By Grant Olewiler

Why is it that more than 65 percent of the CE Pro 100 companies are not offering central vacuums? Is it the ugly step-child the industry only offers when it’s absolutely necessary? Is the category not sexy enough? Is the price point too low to include in a package?

Our company participated in a recent CE Pro 100 Summit and even offered a free vacuum system for each of the participants. Yet, they still didn’t pursue the offer.

How do you reconcile this with regular statements from industry leaders that claim that central vacuums are one of their most important category products?

It’s time for the industry to wake up. Maybe you’ll never get excited about selling vacuum cleaners, but you should have a proper perspective of this as a “must have” item.

In Canada every home has the central vacuum pipe-work automatically installed during construction. This year in the U.S. a paltry 145,000 central vacuums are projected to be installed, according to Appliance Magazine. That’s pathetic compared to the over 12 million portable vacuums sold.

Central vacuums have been clinically proven to provide one of the greatest health benefits for allergy and asthma patients because the air is exhausted outside the home. The aging population loves the lightweight convenience and versatility, especially in multi-level homes. The product fits the green initiative perfectly with tremendous efficiency.

Get Educated

So why doesn’t the average CE pro install them? I believe the acceptance of this product centers around education and information.

The major gaps in knowledge are related to the profit potential, ease of sale and installation and technical aspects. No one wants to add a category that will contain a huge learning curve, but central vac offers one of the easiest entry pathways.

Profit Potential

A central vacuum installation in a 3,500-square-foot home sells for about $2,500 with about $800 in component costs in the U.S. A pro should be able to complete the installation in less than eight hours. Do the math. The quick-added profit is hard to argue with.

We are told regularly that dealers love the central vacuum because it does not require any tweaking after you leave the home. In fact the accolades for the central vac are higher than most other installed devices. The central vacuum is often what brings in the referrals of new clients.

Ease of Sale

Matt Panter of Waco, Texas-based Panter Home Theater received an Internet referral for a Silent Master Central Vacuum on George Bush’s home and ended up doing over $30,000 of electronics because of the quality of the lead. The central vacuum can be your entrance into projects you never knew existed.

Upon gaining the clients’ trust on any one of your trades, the add-on sales are far easier.

Ease of Installation

I believe this is the major barrier keeping CE pros out of the C-Vac market. Having exhibited at 12 CEDIA Expos and almost all EHX events, I’ve had the dealers come up to me excited about selling central vacs but lost with the installation. New or existing construction projects are actually quite easy with the aid of training manuals and videos. Or subcontract out the installation to other experts in the area who would love the additional work. They can often assist with ongoing maintenance as well.

Technical Aspects

“CFM,” “waterlift” and “airwatts” are all Greek to the average integrator. Take an hour to browse the thousands of educational pages. Over 12,000 product reviews there can help you understand what the clients appreciate and what they don’t like. And if you can’t find an answer, technicians can respond to your e-mails.

Don’t let a lack of education keep you from adding this great category to your package of products. Give central vacuums an opportunity to prove themselves and you’ll find a bright spot in these tough times. The market for existing home central vacuum installations is unbelievable and now is an ideal time for you to educate yourself on it.

Come out to California and I’ll train you myself!

There are essentially three major options for pipe choices for installing a central vacuum: Plumbing Pipe (such as schedule 40 PVC), Flexible Hose, and Vacuum Tubing designed specifically for central vacuums. Herein please find the advantages and disadvantages of each:

Plumbing Pipe: This installation would include standard plumbing pipe that is used in the construction of homes for carrying waste water or even supply water. Generally it has an inside dimension (ID) of slightly greater than 2” (50 mm) and is available in 10 foot or 20 foot (3-7 meter) sections.

The advantage is that this pipe is readily available in most countries and can be found at local hardware and plumbing stores. It has a thicker wall and is generally inexpensive as it is mass-produced for various applications.

The disadvantage is that the interior of this pipe is not very critical to the manufacturing process. Generally it is assumed that it is carrying water which weight will easily push any obstructions through the pipe. The wall thickness varies greatly and the joint between the pipe and the fittings normally leaves rough transition points where stiff objects can easily lodge. Because the pipe is also fairly thick, it is normally cut with a chop-saw or hack saw and the edge of the cut normally results in a crooked and/or rough finish. This too creates a strong potential of debris getting stuck. Some retailers have offered a transition fitting for this pipe to mate with central vacuum pipe but one must always be extremely careful when transitioning from a larger pipe back down to a smaller pipe at it will increase the potential for obstructions. No known USA manufacturers of central vacuums recommend this pipe for central vacuum applications and it is not an acceptable standard for installation based upon IAPMO or ASTM F2158 standards.

