Central Vacuum

Clean Air, Green Appliance

In a recent survey by Professional Builders Magazine, indoor air quality ranked second only to energy efficiency in importance to home buyers. Central vacuums help achieve both.

LEED® Points

The National Green Building Standard awards one LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) point toward homes containing a central vacuum system. Only central vacuums are recognized for this.

Energy Savings

Though central vacuums have more powerful motors than portable vacuums, they can save energy and money. As syndicated columnist James Dulley writes, “The energy-saving advantage of using a central vacuum is the fact you probably will have to vacuum less often. Since dust and dirt are captured in the central power unit located in a garage, utility room or basement, none blows through the filter and back into the room." Up to five times more powerful than an upright vacuum, a central vacuum system deep cleans carpets, and easily cleans upholstery, draperies, wood and tile - removing more dust from the home.

Non-Toxic Allergen Removal

Paula Baker-Laporte in her book Prescriptions for a Healthy House says, “Indoor air pollution is one of the top four environmental health risks identified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)”. The EPA has even identified one of the major means of reducing chronic illnesses is to “keep the house clean. House dust mites, pollens, animal dander, and other allergy-causing agents can be reduced, through regular cleaning.” She goes on to warn that “allergic individuals should leave the house being vacuumed because of the increased airborne levels of allergens and other biological contaminants.” She suggests the use of a central vacuum to alleviate this problem. Central vacs do not stir up the dust in the home and 100% of contacted dirt, dust and allergens are transported out of the living area without the use of chemicals or laborious processes.

Clinical Proof

In 2002 the Division of Allergy and Immunology at the University of California, Davis, conducted a clinical study that proved a link between central vacuum systems and allergy relief. The study found that patients experienced a 40% to 61% improvement in their symptoms when they switched from using a portable vacuum to a central vacuum system to clean their homes. In fact, the American Lung Association’s Healthy House requires central vacuum systems where more than 70% of flooring is carpeted. "Poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to the development of chronic respiratory diseases,” they say.

Indoor Air Quality Improved

According to the EPA, indoor air levels of many pollutants may be 2-5 times, and occasionally more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels. These levels are of particular concern because it is estimated most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors. Over the past several decades, exposure to indoor air pollutants is believed to have increased due to a variety of factors, including the construction of more tightly sealed buildings, reduced ventilation rates to save energy, the use of synthetic building materials and furnishings, and the use of chemically formulated personal care products, pesticides, and household cleaners. One of their suggestions is to use a vacuum system that's vented to the outside. A central vacuum removes all contacted debris out of the living area of a home.

Smaller Footprint

With an average lifespan of 15-20 years compared to 2.5 for portable vacuums, central vacuums have a much smaller waste footprint than portables. Plus, most central vacuums are made of metal and thus they can be easily recycled. Central vacuums not only save energy and improve indoor air quality, they are also the vacuums of choice to keep our environment cleaner for generations to come.