More Central Vacuum Information

Imperium Central Vacuum Time Machine

Today, Central Vacuum Stores introduced the all new Imperium Time Machine, the central vacuum with a built-in timer.  If you shop central vacuum systems you will find that motors are rated according to hours.  For example, a unit might be rated for 1000 hours.  This means that the motor in that unit is expected run for about 1000 hours. So, if you run your vacuum an hour a week then your central vacuum, rated at 1000 hours, should last around 19 years.  Well, the Time Machine takes the guessing out of how long your motor has run.  The timer on the front of the machine tells you exactly how many hours your system has been operating.  Also, included right on the Time Machine, under the timer,  is a list of maintenance suggestions to keep your system running top notch. The timer on our Time Machine is simple...no fancy gadgets...it just works.

Imperium Time Machine

Central Vacuum Muffler Gets "Pimped"

I love doing this blog, and the reason I love it is because of our customers.  They send us pictures of their installs, their dogs, their dogs helping with the installs, and the list goes on and on.  They do some of the cleverest things and then they email and send us pictures that highlight their accomplishments.  If you become a Central Vacuum Stores customer just know that you are part of a group of really fun, clever, savvy consumers. Recently, one of our clever customers, Alfredo, ordered our Imperium Industrial Muffler for his Beam central vacuum system that was just making too much noise.  I got this email from Alfredo today, along with a picture.  Enjoy....

I ordered the muffler for my central vac and "pimped" it out a little. Could not let it stay just drab white so... after a little Krylon paint... AHHH... sheer beauty.. Oh Yeah, the muffler toned down the high pitch to a comfortable level. A1A product. see the attached work of art pic..
Alfredo from Jacksonville

Here's the Imperium Industrial Muffler we sent to Alfredo....

 

 

 

 

And here's what Alfredo did with that muffler....

Central Vacuum is Best

In March of 2006, Roger and I were invited to the Cayman Islands to advise a customer on his central vacuum installation.  A.L. Thompson, owner of A.L.Thompson's Home Depot  in the Cayman Islands, was in the process of building a 15,000 square foot home.  The house was under construction when Hurricane Ivan hit the islands, leaving a path of destruction in it's wake.  The house survived, but Al said the hurricane revealed problems with his existing roof and so, mid construction, he had to re-roof the entire house. 

After a lengthy tour, Roger made some suggestions, and Al chose the Imperium CV15000.   This was my favorite central vac consultation ever, because the next day we were able to spend some time snorkeling. Recently Roger heard from Al.  He sent us a picture of his completed house and wanted to let Roger know that the central vacuum system is the best!  It is one of his favorite things in his new house, and there are a lot of  nice amenities in that house!

If you visit Grand Cayman, be sure to go by A.L.Thompson's Home Depot and as you tour the island keep an eye out for this incredible house. Thanks, Al, for letting us be a part of your project.

Hide-a-Hose Central Vacuum for Dogs

In an earlier post I shared from one of our customer's David C.  He had written to tell us about his Hide-a-Hose installation using our 2x2 adaptors.  David also mentioned how much his Newfoundland was enjoying the Pet Lover's Accessory Kit.  I said I would post pictures of David's dog if he sent them along...well, here  is one of my favorites.
   

This looks like one happy dog.  Thanks for the pictures, David.  Check out our Pet Lover's Accessory Page.  David's Newfoundland is our pet of the month.  Send us your pet's picture and we will feature him as our customer's pet of the month.

Pet Lover's Accessory Kit

Bionaire for Improved Indoor Air Quality

Central Vacuum Systems are the only 100% dust free way to clean, so many of our customers are very concerned about indoor air quality.  I wanted to recommend a site for those of you interested in clean air products.  Bionaire started in Montreal, Canada over twenty years ago is now a global success. Today, Bionaire® products can be found in over thirty countries worldwide. In addition, the Bionaire network of people can be found in nearly every corner of the world.  Bionaire features state of the art air cleaners, dehumidifiers, fans, heaters and humidifiers.  Take a look.  If indoor air quality in your home environment is important to you...I think you'll be impressed. 

Central Vacuum System for Pre-Plumbed Houses

From time to time we get callers who want help finishing their pre-plumbed central vacuum system.  This is one project that will improve the indoor air quality in your home while adding value to your house.  Your builder spent several hundred dollars to install that pipe in your home and you might as well take advantage of it.  If your house is pre-plumbed you could easily tackle this project in a few hours and the cost would be less than the cost of many portable vacuum brands.

If you are interested in completing your central vacuum system give us a call at 1-800-221-8227 or visit our comparison page to compare the units available.  If your house is pre-plumbed you may want to give us a call first so we can run you through a few steps before you purchase your unit.  That way you will make sure that all your electrical connections are good before you commit to purchase a central vacuum power unit.  We treat everyone as if they are our only customer, even if they are not our customer, hoping they will become our customer.

