In this section of Hometips for home improvement, we learn how to plan a central vacuum system.

You can either hire a central vacuum system installer or do it yourself. But before that you need to figure out the best places for vacuum receptacles for your own convenience ease of installation and cost.

The cost of the system will increase with each additional inlet. Additional inlets also increase the possibility of air leaks and this, in turn, will decrease the vacuum system’s suction capacity. While planning to install a central vacuum system, keep this in mind and try to keep the number of inlets to minimum.

It is recommended to have one or two centrally located inlet receptacles on each story so that every corner of each and every room is within the reach of the vacuum hose which is normally 30 feet in length. The best place for inlets is the base of the interior walls, but they can also be installed in floors if away from foot traffic or foot movement. Floor receptacles should have metal inlet covers so that they are strong enough.

Routing the PVC Tubing of a central vacuum system

In a single-story house with a basement or crawlspace, tubing can run under the floor and stub up a short distance into walls or directly serve floor inlets (by far the easiest method when retrofitting your house). Interior, non- bearing walls not supported by foundations or beams are generally easiest to penetrate from below.

Most of the two-story house has limited access below floors. In this case, tubing must route somewhere else. For e.g., the tubing can run vertically through laundry chutes, behind cabinets, exposed in closet corners, or they can be boxed-in at a room’s corner. Tubing can also run horizontally in an attic and drop down through a wall or into a closet or cabinet. Try to keep the tubing short, straight, and direct without any bend.

Now that you have worked out the best possible inlet locations, make sure they allow the vacuum’s wand to reach every corner and ceiling of the house. Keep in mind the furniture and obstructions. Take all the measurements to be 100% sure.

Plan to put the power unit /collection canister in the basement, utility room, garage, or in a location away from the living areas. Remember that the power unit requires good and proper ventilation for longer life and proper functioning and operation, hence, do not put the unit at a place where temperatures may get hot, such as in a furnace room, small closet, or attic.

→ Central Vacuum: How a Central Vacuum System Works

→ How to Install a Central Vacuum System

→ Central Vacuum System Buying Guide

→ iRobot Roomba Vacuuming Robot: How iRobot Roomba Works

→ Buy iRobot Roomba Vacuum Online from iRobot Roomba Online Shopping Store