Among the many devices used to clean rooms from dust, built-in vacuum cleaners take a privileged place. This technique provides the most efficient dust removal and is much easier to handle than conventional portable devices.
Dust extraction system
The main advantage of such devices is in the very principle of central dust removal. After passing through the filters, the air is discharged outside (and not back into the room, as is the case with a “regular” vacuum cleaner). This allows you to get rid of the dust residue that cannot be captured with filters used in portable devices. The smallest contaminating particles (up to several microns in diameter) get into the residue. These are, for example, fungal spores, bacteria, elements of tobacco smoke and other “muck” that can literally and figuratively poison our lives. Portable vacuum cleaner manufacturers are struggling to create the most efficient filters possible. But it is much easier to replace polluted indoor air with fresh air from outside. Of course, the inhabitants of country mansions will be in a better position in this case than the owners of an apartment overlooking a busy highway. But even in megalopolises, the street atmosphere is cleaner and safer for health than the stale air of apartments.
The installation of built-in vacuum cleaners during the construction phase increases the cost of housing by an average of 160 rubles per 1 m2.
Now about the ease of use. Since the vacuum cleaner is installed in a non-residential part of an apartment (house), it can be made large and powerful enough. As a result, the dust removal system does not create any inconvenience to others with its noise, and the cleaning speed (due to power) increases. In addition, owners do not need to carry a bulky vacuum cleaner with them. Finally, the trash bin in the built-in system has a large capacity (up to several tens of liters). And you will have to empty the dust container 1-2 times a year.
Of course, you have to pay for convenience and comfort. Today, the central dust removal system, together with the installation of air ducts for a house with an area of 150-200 m², costs 60-80 thousand rubles. Portable instruments are generally much cheaper. Nevertheless, in recent years, low-cost versions of central dust removal systems have appeared on the market, designed specifically for small (60–80 m²) apartments. Such equipment can be purchased for 20-25 thousand rubles. and even cheaper (S10 models from Kronemark, Germany-Russia, Jolly from Sistem-Air, Italy, 310 from Vacuflo, USA).
By the way
The central dust removal system involves the installation of a vacuum cleaner in a special technical room (this can be a basement, an attic, a closed balcony, a loggia, etc.). Contaminated air is pumped through a system of sealed air ducts connected to a vacuum cleaner. In the rooms, special pneumatic valves (wall inlets) are mounted on the walls for connecting a flexible hose with brush nozzles. The hose is used the same as in portable vacuum cleaners, only longer – 8-10 m.
Who’s Who in the Dusty Field
The American company Vacuflo began mass production of built-in vacuum cleaners in 1956.
Today there are more than 50 companies manufacturing embedded systems in the world. The most widely represented on the Russian market are products manufactured under the trademarks Vacuflo, Beam, SilentMaster (USA), BVC mit Siemens motor, Thomas (Germany), Kronemark (Germany – Russia), Disan, Sistem-Air (Italy), Puzer (Finland) ), Husky (Canada).
Photo 1. Small turbo brush Wessel-Werk (BVC mit Siemens motor).
Photo 2. Pneumatic “turbo brushes” do well with deep cleaning of carpets.
Photo 3. Model Eeva (Puzer), 26 700 rubles. Thanks to its compact size, the vacuum cleaner will easily fit into any interior.
Photo 4. New from Vacuflo – Turbocat Zoom turbo brush. Thanks to the improved design, the nozzle glides over the surface of the carpet without clinging to the pile or vibrating.
Built-in vacuum cleaners from different manufacturers differ from each other in the design of the engine and air filters, the range of wall inlets, pneumatic fittings and other accessories. The model lines of central systems also do not coincide in terms of the performance of the models, their noise, created vacuum pressure, power consumption and other parameters. Vacuflo – is a cyclonic air purification system. The air sucked into the device enters the chamber, the geometry of which is calculated in such a way that the air flow is twisted into a spiral. As a result, the dust particles involved in the “mini-tornado” precipitate and accumulate in the dust collection chamber. The cyclonic system does not require consumables, filter changes and similar maintenance. And the refusal to use the usual filters allows you to increase the efficiency of engines.
The vacuum cleaners of the Serenity line from Beam a self-cleaning filter of original design is used. It is a fabric membrane with a weight fixed in the center. Under the action of the air flow, the membrane inflates, and at the end of the vacuum cleaner’s operation, it falls off, shaking off the debris. Thus, the filter cleans itself and does not need to be replaced. In addition to the self-cleaning filter, the Serenity line is equipped with a quality soundproofing system and a silencer, which makes these vacuum cleaners very quiet.
