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Central vacuum cleaner
A central vacuum cleaner (also known as built-in or ducted) is a type of vacuum cleaner appliance installed into a building as a semi-permanent fixture. Central vacuum systems are designed to remove dirt and debris from homes and buildings by sending dirt particles through piping installed inside the walls to a collection container inside a remote utility space. The power unit is a permanent fixture, usually installed in a basement, garage, or storage room, along with the collection container. Inlets are installed in walls throughout the building that attach to power hoses and other central vacuum accessories to remove dust, particles, and small debris from interior rooms. Most power hoses have a power switch located on the handle.
Early steam-powered vacuum cleaners were mounted in a heavy carriage equipped with a long hose so they could be moved from one location to another, providing a specialized cleaning service by appointment. Stationary-powered vacuum cleaners were built-in and centralized, due to the large and heavy machinery needed to produce the required airflow. Their high cost restricted their installation to commercial and industrial locations.
The first introduction of a permanent system similar to a residential central vacuum cleaner was in the late 19th century. A ducted machine featuring copper tubes connected from a bellows chamber, typically located in the basement and extended to several locations throughout a building, was used in a select few homes. Because of the machine’s cost and weak dust-removal capabilities, only a few units were ever sold in the United States.
In 1869 Ives McGaffey patented the first portable vacuum cleaner, or “sweeping machine”. Steam power was replaced by electric motors, which were still too large and heavy for portable use, but gradually became smaller and more powerful.
By the 1930s, the development of small, powerful electric motors increased the popularity and availability of the portable vacuum cleaner, and diverted consumers from purchasing central cleaners.[citation needed]
By the early 1960s, the introduction of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) made a central vacuum system more affordable and popular in North America (especially Canada), by using PVC extruded pipe instead of metal tubing for the piping system inside the walls. Previously, more expensive metal tubing was used exclusively (and it may still be used for part or all of an installation, if required by building fire code regulations). Central vacuum systems also started to become popular among European consumers interested in their hygienic and convenience benefits.
By the 1990s, central vacuum systems gained popularity among real estate agents and home remodelers for the value they added to homes at resale. Allergists also played an important role in the growing popularity of central vacuum systems in the 1990s.[citation needed]
The suction power of a vacuum cleaner is calculated in airwatts (or air watts)—not to be confused with watts, which only refers to electrical power. The airwatt value relates to the airflow, the water lift, and power consumption. This datum is calculated as follows: P = 1/8.5 x F x S where P translates to the power in air watts; F is the airflow in CFM; and S for the water lift in inches. The standard air watt formula is from ASTM International (see document ASTM F558-21). The air watts indicate the motor's global performance, and thus the central vacuum's efficiency level.
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Central vacuum cleaner
A central vacuum cleaner (also known as built-in or ducted) is a type of vacuum cleaner appliance installed into a building as a semi-permanent fixture. Central vacuum systems are designed to remove dirt and debris from homes and buildings by sending dirt particles through piping installed inside the walls to a collection container inside a remote utility space. The power unit is a permanent fixture, usually installed in a basement, garage, or storage room, along with the collection container. Inlets are installed in walls throughout the building that attach to power hoses and other central vacuum accessories to remove dust, particles, and small debris from interior rooms. Most power hoses have a power switch located on the handle.
Early steam-powered vacuum cleaners were mounted in a heavy carriage equipped with a long hose so they could be moved from one location to another, providing a specialized cleaning service by appointment. Stationary-powered vacuum cleaners were built-in and centralized, due to the large and heavy machinery needed to produce the required airflow. Their high cost restricted their installation to commercial and industrial locations.
The first introduction of a permanent system similar to a residential central vacuum cleaner was in the late 19th century. A ducted machine featuring copper tubes connected from a bellows chamber, typically located in the basement and extended to several locations throughout a building, was used in a select few homes. Because of the machine’s cost and weak dust-removal capabilities, only a few units were ever sold in the United States.
In 1869 Ives McGaffey patented the first portable vacuum cleaner, or “sweeping machine”. Steam power was replaced by electric motors, which were still too large and heavy for portable use, but gradually became smaller and more powerful.
By the 1930s, the development of small, powerful electric motors increased the popularity and availability of the portable vacuum cleaner, and diverted consumers from purchasing central cleaners.[citation needed]
By the early 1960s, the introduction of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) made a central vacuum system more affordable and popular in North America (especially Canada), by using PVC extruded pipe instead of metal tubing for the piping system inside the walls. Previously, more expensive metal tubing was used exclusively (and it may still be used for part or all of an installation, if required by building fire code regulations). Central vacuum systems also started to become popular among European consumers interested in their hygienic and convenience benefits.
By the 1990s, central vacuum systems gained popularity among real estate agents and home remodelers for the value they added to homes at resale. Allergists also played an important role in the growing popularity of central vacuum systems in the 1990s.[citation needed]
The suction power of a vacuum cleaner is calculated in airwatts (or air watts)—not to be confused with watts, which only refers to electrical power. The airwatt value relates to the airflow, the water lift, and power consumption. This datum is calculated as follows: P = 1/8.5 x F x S where P translates to the power in air watts; F is the airflow in CFM; and S for the water lift in inches. The standard air watt formula is from ASTM International (see document ASTM F558-21). The air watts indicate the motor's global performance, and thus the central vacuum's efficiency level.