Flexible Hose: This option was attempted in the early 1960’s with central vacuums and was soon abandoned as a disaster. This method employs a 2” (50mm) flexible hose in lieu of the fittings and elbows in the system. Currently this flexible hose is only used within the first few feet of VacPan locations to allow for more accurate installation capabilities. The hose currently is available in two styles; one as a vinyl material with a wire reinforcement and the other as a more rigid PVC material. Both exhibit the issues listed below.

The advantage is that the installer can reduce his inventory of fittings and the complexity of the installation process. He would simply cut short pieces of the flexible tube any time the installation requires a bend. Some installers have even proposed running the entire system in flexible hose except where one pipe intersects another to add it into the flow. The cost savings is mainly achieved by reducing the skill required for the installer to properly install the system; having a solid knowledge of proper installation techniques.

The disadvantage is that this flexible piping adds a tremendous amount of friction loss to the system. The air bounces as it passed the ridges of the pipe that are intended to flex when the hose is bent. Also in short radius turns, the propensity for a clog greatly increases as sharp pieces of debris could easily lodge in the corrugations of the flexible pipe. This pipe is often much thicker walled to allow for the absorption of the radius of the bends and thus this ledge is accentuated and the smaller diameter of the pipe further increases friction loss. This “ledge” is where debris and long objects can permanently lodge. Because of the unique structure of this pipe, it cannot be cut with a pipe cutter but rather only a saw, again creating additional opportunity for problems. All of this friction loss results in a major decrease in the useable AirWatts of the system. No known USA manufacturers of central vacuums recommend this pipe for central vacuum applications and it is not an acceptable standard for installation based upon IAPMO or ASTM F2158 standards.

Vacuum Tubing: This pipe is made specifically for the central vacuum industry and almost all manufacturers adhere to a strict guideline established by American Standard of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Ruling F2158. This standard was developed by pipe manufacturers, central vacuum manufacturers, installers, and consumers as a means to build consistency into the manner that central vacuums are installed. Most municipalities in the USA have adopted this as a part of the Uniform Building Code (UBC) and building inspectors in these regions have a right to reject any central vacuum installation that does not meet this standard or have this value stamped on the pipe and fittings. This pipe maintains a very concise wall thickness and rigidity to allow for maximum airflow through the system.

The advantage is that it is specifically designed to minimize the potential for clogs in the system. Its thinner wall allows for cost savings but more importantly it exactly matches the thickness of the hub of the fittings; almost creating a bob-sled run inside the pipe wherein there are no potential gaps or crevices. The thin pipe can easily be cut with a special plastic tubing cutter to obtain a precise flat surface each and every time and professional installers also use a pipe reamer to insure that the pipe-to-fitting transitions will not present any possibility of restriction. The thinner wall also bonds more easily to the fittings without the aid of any PVC primers. All currently know back up plates in the industry are designed to fit this size pipe whereas schedule 40 pipes require a special adapter. As of the date of this publication, every central vacuum manufacturer is recommending solely the use of this type of piping over any other of the options.

The disadvantage is that this pipe is not readily available at the local hardware store or plumbing supply house. Because of its limited production, the freight expense to obtain this pipe has become a major cost as part of the system. Countries where central vacuums are not manufactured require even greater costs to import the pipe as the pipe product is not even produced in their country. Some retailers have begun to suggest that the do-it-yourselfer should use one of the other options mainly because it is difficult for even the retailer to handle and work with storing the pipe. In the entire scope of the cost, an average installation may only incur a few dollars of additional cost for the correct pipe.

Conclusion: All central vacuum manufacturers recommend using the proper Vacuum Tubing for very logical reasons.

