091]

I am moving into a condo with central vac so I don't know much about it yet. when you mentioned someone have it beaming full, do you mean it's full in the walls or in the canister and canister needs to be cleaned out?

[@johnm439]

You mentioned Filter Queen and my parents had one of those.

[@thecleaningguru7253]

My client still has his and I use every time I am cleaning for him. It never dies. lol

[@willswitchcraft]

We still use a Filter Queen Majestic......but I'm trying to convince my wife to change it up...................

[@jhomrich89]

They cost way more than $400 to $1500, you might get a cheap kit off the internet for that but not a quality tank, powerhead, attachments and materials. Furthermore stay far away from consumer reports and talk to your local vacuum dealer consumer reports is not reliable at all...

[@calvinbryant1124]

I have a question about your central vac unit can you use a central vac to shampoo or the pickup wet things cuz I know those are a lot of those out on the market now and I just wanted to know can you use that too or pick up what things also do they use bag because I like bags more than I like shaking it out

[@panasonicvac4036]

There are liquid separators available to use for wet pickups with any central vac. And there are a few companies like Aqua-Air who make central vacs that CAN be used for not only wet pickup but also carpet cleaning and mopping. But personally, I wouldn't recommend one. I'd rather spend less on a Bissell Big Green 86T3 that would actually clean circles around.

[@calvinbryant1124]

@@panasonicvac4036 can you do a video on the Bissell Big Green

[@panasonicvac4036]

I don't own one but I'm sure there are plenty of videos of them on TH-cam. We usually just hire professional truck mount cleaners to have our carpets cleaned as we find they do the best job on our carpets.

[@yyc_flyer8729]

Love my central vac. Would not trade it for anything.

[@thecleaningguru7253]

I am with you on that. Can't live without my Central Vac either. Cheers