Central vacuum system

[kddani]

I know a few people on here have mentioned that they have central vacuuming systems in their homes.

Could anyone who has or has had one let me know your thoughts? Also did you put it in while building the house or in an already built house?

I'm wavering on whether or not to get it. It's pretty pricey, so I'm wary. If anyone wouldn't mind sharing what they paid for the system/install, I would really appreciate that, too.

Thanks!

[ZTAngel]

I don't currently have central vac but my parents had it in the house I grew up with. I miss it. The convenience is worth any price that it costs. The only thing that needs to be carried around the house is the hose and the lightweight vacuum "brush." The vacuum I have now is sooo heavy compared to vacuum at my parents house. Plus getting it up and down the stairs is a process in itself. I have to empty out my regular vacuum every time I vacuum my house. Central vac only needs to be emptied every 3 months or so. My parents had central vac installed while they were building the house.

[FSUZeta]

The house we bought has a central vac. At first i was excited to have it, but 8 years later, i am tired of lugging around the hose and rolling the darn thing up when i am finished.

Now they have a model which actually pulls out of the wall, and retracts back in and i think that that would work much better. According to the dealer, it can be retrofit into an existing house.

I have no idea what the cost is.

[kddani]

Thanks, guys! I think it would be convenient, and I hate regular vacuums - changing belts, bags, etc. I just found my notes, it's $3,775 to install in the house and that seems like a hell of a lot, so we're iffy on it.

[ZTA72]

We have one which was installed when the house was built. The only hassle in that you have to carry the hose upstairs. Of course, I guess I could buy another hose for upstairs. But, it is lighter than carrying the vaccum cleaner upstairs!