MD Manufacturing is proud to announce the release of the new Flo-Master M60 Central Vacuum! Just over a foot tall, this compact unit is absolutely perfect for any tight space or modest application. Here are just a few ideas for an M60 installation:

- Kitchen for VacPan, VacnSeal, Vroom
- Media room addition
- Fits in cabinet, stairwell, crawl space, closet
- New and retrofit RV installations

The RV vacuum boasts 453 Airwatts, which is quite impressive for such a small unit. MD Manufacturing also provides 3 types of installation and attachment kits with this unit (Basic, Deluxe and Electric). This not only makes installation in most small applications easy, but it also makes the vacuum the most effective when in use, especially when it is paired with the Stealth electric brush.
To learn about the whole Flo-Master central vacuum family including the M60 RV vacuum, visit the Flo-Master web site or view this PDF.

Have you ever wondered how much energy your central vacuum uses in stand-by mode per year? It is a simple calculation with a pleasant outcome.

MD unit transformers draw 16 milliamps. Multiply that times the voltage (120) times 24 hours and you should find around .046 Kw.

Let’s say that your electrical rates are $.14 per kilowatt. At that rate, an MD system costs about $2.35/year. This is the total cost of “ghost” power for the unit to remain in the ready position.  If you desire to conserve this energy, the most effective means is to change the electrical outlet for the central vacuum to one that has a switch on the plug. This way, you can turn the unit power on and off whenever you desire to use the low voltage system. If you were building a home and wanted to plan for this conservation, you would locate this switch in the closet where you intend to store the central vacuum hose. Each time you grab the hose you would switch the switch “on” and then the low voltage portion of the inlets would be activated. When you are done vacuuming you would put the hose away and flip the switch “off.”

While the major markets of the world are experiencing tremendous turmoil; especially in the construction sector, many smaller nations are finding this as an excellent time to welcome new products and construction amenities.

Hernan Guembas, President of Aspiratek S.A.C of Miraflores, Peru recently found out how excited his new market was for central vacuums.  Hernan entered an M.D. Manufacturing Central Vacuum unit into Peru’s recent Trade Show contest for the Most Innovative Product of the Year.  “Peru’s interest in central vacuums is phenomenal,” said Hernan, “Architects, builders and homeowners all were thrilled with the concept of healthy cleaning.”

Peru’s annual EXCON 2008, the country’s largest construction trade show, is organized by CAPECO, the Peruvian Chamber for Construction in Peru and attracted more than 50,000 visitors this year.  Hernan, a newer dealer of M.D. Manufacturing products knew the product would sell itself in a market which is quickly adapting to North American appliances.

Product launches into new markets are not easy but Hernan and his staff intended to make as grand of an early impression on the Peruvian market as possible.  For his efforts, the show rewarded him with the “Best of the Show” Award, the show’s top honor!  Although the President of Peru was hoping to present the award, it was administered by Mr. Enrique Cornejo, Minister of Housing and Mr. Lelio Balarezo Young, President of the Peruvian Chamber of Construction.

Installations in the country are far different than North American construction because of the concrete block walls rather than wood or steel frame construction.  Hernan’s company, a long-time HVAC contractor, was well versed in the proper construction techniques and has easily adapted to the demands of the design.

Congratulations to Hernan Guembes and his staff at Thermotrol / Aspiratek  for introducing Central Vacuums to Peru and having the Most Innovative Construction Product of the Year in Peru in 2008!

Picture 1 (above):
Mr. Jorge Guembes. Mr. Hernan Guembes P, Mr. Hernan Guembes F. (My Father), Mr. Alfonso Guembes, Director

Picture 2 (right):
Mr. Lelio Balarezo Young (President of the Peruvian Chamber of Construction CAPECO), Mr. Enrique Cornejo, Minister of Housing, Mr. Hernán Guembes P., Mr. Jorge Guembes, on the prizing ceremony at the inauguration of EXCON 2008.

The new Hide-a-Hose system is becoming quite popular, and for good reason. It conveniently stores the hose inside of the vacuum tubing for easy access whenever the user wants to vacuum. We have written before on the issue and identified the pros and cons of the concept. Today we heard of a potential problem that can occur in the installation and a few simple warnings may avoid major headaches for you should you install these Hide-a-Hose systems.

First, if you run pipe up into an attic, you must insure that the attic remains below 147 degrees Fahrenheit. Any temperature above this tends to break down the viscosity of the pipe and it gets quite pliable This is true for any central vacuum system with pipes in the attic. The temptation; though, with Hide-a-hose is to run the pipes as a raceway tied up to the underside of the joists; suspended in the attic. Here the heat intensifies and thus problems can begin.