Vacuum cleaners are compact Puzer… This simplifies their installation in a domestic environment. The manufacturer – the Finnish company Puzair specializes in the production of industrial waste disposal systems. The professional approach “makes itself felt”; Puzer vacuum cleaners are highly reliable.
Among the budgetary devices for central dust removal, one can note the technique Kronemark… The manufacturer took into account the requirements of the domestic market and developed a compact model S10 for an apartment of 50-60 m². System with a total cost of 20 thousand rubles. (machinery and installation costs) has proven to be very successful commercially.
However, foreign companies are gradually “correcting” and creating their own versions of built-in vacuum cleaners for small apartments. An Italian firm offers a radical solution to the problem of lack of space Water-System… Its product line includes the unique Jolly model – the first central vacuum cleaner that does not need air ducts at all. It can be placed under a window (just like a conventional central heating radiator). Sistem-Air has an attractive design for “public” installation (eg Tecno Activia series of vacuum cleaners).
German manufacturers contribute to the production of devices for central dust extraction. BVC mit Siemens motor models are equipped with central ramjet motors Siemenswhich are cooled by intake air. This allows vacuum cleaners to be installed in closed boxes or cabinets, in contrast to systems with bypass (bypass) motors, which must be cooled with clean air. In addition, the average noise level of central ramjet motors is 30–40% lower than that of bypass motors.
Ten years ago, in the mid-90s, the leading manufacturers of built-in vacuum cleaners did not consider Russia at all as any serious market for their products; today the situation has changed dramatically
Built-in vacuum cleaners that have recently appeared on the Russian market Thomas (Germany) equipped with remote controls. This design, according to the manufacturer, is much more convenient than hoses with a control wire used by other companies. In addition, a system based on Thomas vacuum cleaners is recommended to be completed with polypropylene sewer pipes, which greatly simplifies installation.
The built-in vacuum cleaners of the Canadian company are interesting Husky… The design of the models included in the “Exclusive” and VIP series allows collecting not only dust, but also water, as well as making wet cleaning. In addition, systems of the “Exclusive” series can be connected to the sewerage system. When the dust collector is full, all its contents are automatically discharged into the sewer system, so that there is no human contact with the dust during cleaning. Among the washing built-in vacuum cleaners on the Russian market, the Canadian Drainvac equipment is also presented.
Why break walls?
A small apartment can be cleaned with a single socket and a 9–10 m hose (longer hoses are not used in household models because of the loss of suction power). To do this, the vacuum cleaner should be placed on the loggia, the outlet should be closer to the “geographical center of the apartment”, and the air duct should be laid along the floor along the wall (instead of a plinth). Such an installation of a built-in system can be carried out at almost any stage of construction and without additional work on wall chipping.
Nature does not tolerate emptiness
Where will the fresh air come from instead of the air pumped out with the help of a vacuum cleaner? And the air can come from the street, from the entrance or from neighbors through the air ducts (the reverse air flow in this case is called “overturning ventilation”). The latter option is the least desirable, since the air ducts of natural ventilation are real dust depots (and the air in the entrance is usually not ideal). Therefore, it is necessary to provide access to the room for fresh air during the planned cleaning (open the window, balcony door, turn on the ventilation system, etc.).
What to look for when choosing a central dust extraction system?
Estimated cleaning area. Most models of built-in vacuum cleaners are designed for fairly large rooms (200–400 m²). These devices, of course, can be installed in small apartments, but why overpay for excess performance?
Filter design. Most often, cyclone filters are found in combination with cartridge or membrane filters made of dense fabric. The latter can be both removable and permanent (self-cleaning). The second option is very convenient, but such filters require proper operation. They, for example, do not tolerate moisture well. Husky offers built-in washable vacuum cleaners with a water filter. All other devices for cleaning wet waste must be equipped with an additional device – the so-called separator, which is purchased separately. This is a container that connects to a wall inlet. Separators collect water, ash from fireplaces, construction dust (high abrasive properties do not allow it to be let through the pipeline). The cost of a separator of any production is about 7000 rubles. Separators for collecting water and for collecting ash and shavings, as well as leaves from the sauna are different. Some for water, others for everything else. Absolutely all manufacturers recommend less frequent use of a separator for collecting liquid – its presence has a bad effect on the operation of the system.
