More Central Vacuum Information

Central Vacuum Bags: Multi-Purpose

At Central Vacuum Stores we carry a complete line of paper bags for central vacuum systems.  One of the most popular paper bags for central vacuum systems is the Nutone 391, we sell them by the pack or by the case.  Central vacuum paper bags have come a long way over the past several years.  Many brands now offer choices with hepa filtration.  Regardless of the brand, if your central vacuum system takes paper bags, be sure to check our website. Just use the links below.

Bags By Brand

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Recently my daughter Dawn discovered a new use for central vacuum bags.  She and I have an  organic garden.(This is my grandaughter Audrey, smiling over our most recent attempt)  I have to admit the garden has been the source of much frustration. Organic, means organic fertilizer and no pesticides. As we pick bugs off of plants Roger keeps saying, "Can you say Seven Dust?" 

Last year I asked Roger for a composter for my birthday.  When he and I went to buy it the kid behind the counter looked at us kind of funny when I said it was my birthday present.  "Well, I said, at our age we've decided to buy a composter instead of coffins."

Since we got the composter we are always looking for ways to perfect our mix.  Last week Dawn found this article about what is good to use for compost. The article suggested using the contents from your vacuum bag for compost!  I know, I thought the same thing, "YUCK"  But really, it's true.  Here's a link to the article. Vacuum Bags Make Good Compost.

 

Central Vacuum Schedule 40 Plumbing or Vacuum Pipe

This past year Roger was granted a patent from the U.S. Patent Office for his 2x2 adapter.  We've sold over 70,000 of them and our customers love them.  The 2x2 adapter allows you to use regular schedule 40 plumbing pipe(that you can buy at Home Depot or Lowes) for your central vac system.

The industry standard is central vac pipe, and manufacturer's recommend you use central vac pipe.  The primary reason for that recommendation is because there is a need for a standard in the industry so that inlets and pipe are interchangeable between brands.  However, practically speaking, no matter what anyone tells you, there is no difference (except the diameter) between vacuum pipe and plumbing pipe  We have read in some places that vacuum pipe is smoother inside, and so we have offered the Central Vacuum Challenge...call us and we'll send you a free piece of ASTM certified central vacuum pipe. Once you receive your free piece of vacuum pipe, take it to your local Home Depot and compare it to schedule 40 plumbing pvc pipe.  You tell us if there is any difference.

We'll be happy to sell you ASTM certified vacuum  pipe, and we do sell tons of it.  Here's a picture of the pipe we stock at our warehouse in St. Petersburg, Florida. 
Actually, we make more money selling the pipe, but at Central Vacuum Stores we are all about choices and we want our customers to have the same choices we have offered our industrial customers for years.  For more information about the 2x2 adapter check out our website. 

Central Vacuums for Restaurants

I don't think there is any business where cleanliness is as important as in a restaurant...well, maybe the medical field, and clean rooms, and dentist offices...anyway...I think we can all agree cleanliness  is very important in restaurants!  We've been installing central vacuum systems in homes and businesses for decades, including restaurants.  We have done work all over the state of Florida for Denny's and Bob Evans as well as several other local chains. This experience has helped us put together a Central Vacuum Package Solution for Restaurants.

In this interactive "build-a-kit" for central vacuum systems you will find everything you need to install a central vacuum system in a restaurant.  We've included a 5 gallon interceptor that is a necessity in a restaurant environment, because of wet and damp pickup.  We've also added an all metal set of high quality 1.5 inch attachments. 

If you are considering a central vacuum system in your restaurant, take a look.  These kits are great, because, just like home-owners, you can usually retro-fit a central vacuum in your existing establishment. 

While you are looking at our Restaurant Central Vacuum Package Solutions, you may want to take a look at the Aqua-Air.  This is a unique central vacuum system that will actually hook up to your plumbing and self-flush the dirt and debris you pick up down the drain.  The Aqua-Air is slightly more complicated than a traditional central vacuum system, but they can still be retro-fitted in most applications.  If you are interested in the Aqua-Air, just call us at 1-800-221-8227 and one of our experts will be happy to discuss the product with you.