The pipe truly must be supported well for the hose to be able to easily slide in and out of the pipe. Looping it from every five feet of rafters will not make it rigid enough. The pipe, exposed to high temperatures will have a tendency to warp and sag and then fittings can come loose. You must also use quality pipe that has the ASTM 2158 approval stamped on it.

Another issue is that you should not place the Hide-a-Hose sweep 90’s too close to each other. We have heard reports that this makes it harder to suck the hose back into the walls. If you need to use fittings, you should make a “square-like” pipe design as opposed to an long oval.

Lastly, we are seeing Hide-a-Hose advocates such as HP Products recommend a high waterlift designed motor in the vacuum system used to operate the system. We certainly agree with them on this issue and would advocate our Model S4, S44, S5, M45, M85, M92, J, K, G23, and Model SV.

We are often asked why MD does not recommend or sell the Double Wye fitting that is commonly seen other places in the industry. This fitting is quite convenient for attaching two runs together to then flow into the power unit but unfortunately it has also too often been installed improperly. Because many central vacuum installers only work at the trade part-time and are unfamiliar with proper installation techniques, they end up producing systems very susceptible to clogs. Here are the two most common errors committed with this fitting:

To properly make this connection we used a 45 Wye (#509), 90 Sweep Spigot, a short piece of pipe, and a 45 Ell (#504)

While it may not be as easy to install as a television or telephone, installing a central vacuum is a pretty simple process. Normal houses usually call for about 1 inlet per each 600 sq. ft. of living space. And don’t forget that the vacuum hose should reach far enough to be able to clean the cabinets, closet areas, tile flooring, entryways, and even the outside decks. An inlet is not necessary for every room in the house. Having a 30 ft. long hose, one inlet placed at the beginning of a hallway normally allows reach into two or three rooms. Place an inlet towards the base of the stairs if needed. Also, make certain that the inlets are not placed behind doors, furniture, or other hard to reach places.

Instead of using a hacksaw, cut the PVC pipe with a tube cutter. Be certain to get rid of all burrs from the pipe. Glue the male end of the pipe only in order that there are no ridges inside of the pipe run. Utilize wide sweep elbows all the way through the pipe run with the exception being the tight sweep elbow directly behind the inlet valves. Use two 45° bends for any offset jogs instead of two 90° bends. The primary runs can be inserted either above the house (the attic) or else under the house, provided that attention is made to trim down fittings wherever it is possible.

We at MD Mfg. suggest that homes greater than 5000 sq. ft. obtain a 110 volt power unit that is greater than 20 AMPS. Having more than one unit is only ever necessary when multiple users will be operating the units at the exact same time. New SuperValves or ElectraValves have both the 24 volt activation switch and also 110 volts for operating an electric power brush. You will need to have an electrician wire these vales into a close-by electrical outlet. The two conductor CL2 (18-22 gauge) low-voltage wires need to be tied to the piping every 5ft. They can be spliced together or be brought all the way back to the central vacuum unit. Consult your local building code regulations for the requirement of steel piping to penetrate the firewall if the central vacuum unit is situated inside of the garage. The majority of central vacuum manufacturers now carry steel piping and fittings.

During the assembly process, temporary plaster guards will safeguard the inside of the piping and the inlet valve extensions will also be much better off if the wall ends up being thicker than originally expected. Verify whether or not your manufacturer suggests that you vent the exhaust. And be sure it is not located in an area that will create exhaust problems. If the system has a good filtration system, it will probably not need venting at all. 

Tackling the central vacuum installation process in existing homes is nothing to be afraid of! This job can be very easy. During your installation, make sure to employ closets, soffits, pantries, return air ducts, and any other hidden spaces that might be useful in getting the job done.

Who would have ever thought that the VacPan concept would have gained such great popularity? Most long-term central vacuum installers initially abhorred the idea because they envisioned the headaches associated with installation, but homeowners decisively created a fantastic market for new alternative uses for the central vacuums. Why, some homeowners have even installed central vacuum systems without a hose; only using VacPans!

Introducing VacnSeal
VacnSeal promises to be the next step after VacPan! This patented novel product combines the convenience of a central vacuum with a food preservation system. Simply install it under a kitchen counter or in a cupboard and connect it to the existing central vacuum system via standard 2” tube or the conveniently available ½” tubing. The homeowner simply flips the arm down, places their Ziploc baggies of food under the nozzle and give the VacnSeal a gentle tug. Seal the baggie between the thumb and forefinger while removing the baggie from the suction arm and foods are conveniently preserved. The suction arm then folds back up under the counter until its next use. Yes, there exists many other countertop food-sealing devices but VacnSeal is the only one to use the central vacuum to eliminate noise and save counter space. It also the only one that will work with standard freezer bags.

