Trends: Central Vacuum SystemsCentral vacuums offer ease of use for consumers and profitable upgrades for builders.

Many items you install appeal to home buyers on an emotional level, such as a luxurious whirlpool tub that takes stress away or a state-of-the-art entertainment room with all the bells and whistles. Sure, these things are way cool and look great, but do they really make life easier?

The whole-house vacuum cleaner certainly does, and manufacturers say it's among the most useful options you can offer. But of the more than 1.7 million single-family homes constructed last year, only about 200,000 have a central vacuum system. Vacuum makers say builders are missing an opportunity to add a desirable feature to their homes as well as to increase profit margins. Builders that install them agree. "All of our homes come pre-plumbed for central vacs," says Kim Whitman, vice president of sales and marketing for Renaissance Homes in Portland, Ore. "It is an added value to our clients."

A central (or whole-house) vacuum cleaner is a built-in system that consists of a power unit, collection canister, and a 30-foot hose. Special pipes installed within interior walls, crawlspaces, attics, or basements connect the central part of the system with low-voltage wall inlets.

Because the motor is located in the basement or garage, the system is very quiet, says Larry Hartley, marketing director for Beam Industries. Moreover, the 30-foot hose allows homeowners to reach about 700 square feet of floor space.

Another major benefit of a central vacuum system is improved indoor air quality, says Greg Calderone, general manager for floor care at H-P Products. "People don't realize that air from their standard upright goes right back into the room, so it recirculates the dust," he says, noting that a central vacuum deposits the dust into the canister in a remote location.

Central vacuums also are more effective than upright vacuums because they are three to five times more powerful, manufacturers claim.

Perhaps the most salient feature of the central vacuum, however, is its ease of operation. "Central vacuums are used much more often than upright vacuums, which is why 99 percent of participants in our consumer study said their house is much cleaner," says Grant Olewiler, general manager of M.D. Mfg. "People vacuum more often because it is easier to use."

Builder Mike Holmes of Holmes Construction Co. in Reno, Nev., agrees: "It eases the maintenance of the whole house. For my older clients, the system facilitates easier work because it is less laborious."

"One of the hot buttons that customers just love about central vacuum systems is the kick pan ability," adds Whitman. "In the kitchen, a customer can just grab a broom, sweep up the dirt and crumbs, press it on with their foot or toe, and just sweep all the dirt into it."

So why is market penetration so dismal among single-family builders? It surely isn't the cost, which is as little as $800 for an entry-level system, says Olewiler, who ran his own central vacuum installation business for 15 years. A high-end system might run about $2,000, though it could cost less.

Hartley says the shortcoming is mostly in entry-level housing. "One-third of all luxury and move-up homes are getting a central vacuum installed or at least getting the piping put in," he says. (By comparison, about 90 percent of all new homes in Canada either have a central system or have the piping installed, manufacturers say.)

Awareness among consumers plays a role in the lagging numbers; only about 50 percent of home buyers are familiar with the system, Hartley estimates, so they may think central vacuums cost a lot more than they actually do.

The bottom line, manufacturers say, is that builders are passing up a great upgrade opportunity. "The consumer perception is that it costs more than it really does," says Hartley, so builders are missing out on 25 percent to 30 percent margins.

"We look at central vacuums as a differentiator, especially in this market where builders have to work hard to sell homes," says Calderone. He adds: "A central vacuum is easy to put in, easy to maintain, is low maintenance, and is a desirable feature in the home," which makes it easy to sell and easy to make a profit.

--BUILDING PRODUCTS

This story first appeared in Builder magazine. Julie Y. Weber contributed to this report.

H-P Products

H-P Products. The manufacturer has revamped its whole-house vacuum line and renamed it Vacuflo Whisper. The motors have been improved for higher performance, and the units have been engineered with the motor dropped below the lid of the unit and then enhanced with a sound-dampening silencer. The line includes units for various house sizes, including a builder-friendly version for homes up to 2,500 square feet. 330-875-5556. www.vacuflo.com.

Beam Industries

Beam Industries. Serenity Plus is up to five times more powerful than a conventional vacuum cleaner, the manufacturer says. A self-cleaning CleanStream filtration system ensures maximum air flow throughout the cleaning process and traps dust on a thin surface membrane, then sheds it into the collection receptacle when the unit is turned off. A Quiet Pak insulation package and Sound Off muffler keep the unit quiet. 515-832-4620. www.beam.com.

Hoover

Hoover. The manufacturer's Hush series central vacuum system features a power nozzle with WindTunnel technology that makes cleanup quick, quiet, and convenient, the company says. A self-cleaning DuPont Teflon filter system captures particles to .1 micron at 95 percent efficiency, and a hose management system eliminates mess. The dust canister measures 7 gallons, and the unit can clean homes measuring 10,000 square feet. 330-499-9499. www.hoover.com.

M.D. Mfg.

M.D. Mfg. AirForce has a motor that has been placed inside the vacuum chamber so it is extremely quiet, the company says. It has a micro-fine filtration system and a two-ply micro-filter paper bag, which allows the unit to capture fine dust down to .3 microns. It has a large trash capacity and a full range of attachments to perform various cleaning tasks. 800-997-2278. www.builtinvacuum.com.

NuTone

NuTone. This central vacuum system features an internal sound suppression system and a motor baffle to reduce fan noise, the company says. A specially designed air chamber increases vacuum efficiency, while a HEPA filter cleans the air and never needs replacing. Available in models suitable for homes measuring up to 12,000 square feet, the system comes in a bagged or cyclonic version. 888-336-3948. www.nutone.com.