Installing a central vacuum system in your home is a home improvement project that can pay huge dividends in time, energy and money.

A central vacuum system is an extremely powerful household tool, with up to five times more power than most portable vacuums.

The advantages to a central vacuum system are many: no pulling a vacuum cleaner around or carrying it up and down stairs; house-wide access; vacuum noise is greatly reduced; it is a more efficient system for removing dust and debris making it a healthier choice; and it is a great resale feature that has been shown to add value to the price of the home.

And the really great news is that a vacuum system can be installed in older homes as well as new construction, making it an ideal home improvement project.

The basics of a central vacuum system include a central power unit, which is usually located in the basement or garage and inlets placed conveniently throughout the home that connect to the central unit through tubing that runs behind the walls back to the power unit where it goes into the main receptacle – either a canister or a bag. All you have to do to clean is to plug a lightweight hose and power brush unit into the wall inlet and then turn on the power button. It’s that simple.

The number and placement of inlets is up to each homeowner to decide, although as a general rule having at least one inlet for every 600 square feet in the home works best.

There are a variety of types and sizes of central vacuum systems on the market. The two main systems are the cyclonic units and the filtered units. A cyclonic system uses centrifuge force to separate the impurities from the air as they vacuum into the hose. The filtered system uses a filter, which needs to be cleaned and replaced regularly, to clean the vacuumed air.

The biggest decisions homeowners face when choosing to install a central vacuum system is what size of power unit they want to purchase and whether to go with a bag or canister system.

Although it is possible to install a central vacuum system yourself, unless you have a high degree of skill and expertise in doing so it is not generally recommended. The tubing that carries the vacuumed air to the main power unit and receptacle is located behind the walls, making it a more difficult home improvement project than many.

Here then are the three main things to look for when purchasing a central vacuum system:

	Choose a dealer who has a variety of units and equipment to choose from and price ranges.
	Choose a dealer who has the experience in installation and service, complete with references.
	Look closely at warranty and replacement parts.