Troubleshoot a Central Vacuum with Low Suction

"Inlet & Pipe System Maintenance for Fasco

"Inlets can get worn out, lose contacts inside the hole, have a gasket or spring missing, and leak air. Parts are not available for central vacuum inlets; therefore, the entire inlet needs to be replaced. Good news is they are not expensive and it is not difficult to replace an inlet valve..."

Troubleshooting Your Central Vacuum

We don't install many central vac systems anymore. I find the Dyson battery-operated vacuum to be more effective (better pick up,) more convenient (no cords and no hoses,) and less expensive than a central system. You should be able to purchase one for each level of a two-story home and spend less than you would on a replacement power unit.

Thanks all. We ran a fishtape through the hose to make sure there was no clog there. Also tried the outlet on the power unit, which doesn't go through any pipes., and less suction there. And filters are no longer available. I think it is slowly dying. I do have a Dyson v10 Animal for quick clean up. But I can't imagine cleaning the whole house with it.

@M H - I've looked at the MD brand, I didn't want the top clean out because ours has to be mounted high on the wall to be sure of clearance in the garage. But I'll look again at it.

I wonder why few are put in new houses. I like the vent to outside and how quiet it is.

Thanks all!

A few years ago we replaced our cv with a Beam which empties from the bottom.

I am on my second Nutone central vac. The first one lasted a good 30+ years. My local Home Depot still carries bags and a few attachments and I have also purchased an extra hose (having one for each floor is really convenient), and various attachments online. There are tons of places that sell Nutone parts and accessories online. My cordless vac is OK for quick once overs but I feel like there's nothing that cleans like a central vac. It's too bad they have fallen out of favor.

Thank you - I will look at Beam and Nutone also.

We installed two Cyclo Vac units in 2021, one at each end of the house. They work well and empty from the bottom. I prefer to use the bags and not just have the dirt fill the container.

With all hardwood and tile floors throughout a large house and owning 3 dogs, there is no way I would want a house without the central vac. This time around we used hide-a-hose and I really like not having to store a hose.

We have been lucky that every home we have bought already had a central vac installed. In our previous house we added a guest house and I didn't bother adding a central vac. I regretted that decision every time I had to use a regular vacuum in there! When we built our retirement home there was no way I was going to skip the central vac this time around.

We have a Vacumaid which I've been very satisfied with. It empties from the bottom too.

Thank you - I'll research Cyclovac and Vacumaid.