“We believe 80-90% of all homes will desire this added benefit” states Gary Hughes, inventor of the device for M.D. Manufacturing, Inc. Gary thought of the idea after observing his wife suck air out of Ziploc bags by using a drinking straw. After two years of careful research, the VacnSeal will be introduced for the first time to the central vacuum market at the VDTA Trade Show in Las Vegas, February28th through March 3rd. In fact, the first 300 companies to provide MD Manufacturing with their business card will actually receive a free sample.

Storing FoodsThe life-giving oxygen we all breathe is vital for all life to exist. Unfortunately, oxygen also has a degrading effect on food and promotes micro-organism growth that helps to ruin food when stored. These micro-organisms are responsible for many problems including disgusting fuzz on food, miserable smells or tastes, and slimy textures. By removing all the air possible within reason and the moisture it contains, these microorganisms stand a much poorer chance of surviving. Mold, reduced nutritional value, bad flavor, and waste are a result of storing unsealed food in our refrigerators and pantries. All of us have tasted stale crackers, chips, cereals, seen moldy cheese, and more. Vacuum packaging with the VacnSeal system will keep your foods fresher longer, especially in areas with high humidity - VacnSeal guarantees it!

Value
Do you realize the cost of foods that are discarded due to inadequate packaging? Add to that the cost of traveling to the store to purchase a new block of cheese and any illnesses that might be contracted from food poisoning and the VacnSeal could easily recuperate the entire cost of the central vacuum in just a few years! Retail priced at $59.95 plus installation, this is sure to add excellent bottom-line revenue to each and every sale.

Easy Installation
Unlike the VacPan, the VacnSeal is a breeze to install. Either locate a regular central vacuum mounting plate such as Hayden #1041 or Canplas #765566W in the cabinet above the VacnSeal location or use VacnSeal’s new 2” x ½” reducer and run their flexible ½” clear tube down inside the cabinet. The VacnSeal can then install underneath the upper cabinets or even inside of a pantry. A low voltage wire also accompanies the device. It will operate effectively with every brand of central vacuum ever produced.

Thoughtful Features
VacnSeal’s pending patents cover a multitude of brilliant ideas. First, it contains an internal filter which is easily removable in the unlikely event liquids are sucked up. The arm and nozzles are easily removed for safe dishwashing. It even contains a secondary filter in the Wall Plate Cover to insure that no dust or debris backflows thru the system. Additional components allow the VacnSeal to be mounted vertically including a 90 degree neck for either left-hand or right-hand operation. In fact, you can easily install it on the door of a pantry with the optional ½” clear flex tube. It comes packaged with an extra inlet valve extension and all hardware for a convenient installation.

Point-of-Sale Packaging
Because this item would be a fantastic add-on for all existing central vacuum systems, it would be a great do-it-yourself-kit. Packaged in a beautiful box, it will look great in your store counter for all after market sales. Complete with step-by-step instructions, the VacnSeal is supported by an extensive website detailing all aspects for your clients.

Another Innovative Product from M.D. Manufacturing, Inc.
M.D. Manufacturing of Bakersfield, Ca is making this product available to the entire industry. Ask for it by name from your Central Vacuum Manufacturer or supplier. You can also contact them directly at 1-800-525-2055 or sales@Vacnseal.com. M.D. Manufacturing has been providing quality products to the central vacuum market since 1961.

For installing Central Vacuum outlets (and any other outlets for that matter) sideways in the baseboards you always have difficulty with them being too far recessed on the final installation. Instead, on the rough-in, take a piece of plywood and rip it into a strip 5” wide by 8 foot long. Nail that to the wall at floor height and then drill your hole through the plywood. Mount your back-up box to this plywood and now it protrudes out an extra half inch into the room. When the drywall guys put their sheeting on, they butt it to the top of the plywood and now even the baseboard guys have a firm backing for nailing. Your back-up plate is easy to reach once the baseboard is installed and no additional extensions are required.
Thank you John Grabowski of Built-In Systems Specialist for this tip.