Photo 1. Using a special separator, even a fireplace can be vacuumed.
Photo 2. This is how the pneumosovka looks like in action.
Photo 3. Nozzle for the computer keyboard.
Photo 4. Nozzle for Flexi-vac (Vacuflo) technique.
Vacuum cleaner hose. Hoses are available with and without a handle switch. In the latter case, the vacuum cleaner turns on automatically when the hose is connected to the socket. This option is less convenient, but cheaper. Dust extraction systems can be completed with hoses of different lengths – in the range of 4–16 m. Long hoses are more expensive and bulky. But in order to clean the apartment with their help, you will need fewer outlets for connection. Accordingly, the network of air ducts to be laid can be made less branched, reducing its length, the amount of work on its laying and the cost of installation. This is especially important in cases where the vacuum cleaner is installed after the repair is completed.
Accessories
To connect the hose, you need a special connector – pneumatic socket… There are sockets not only for wall mounting, but also for floor mounting, as well as for outdoor installation. They can be designed for different types of hoses, with or without control wiring (i.e. the switch on the handle). The cost of equipping one socket (together with a set of pipes, consumables and installation work) is 3-4 thousand rubles.
Pneumosovok is an entrance portal of the air duct and is used to collect debris without connecting the vacuum cleaner hose. Outwardly, it resembles a gap at floor level. It is built either into the wall or into the base of the furniture set in the kitchen, cabinet in the hallway. Using a pneumatic gun is easy: just sweep the debris to the wall where it is located and press the lever on the body. The pneumosovka will cost about the same price as the outlet. There are also combined devices that can be used both as a pneumatic hose and as a wall inlet.
Photo 1. Attachment with replaceable part for cleaning and polishing parquet and tiles.
Photo 2. Stand for storage of vacuum cleaner accessories.
Photo 3. A hose with a switch on the handle simplifies the process of controlling the operation of the vacuum cleaner.
Pneumatic sockets and pneumatic hoses are available in different finishes. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers offer a wide enough range of colors for these products. In many cases, the range is limited to four to five colors. This is not very convenient from the point of view of the owners who would like to decorate the room in the same style – so that the wall inlet is in harmony with the furniture and wiring accessories. The widest range of colors is offered by the Italian companies Sistem-Air and Disan. In addition, well-known manufacturers of wiring products, such as Btichino (Italy), Legrand (France), ABB (Germany), are developing their own series of wall inlets that are suitable for Italian vacuum cleaners. These models are similar in appearance to electrical outlets and can be combined with them into a common complex.
The list of required accessories includes different types. attachments for cleaning coatings. There are many of them: for clothing and woven materials, for furniture, hard floors, narrow nozzles for skirting boards, crevices and corners. There are also more exotic examples, for example, for cleaning a computer keyboard, animals, window blinds or car seats. The cost of one nozzle ranges from several tens to several hundred rubles. Turbo brushes for deep cleaning of carpets are more expensive – 5-7 thousand rubles. Nozzles are not included in the basic configuration of the power unit, they are purchased separately.
The decorative covers (Sistem-Air) give the wall inlets an attractive look.
Trumpet case
Built-in vacuum cleaners are equipped with a pipeline of special pipes and fittings. There are two types of pipes: 50,8 mm in diameter for American technology and 50 mm for European. The use of special components not only increases the cost of the structure, but also complicates the installation in cases where pipes and fittings must be ordered. Can a sewer be used in the absence of a special pipe? There is no consensus on this score. Thomas experts argue that it is possible, and even non-professional builders can install a vacuum cleaner. Representatives of other firms disagree with this statement. As we were told by the Ecohouse company, the savings in the use of sewer pipes do not compensate for the possible damage, since such an installation will inevitably lead to a large number of rejects, and as a result, to ineffective operation of the entire central dust removal system.
Causes of blockages
Built-in vacuum cleaners are a very reliable technique, but they can “rebel”, clog up and stop pumping air. In some cases, the problem can be solved on your own, and sometimes you have to contact the service department.
Problems can arise with non-removable fabric filters, which deteriorate when wet dust containing cement, resin or paint gets inside. After drying, such dust can clog the filter so much that you will have to change the bag as a result. The service of replacing the bag will cost the owners of the vacuum cleaner about 1000 rubles.
