my Phantom (cannister type) has bit the dust(?) and I have not been thrilled with it for some time...cheaply made with plastic clips on plastic wand which is impossible to fix. The thing hasn't been able to hold itself upright for some time now. A good vaccuum cleaner is only a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than the Beam central vac and my parents have had one for over 20 years now and love it. Is it a pain to haul the long hose out all the time? I have a dirty family and should vacuum more often..than I do... because I hate my vaccum cleaner (but love a clean house).
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we have had central vac on our last 3 houses. Electrolux. As someone mentioned, make sure that you have enough outlets so you can reach (easier when you are retrofitting), that they are near electrical outlets (for the beater attachment) and that you don't pull against the wall corners, esp drywalled ones, or do get a cover. And don't try vacuuming the pine needles from your Christmas tree!!! We have had dogs and cats (multiple at one time) living in our houses where we had the vac and prairie dust. Also, I have bad allergies to dust and mold and animal dander. I will never, EVER, buy another canister.
Friends have central vac I don't. Some like it/ some don't.
One friend who hates it bought a used electrolux for downstairs and a new Kenmore for upstairs so No lugging vacuums up/down stairs.
She is happy with both vacuums in last 3 years.
I just wanted to second the vote of confidence in Kenmore if you should decide to go this route (or if anyone else is looking for a regular vac).
I paid $400 for mine (on sale) 7 years ago and it is still going strong with all parts/pieces intact, no repairs. I have children, a messy DH, a dog and a cat, and I use it 3 - 4 times a week (daily during shedding season - the pets that is).
When we bought our house from the builder the central vac system was roughed in and we thought that (maybe) we'd get one eventually. Well, after two weeks of lugging the canister around and having it bump into walls, we sure changed our minds! We did our research and bought an Electrolux. It's wonderful. The suction is so powerful that I swear it could suck a bird right out of a tree from across the street! (just a slight exaggeration)
I agree with Paula, a fabric hose cover will save any wear and tear on your walls.
Happy vaccuuming ;)
I put a central vac in my old house and did not put it in my new house. I can't live without a vac but for some reason I'm not passionate about the central vac, its ok, does the job, great suction...but no more better than a really good vaccuum (I strongly recommend Kenmore!). You're right a good vaccum is not that less expensive than a central vac but I'm really happy with my Kenmore.
I agree with paula...we have had one in our last 4 houses, couldnt be without it and u can have the cannister in the garage so u can vac your car too...a hose cover is a MUST...just gotta be careful when u take the hose up and down stairs...can be dangerous if u dont watch...best of luck
and I'm very happy with it. If you're concerned with the hose marking the walls, you can get a fabric tube that goes over top - we have this, and have had no problems with the walls getting marked.
I don't find the hose a big deal to carry around, but it's easier to take up and down the stairs if you roll it up first, just so it's not falling all over the place.
Personally, I wouldn't get a regular vacuum again.
Oh! and one important thing to have is an on/off switch right on the handle, otherwise, you'll have to pull the hose out of the wall to turn it off.
....but my sister does, and that tube is so big and bulky it'll suck in your right leg if you're not looking!
It reminds me of a giant Anaconda.
Hi Norm, I don't have a central vac and have heard mixed reviews from people who do. Some people love it but i heard it is a pain to lug the big hose out and it really marks the corners of the walls if you aren't careful. I am a heavy vacuum user (daily-two large, hairy dogs!). We were buying a vacuum a year for several years because everything is made of plastic and when a peice breaks it's off to the garbage because it can't be fixed. Three years ago we bought a Meile vacuum and we have been thrilled! They are pricey but it is very good!
I HATE vacuuming -- even with a central vac, it's my least-favourite housecleaning chore (which is why I make my hubby do it as much as possible ;)). But, a central vac IS a lot more convenient and makes the job less annoying -- the main problem is when the stupid tube twists and then gets bent and the thing won't suck anymore.
You need to make sure that you have your central vac outlets and your electrical outlets close to each other if you have carpeting and will be using the beater attachment. Also, make sure there are enough vac outlets in convenient locations so that you can vacuum the whole house -- we can only reach so much of the basement with ours, then we need to lug out the canister vaccum, which is SUCH a pain :(