Restaurant Central Vacuum Package Solution

Aqua-Air Wet Dry Central Vacuum

Central Vacuum Adapter for Schedule 40 PVC Pipe

Just a very quick update...we've received our patent on our 2x2 adapters that allow you to use schedule 40 pvc pipe for your central vacuum installation.  We've sold over 70,000 of these adapters, and to date not one complaint.  Also, as far as we know, not one of the thousands of jobs using these adapters with schedule 40 plumbing pipe has been coded or denied approval by a building inspector.  Those are pretty good stats. I also have some white papers and letters from manufacturers in the central vac industry verifying that schedule 40 plumbing pvc is a viable alternative to vacuum tubing, and I'll be posting those in a later blog.

We also took some time to call many building departments across the country and they all approved the use of plumbing pvc for central vacuum systems.  Some even laughed when we asked the question...guess it's a stupid question!  Here's a link to a site that will allow you to find the building department number in your area....before you install, call them and ask for yourself.  Don't forget, we've got a P.E. with structural engineering experience on staff and she is our "go to" on these issues.  (Just a free piece of advice, she says to always be nice to those building inspectors because they can really hold up your job if you make them unhappy.)

Finally, if you would prefer, and tons of customers do, to install vacuum tubing, we sell boat loads of that, too.  Our pipe is stamped ASTM F2158 certified for central vacuum installation. 

If you are wondering how the 2x2 adapter works, Roger and I made this homemade video for YouTube to explain our 2x2 adapter kit to customers. 

Central Vacuum DIY Installation

 
Central Vacuum Stores is located in sunny, St. Petersburg, Florida...However, if you kept up with the news, you know that we have had record breaking low temperatures this January.(Just look at the ice on our oranges!) It was actually in the teens at our Riverhouse in Hernando County, Florida.  As cold as it was here, we are fully aware that most of our customers, spread across the United States, endured temperatures that frighten us Floridians. 

A few weeks ago, a customer from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin (where the temperature dropped to 5 below zero this month) was in our store. (I suspect he was in Florida trying to escape the weather in Wisconsin!).  Our experts had offered support as he tackled a do-it-yourself central vacuum installation project. He chose the Imperium CV7800 for his power unit, and used our U.S. Patented 2x2 adapters for his installation.  He was so thrilled with the job, while he was in Florida he came into the store and brought in a disc with pictures he had taken.  We have a big crush on all our awesome customers, and I love to blog about their triumphs.  So without further delay, here is a youTube video we put together using photos of the job from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin...

Central Vacuum Installation Help is a Phone Call Away

The other day Roger was on the phone with a customer who needed some central vacuum installation help.  This isn't unusual.  Even though our website has a knowledge base with extensive central vacuum installation help, from how to lay your pipe to installing inlets; and even though we send an installation manual with every central vac system we sell, each house is unique, and sometimes customers need a little extra installation assistance. As Roger was talking this fellow through the process he said, "You'll be able to do this, it's not rocket science,"  to which the customer replied, "I am a rocket scientist!"  Goes to show ya, I guess even rocket scientists need installation help from time to time!

If you are installing, or planning to install a central vacuum system, give us a call at 1-800-221-8227 or use our online chat service.  Don't be shy!  We have seven phone lines dedicated to answering your questions, and the experts that answer our phones have over 120 years of combined central vacuum experience. Sometimes a quick phone call just to clarify your installation process can save you tons of time...read this recent email from a customer who was installing an intercom system and waited to call....

Everything was just as I expected. This was a do it yourself upgrade from an old M&S 220 system to the DMC3. My only mistake was not calling or using the available chat session. I replaced the master thinking that it would work with the old room stations. If I would have asked I would have known to order new room stations. ... Long story short I should have availed myself of the help and it would have been a flawless upgrade. I will do business with Central Vacuum again.

Thank you my system works Great!

Joe

Even if you bought your system somewhere else, call us at 1-800-221-8227 if you need help. 

You see, we treat everyone like our customer, even if they aren't our customer, because we want them to be our customer.

Central Vacuum Installation for Do-It-Yourselfers

If you are looking for advice for your do-it-yourself central vacuum installation, Central Vacuum Stores can give you all the help you need.  We've got an extensive DIY knowlege base that includes installation guides, troubleshooting tips, and so much more. 

In addition, our most valuable tool for do-it-yourselfers is our trained experts waiting by the phones to answer your questions. Brad Prince, a long time Central Vacuum Stores employee and installer contributed this article to our blog....