Central Vacuum comparison page

Installing a Central Vacuum System

If you are interested in installing a central vacuum system yourself then Central Vacuum Stores is the place to go for help.  We have been installing central vacuum systems in our local market for 28 years and have helped thousands of internet customers install their own system.  Today someone called the store asking for installation advice and he didn't even buy the stuff from us!  But you know what, we helped him.  We believe in treating every customer like they are our only customer, even if they aren't our customer, because then they will want to be our customer.  Call us for help at 1-800-221-8227, use the live chat on our website, or download our own installation manual.
Central Vacuum Installation Manual

We recently got this email from a customer we helped...
I was thinking this weekend that it would be good to share the whole process since I did a conversion that I was told could not be done. Also I like how the two part Imperium power unit ended up. It has so much power that if you leave a hose connected in another part of the house you may not notice the drop in suction if it is not on the same main line.  I have three and half feeds/lines into the filter unit.
Let me do a more complete write up and get it to you.
Bruce

We are anxious to hear the whole story of Bruce's central vacuum installation and we will publish it in this blog as soon as he sends it.

Hide a Hose Retractable Hose for Central Vacuum Systems

Roger and I visited the International Builder's Show in Orlando last week.  My feet are still sore!  The show is huge, occupying two buildings at the Orlando Convention Center.  We visited with several of our vendors while we were there, and spoke to some potential new vendors.  I'm sure I will be blogging more about that in the future.  One thing we noticed was that several manufacturers were showing their central vacuums with the Hide-a-Hose.  At Central Vacuum Stores we really love the Hide-a-Hose retractable hose system.  I have one in my house; Roger's assistant, Mary, has one in her house (in fact she has the first one we ever installed); our customer service manager, Debra, has one in her house, and the list goes on and on!  We sell them everyday to do-it-yourselfers so don't be afraid to try this installation.  Take a look at this video on YouTube or visit our website to learn more about the product.
Learn more about the Hide a Hose.

Central Vacuum Attachments

There are so many different central vacuum attachments available.  Sometimes you see an attachment  that appears to be just what you want, until you get it!  This week we had the privilege of having the president of Lindsay Manufacturing, Winston Lindsay,  in our store.  Lindsay is one of the larger central vacuum manufacturers in the U.S.  Winston's father, an electrical engineer,  founded the company in 1956.  Winston has an MBA with an undergraduate degree in Engineering Physics.  Often central vacuum companies have executives that have come from various industries and you wonder if they really understand the product and the market.   One thing that impresses me about Lindsay Manufacturing is everyone, from top level management on down, has an in depth knowledge of central vacuums and the central vacuum industry!

We were discussing the 22" floor tool attachment available in one of the new garage kits we are adding to our site.  Roger and I thought this was the greatest thing since sliced toast.  Winston was very diplomatic as he pointed out that we were entirely wrong about the effectiveness of this attachment.  It seems that as bare floor attachments exceed 14" in width they begin to loose the ability to pick up dust and debris at the ends of the tool.  So, by the time you get to the ends of a 22" floor tool, there is virtually no suction.  Well, that's why we asked, and we thought we probably needed to share that information with our readers.  We still have the garage set available, but you need to know it's limitations.  Basically, that 22" attachment will clean about the same as a 14" tool. 

Lindsay Manufacturing remains a family business with products sold throughout North America and Europe. We met up with Winston and some of his family members at the International Builder's Show in Orlando, Florida. I snapped this picture of Roger with Winston(on the far right). his son Win, and daughter, Natalie.   I probably need to mention that Lindsay manufactures the majority of our Imperium central vacuum units.  This is our flagship brand, and we appreciate the expertise behind each and every Imperium central vacuum unit they manufacture.

Take a look at our complete line of Imperium central vacuum power units.

Imperium Attachment Sets

Condo or Loft Compact Central Vacuum System

Roger and I were at the International Builder's Show in Orlando, Florida this week.  While we were there we had the chance to visit one of our vendor's, InterVac. I snapped this picture of Roger and InterVac's founder, Susan  Schlapkohl.  Susan and her husband, Peter, are responsible for the design of the InterVac central vacuum system, and it is an ingenious product for folks who, for whatever reason, cannot install a traditional central vacuum system.
If you live in a loft or condo and thought a central vacuum system was not possible, consider InterVac. InterVac manufactures a compact central vacuum system that installs in about 30 minutes without any pipes. It has the power of a traditional portable vacuum cleaner, with the convenience of a central vacuum system. While the cost is considerably less than a high end portable vacuum these units all have hepa filtration. If you are concerned about contaminants in your living space you will be excited to learn that  InterVac is sold in Europ and is ROHS compliant. "The RoHS Directive stands for "the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment". This Directive bans the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants."

InterVac central vacuum systems are also perfect for motor homes and boats, and the price point is really great! 

View Installation Video

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