When vacuuming wet debris with vacuum cleaners with a cyclonic cleaning system, such problems do not arise. But in some models with “cyclone” there is a lattice mesh to protect the engine. Sometimes “oversized” rubbish, for example, plastic bags, gets stuck on it. In this case, there is a sharp drop in the suction power of the vacuum cleaner. The problem is rectified by cleaning the protective grid. There is also a blockage in the dust line. Most often, such “sabotage” is arranged by children – for example, they put a pencil into the wall inlet. The risk of blockages is greatly reduced thanks to the special pipeline design. In it, the first turn of the pipe (counting from the outlet) is made with a smaller bend radius than all subsequent ones. As a result, foreign objects can get stuck only at the entrance bend, in the immediate vicinity of the outlet. And then it is easy to pull out the debris yourself. A more complex blockage occurs when the pipeline is accidentally damaged by self-tapping screws (during any construction work). The self-tapping screw acts as a hook on which debris can cling. Most likely, it will not be possible to “cure” such a blockage on your own – you will have to call specialists for help. They find the location of the blockage using a kind of probe in the form of a miniature video camera on a wire. After determining the location of the blockage, the self-tapping screw is removed. Debris can be removed using another device – a hook in a foam “fur coat” attached to a strong fishing line. The cost of the pipeline cleaning service is approximately 2000 rubles.
Another serious cause of blockages can be a poor-quality installation of the air duct. The walls of the pipes must be perfectly smooth, without burrs and crevices. Remember that poor-quality installation can lead to a complete loss of the duct’s functionality and, ultimately, to the need to replace it!
Calculation of the cost of installing Sistem-air equipment at the facility (54 m2)
Name price, rub.Quantity, pcsCostEquipment; Power unit Jolly Contact up to 45/60 m2 22 874 122 874 Flush box, exhaust grilles 1360 11360 Set for lateral Jolly piping 124011240 Accessory set for Jolly 12 m 776017760 Mounting Jolly system installation 299012990 TOTAL:36 224
Calculation of the cost of installing BVC mit SIEMENS motor equipment at the facility (120 m2)
Equipmentprice, rub.Quantity, pcsCostPower unit BVC mit Siemens motor S500 (600 AW) 45 360145 360 7.5 DeLuxe cleaning set with 9 m On-Off hose (11 items) 520111 520 5501550 299025980 A set of nozzles for cleaning laptops, computers, household appliances 375027500 DeLuxe Plastik pneumatic socket (plastic, white) 232012320 (for reference) Installation of a power unit232024640Installation of a pneumatic inletTOTAL: 86 290
Comparative characteristics of built-in vacuum cleaners
TrademarkModelCleaning area, m2Air flow, m3 / hPowerful suction, (aut)Consumed power, kWFilterThe length of the piece. hose, mNoise level, dBDust collector volume, lWeight, kgprice, rub.PuzerPuzer Oiva Up to 10002736531,76 Cyclonic6-106826840000PuzerPuzer Eeva Up to 5002006531,76 Quadruple microfiber 6-10688526700Thomas15–300 Up to 4002485401,5 Cyclonic + cartridge 8–1052,4301642500Thomas18–450 Up to 6502456501,8 Cyclonic + cartridge 8–1052,4451661400BVC with Siemens motorS500100-4002166001,5 Cyclone + permanent self-cleaning fine filter 6-952301844900BVC with Siemens motorS800400-8003028202,8 Cyclone + permanent self-cleaning fine filter 9-12523022,374700Water-SystemTechno Evolution SA050 / OTE Up to 1501565201,4 6 Cartridge + cyclonic 954–5621939700–XNUMXWater-SystemTechno Activa SA200 / 3113.OTE Up to 2501805601,5 6 955 Cartridge + cyclonic 582114,341500–XNUMX–XNUMX XNUMXBeam 2500Beam Up to 11003248683,2 Self-cleaning cloth 4,5-10,768,53120,969600Beam 2875Beam Up to 9301805621,75 Self-cleaning cloth 4,5-10,764,22718,653795Classic S10KronemarkTo 601443581,4Paper filter dust collector4,5–10,76410811600Classic S20KronemarkTo 1201584261,5Paper filter dust collector4,5–10,764128,316240Vacuflo280 Up to 2501943711,36 70211439900 Cyclonic – XNUMXVacuflo310 Up to 1202234021,01 Cyclonic with cartridge –6813,212,712000
The editors would like to thank the Ecohouse, Russkiy Zapad, Okna Rosta companies, the representative offices of Husky, Puzair, Thomas for their help in preparing the material.