Central Vacuum Cleaners

For many homeowners having access to a central vacuum system is the easiest way to keep the house clean and spotless. If you want to save a little money, follow these simple steps to install the unit yourself:

First you have to decide where the wall inlet valves will go by testing for length. Use a 30-foot length of rope to test your options, making sure that you can reach every part of the room when vacuuming, including around furniture and in high corners.
Plan where you will place the inlet valves in the wall. The valves should fit between studs or in the floor near an electrical outlet, so that you will have access to power for the portable hose. Keep the valves away from heating ducts, plumbing, and wiring.
Decide where the power unit will go. The most common areas tend to be the basement or an attached garage. Mount the unit on the wall near an electrical outlet. The outlet must have its own circuit, as a central system vacuum sucks up a lot of power.
The tubing installation is the most difficult part of the process. Plan the installation from the power unit to the inlet valves. One scenario has the tubing running along the basement ceiling and then up through the wall to inlet valves on the first and second floor of the house.

Installation of the inlet valves requires that you drill a small pilot hole below where the valve will go, in the floor. Place a coat hanger wire into the pilot hold so you know where it is and cut a 2-inch hole for the inlet valve.

Drill the first hole for tubing, for example, in the basement. Under the floor, measure from the wire and find the center of the wall framing. Drill a ¾-inch hole and look for obstructions with a flashlight. Drill a 2 ½-inch diameter hole for the tubing if everything is clear – this will carry the dirt to the power unit. To reach a second story, drill a 2 ½-inch hole through the center of the wall framing from the attic instead.

Last, you have to thread the wiring and tubing through the house. Cut a length of tubing that will reach from the power unit to the inlet valves. Attach low-voltage wire to the tubing using tape. First, thread the wire and tubing from the basement to the first floor valve. To reach the second story, find a space in the house, such as a chimney or plumbing run, and thread the tubing through that spot and down through the drilled hole. Attach low-voltage wire to the valve's mounting plate and cement 90-degree dual elbow fitting to the back of the plate.

Install the inlet and secure the tubing. Install the valve inlet into the wall and fix the tubing to the inlet elbow.

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