Dec 23, 2021
The Cleaning Revolution — 6 Unexpected Benefits Of Central Vacuums & Why Every Home Should Have One
Did you know that the first “central vacuum” was powered by a bellows chamber?
It was a far cry from the powerful machines we use today, and no surprise that they never really sold well.
Back in the 19th century though, it was the best that technology could offer.
Now, central vacuums are high-tech, high-suction, super cleaning machines that are invisibly installed in many homes — with a surprising number of benefits over portable designs.
You might think the difference is mainly in whether you have to carry a canister around — and while it is great to only have to carry a hose, that doesn’t even make today’s list.
The benefits of central vacuums are perhaps unsurprising once they’ve been explained, but for most people, it never crosses their minds.
Here are just a few:
Have you ever started up your vacuum and had a big puff of dust shoot out?
It’s not uncommon, and even if you keep your filters well cleaned, lots of small particles are going to shoot right back out after you suck them up.
Studies have shown that central vacuums can have a hugely beneficial impact on your indoor air quality — because the allergens and dust you vacuum up aren’t immediately expelled back into the room.
2. Environmentally Friendly
Not something many people consider when buying a vacuum, but maybe they should.
Central vacuums tend to last significantly longer than portable systems, and they don’t require the frequent changing of tiny bags or filters either.
In this case, scaling things up to a larger built-in unit instead of a portable is actually more efficient, requiring less manufacturing and replacement.
3. Ultimate Power
Every time you see a commercial for a portable vacuum, it talks about how much suction power there is — as if it could even compare to a central vac.
Those tiny portable motors can’t hold a candle to a built-in unit, and it shows in how much dirt and debris you can suck up.
4. Everything-Proof
There are a lot of things a typical portable vacuum can’t clean up.
If you’ve ever tried to suck up a pile of drywall dust and had it come shooting right back out, then you know what I mean.
Built-in vacuums can handle that no problem — and many units can also handle small metal debris, glass shards, or other items that would be dangerous to go near with a portable vacuum.
One of the biggest benefits of built-ins is that they can actually help to get rid of noxious smells.
How well they’ll remove odors depends on the unit, but because they don’t recirculate the air right out the other end, any built-in vacuum can help with nasty smells more than a portable unit.
6. Anytime, Anywhere
If you’re like me, you want to clean when you feel like it, not when it’s convenient for everyone else.
That’s where central vacuums can really shine because all the noise is happening somewhere else, usually in your basement or garage.
You can clean up while the TV is on, and still hear what’s happening, while the kids are studying, or even in the middle of the night.
There are lots of benefits to central vacuums, these are just some of the more unexpected ones.
It’s surprising they’re not in more homes already, especially since they’ve become so much more affordable.
It seems like all the new construction jobs have been installing them, which means the future is going to be a lot cleaner, but they’re also a good idea for existing homes.
They aren’t as difficult to install as many people think, and they can make a world of difference in your air quality, noise level, and comfort while cleaning.
We may not have robot house cleaners any time soon — but that doesn’t mean technology can’t make our cleaning a whole lot easier.
