Whole Home Vacuum advice

2 years ago

Does anyone have experience with Intervac or Vacuflo whole home vacuum systems? I'd love to hear if you have a whole home vacuum which one you chose and how do you like it? Or if you know anything about them any info is much appreciated.

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M H

2 years ago

When my house was first built, the builder put in a Vacuflo filtered cyclonic unit and the motor burnt out in about three years despite frequent filter cleanings and keeping the bin emptied. I'm fairly sure this was a builder grade model because I had heard great things about Vacuflo true cyclonic models and this had a horrible cartridge filter that constantly got covered in dog hair. Emptying it was awful. I ended up replacing it with a MD bagged unit and it's just as powerful (maybe more) but 10x easier to maintain and quieter. My parents have had a MD Silentmaster for almost 25 years and it has never been repaired. I've had this one for about 8 or 9 years now and no issues. The central vac guy made the bag enclosed so it takes one minute to swap out a new bag with an old one. My parents' Silentmaster has an open bag system that isn't quite as easy to change.

If I were you - stick with a brand that takes bags that are enclosed. I'd avoid anything bagless as you will dread having to empty it. Especially if there's a filter that also needs to be cleaned.

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Comments (6)

chispa
2 years ago
You need to search these forums for older threads as there is lots of information on central vac systems.

I have had a central vac system in all houses I have owned and wouldn't want to be without one. All those houses had hardwood floors throughout, tile in bathrooms and some hand-knotted wool/silk area rugs that should not have any type of beater brush used on them.

The latest house, we built in 2021 and I also used the Hide-a-hose system with the CV system. really like not to have to carry and store the hose.

We have CycloVac with bags and it works well. I have 3 dogs!
LG thanked chispa
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LG
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks for the advice!
worthy
2 years ago
See past discussions.

We installed central vacs in four previous builds. Powerful and emptying twice a year was great.

But dragging around those hoses not so much.

Current build is 83' wide, three storeys of living space requiring two central vacs. The only reason we're likely putting them in is they're "expected". Even though I forsee cordless vacs will be what we use.
Mrs Pete
2 years ago
Whole-house vacs used to make more sense when everyone had wall-to-wall carpet. Now that hardwood floors (or similar) are the rule of the day, they make less sense.
stuartontour
2 years ago
I have a whole house vac system. The house was built in 1979-1980, and it was a popular upgrade back then. The system works great, as its a big motor, but my housekeepers and myself HATE carrying around the hose/power head, so it literally never gets used. It also doesn't have built in power, so the power head needs to be plugged in with an extension cord attached to the hose. Very awkward. The hose and power head replacement cost more than a decent canister and upright, which are much more user friendly. Only my opinion, I could be wrong.