"Easy" Helpful Instructions - Plan Your Strategy and Install Your Central Vacuum Unit

 A central vacuum unit can be installed in virtually any home, new or existing, usually in just hours.

First, decide where the main unit will be located. Example; the garage, basement, attic, utility room etc.  Then...

A) Form a PVC trunk line from the main unit to the furthest point of the house. Through interior walls, attic, basement or crawl spaces. The upper floors can be accessed through partition walls, cold air return ducts, and even closets.

B) Branch lines flowing into the trunk line will connect all other inlet valves. Air flow is determined by the layout of the tubing system. Trunk and branch line should be kept as straight as possible. Strategically locate your inlets so that your typical 30 ft central vacuum hose will overlap each area. This can be accomplished simply by using a 30 ft. string on the rope to measure out the distance from one to another. For example; using a 2,800 sq. ft. home, take the size of the home and divide by 600 equals 4.6, round up to 5 inlets.

Determine the number of wall inlets you will need. As a quick reference for estimating, we recommend using the relationship of 600 sq. ft. for each inlet.

The PVC tubing can run through the attic, basement or cold air return / then inward or raised behind interior walls to inlet valves that are installed in strategic locations throughout the house, usually about 1 inlet for every 600 ft.

Connecting The Low Voltage Wire
Ideally, you will run the wiring and make all the wiring connections after you have completed the tubing system. Of course, the inlet wiring must be run at the time the inlet tubing is threaded through the walls.

Run the low voltage wiring along the trunk line; at approximately 12" - 18" intervals, use electrical tape to secure the wire to the tubing. Then, run wiring along the branch lines from the inlet lines to the trunk line. Also, secure this wiring with electrical tape.

At the joint of the inlet line and branch line, make a two-wire connection. Use wire nuts to make the connections and insulate each connection with electrical tape.

At the junction of every branch line and the trunk line, cut the trunk line wire and connect it to the branch line wire. Connect this wiring in groups of threes - one branch wire, one in-coming trunk line wire, and one out-going trunk line wire. Insulate all wire connections with electrical tape.

Complete all wiring connections up to the power unit's intake access hole. You will make this connection when you mount and connect the power unit. If, for some reason, you want to connect the wire as you go along, make the same two-wire and three-wire connections where required.

"Very Important Rules"

Never use regular plumbing PVC when installing a central vacuum system in your home. Plumbing PVC inside wall surfaces are too rough and elbows are too tight and will provide insufficient air flow. Central vacuum PVC pipe has a thin wall and will prevent clogging for many years to come. 

We will only sell you the highest quality thin wall virgin PVC tubing that is available on the market (new style easy fit bell ends). No regrinds of any kind. We only use stainless steel fittings made from the highest quality material and are 25% heavier than other fittings available on the market. Technical questions? "What do I do if" type questions? Speak live to one of our 12 installers. We are here for you, simply call 1.800.322.2965 to speak to our team of consultants. Our promise is to give you the support through our team of certified, qualified installers.