I Don’t Get Out Much

By: Brad Prince

About three years ago, I was brought in from the outside service and install department to work in the office as a tech support and sales guy for the web site.  Since I began offering tech support to our online customers, I don't get out to do installations too often. Every once in a while I will be asked by our service scheduler, Chhaya, to pick up an intercom or vac service call in our local area (Tampa Bay). However, it has been a long time however since I have ventured out to do an actual central vacuum rough in.

One of our service techs recently took some time off due to minor surgery and so I was called on to help out on an outside job.  It was a central vac rough-in for a Hide A Hose (H.A.H.) installation. The job involved a remodel that included a room and kitchen addition, so  it had to be done in three stages.

My work was the first stage. I would prepare the rest of the house for the vacuum feed for two of the Hide a Hose valves and ready the system for the third Hide a Hose valve. This third valve would be in the kitchen and would service the family room, living room and kitchen.

One of my tasks was to run the tubing that would accept the retracting hose.  I ran that tubing for 27 ft. before introducing it to the trunk line with a sweep tee. That tubing and the main trunk line was stubbed to what would be the attic over the kitchen. Later, when that portion of the house was ready, one of our install techs would finish the job using that connection.

Generally an installation would move right along but I did find this job to be a little taxing. First, the job called for work on a 12 ft. ladder, which slowed down the process. Also, being a Hide a Hose installation, the job was a little more complicated, plus it was a typical sub tropical day in Florida with about 97% humidity.  I’m not complaining, mind you, I enjoy doing this work. But this particular job reminded me that I give installation advice to many of our customers who call in and purchase this type of equipment, and often time our customers are tackling central vacuum installation projects that far exceed this one in difficulty.

I guess what amazes me, after being out on this job, is that our customers are doing these installations themselves, and doing them in a professional manner! Kudos to all of you and I hope your installation and the satisfaction it brings gives you a great feeling of accomplishment. It does me, every time I wrap up an install and turn on that hose.

Central Vacuum System Installation and Planning Assistance

If you are planning a DIY central vac installation you are not alone.  Thousands of people across the country tackle this project every year.  At Central Vacuum Stores, we've been installing systems in new and existing construction for almost 30 years.  We have trained experts standing by to talk you through any installation project. 

If you are just beginning to plan your system and have questions, give us a call at 1-800-221-8227 or if you want us to look at your plans and help you with the design, just email them to [email protected].  Faith Elliott is available to look at your plans and give you expert advice on a level not offered by many central vacuum companies.  Faith's grandfather started Central Vacuum Stores and she has worked in the business since she was a teenager.  She has expertise that comes from sales and installation experience.  In addition, Faith recently passed her P.E.(Professional Engineer) exam and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Florida.  She can look at your plans and tell you the best way to install a system.

And as always, at Central Vacuum Stores we'll help anyone with their installation, even if they aren't our customer, yet.  We treat everyone as if they were our customer because we want them to become our customer.

Check out our online installation guide.

Do-It-Yourself Central Vacuum Installation Photos

The team of experts at Central Vacuum Stores is committed to helping the do-it-yourselfer successfully complete their central vacuum project.  Sometimes our customers are so proud of their central vacuum installation, they send photos to share on our blog.  We assure them if they send us photos, we'll publish them on the blog. So feel free to send photos of your job and we'll publish them here.  Here's a big blog shout-out to Leslie H. who sent us an email and the following photos of their progress...

"We are building a new home, we got the electrician to bore the holes thru the floor and rough in the units before drywall for us.

When the house is finished, we will finish up the plumbing in the basement, and install the unit. Probably in a few weeks we will be back for the vacuum unit and floor tools.

I have attached some photos of the rough-in work.

Les"

Central Vacuum Installation Help: Change is Here!

At Central Vacuum Stores there is one thing you can be sure will never change...We are going to keep changing.  The Internet is growing and changing every day...if we don't keep up, then our customers suffer.  For the past nine years we have offered expert central vacuum installation advice free of charge to anyone that asks.  Some companies charge for consultations, and others only give tech advice to their customers.  At Central Vacuum we treat everyone like they are our only customer because we want them to be our customer. This isn't going to change! 

However, we have taken our expert advice up a notch.  As always, we have 29 years of installation experience behind our answers to your questions...but now we have a professional to help you plan a central vacuum system.  Faith Ambrose Elliott, a structural engineer, has joined our team to help with your installation plans. 

Faith is an engineering graduate from Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida.  She has been working as a structural engineer for almost five years, and stands ready to review your plans and make sure you are optimizing your installation.  You can read more about Faith on our website and request a free consultation.