Filtration Thoughts

[panofan]

So I wanted to poll you folks.

A bit theoretical - fantastic filtration. I'm not looking for opinions on whether it matters or not - but if it did, what would be better?

A portable vac with a good quality certified hepa filter (sealed filtration et al) or a central vac vented outside?

Here are my thoughts - the portable can stir up dust from the force of the exhaust air, some miniscule particles will escape through, but realistically, it is probably the same stuff that is airborne when walking or when pets tumble around the floors.

A central vac - all exhaust is pumped outside (great! - literally 100% effectiveness) - but, this would create negative air pressure in the house. It'll equalize itself through gaps and leaks - and draw air through insulation from outside - potentially brining in more dusty outside air, more pollen, etc.

So, in theory, wouldn't a portable reduce more dust since it is filtering the air within the house as it works? Regardless of this, you can't achieve one effect of pumping air out with central - any house probably can use more ventilation and exhausting of VOCs, etc. But air exchanges and exhaust fans can achieve that as well.


I'd love to hear the expert opinions of the group here!

 

[marks_here]

I have a central vacuum vented outside & I have no problems at all in fact it's been a month since I have dusted & the air filter hasn't been changed in 4 months now. My house is sealed very well, just had the energy test performed & all I needed was more insulation in the attic. Windows, doors & any other crevices were not showing any smoke being blown or pulled through. Even the exhaust fan in the kitchen & bathrooms weren't leaking neither was the exhaust from the clothes dryer. The dampers on those do exactly what they are supposed to do. I don't know about other homes but mine is efficient as they come both energy & comfort.

 

[sbakerde]

Inside air is dirtier.

A central vac wouldn't in any way bring in more dust or poluion because the air in your home is 6 times dirtier than the air outside. This is due to a few different factors. One: our homes have soft surfaces that hold massive amounts of dust an pollution such as bedding, carpets, furniture, etc. Two: is actually out own dead skin cells that we give off. Three: the air inside the home is couped up meaning the same air ( for the most part) is just recirculating. This is a problem because the dust and dander will just recirculate over and over again. The outside air doesn't have this problem because our weather paterna actually wash the air. Precipitation cleans a ton of pollution from the air. For all you rainbow advocates this is the principle the rainbow was designed on. As someone who cleans houses I can honestly say the houses with central vacuums that are used regularly are the cleanest when it comes to dust. This is why I can't understand why people buy these Bissell bagless vac and other cheap bagless vacuums that blow out nearly as much as they pick up. Houses with those machines are normally layered with dust. And dyson does it too ( duck and run).

 

[vac-o-matic]

Amen brutha!

 

[constellation86]

If your house is super sealed where does the air come from when a central vacuum pulls it out of the house?

 

[dysonman1]

The world's first vacuum cleaner collector, and the Grandfather of the hobby, was Stan Kann. Stan started collecting vacuums in the early 1930's. He always said (when talking about Hoover's terrible filtration) that "nobody ever died from the dust".

Having lived through decades of inefficient filtration systems (Kenmore canisters from the 1970's were terrible, as were Eureka type H bag models), no one really was too bothered by dust UNTIL the Rainbow salesmen made them aware of it.

In my personal opinion, I like HEPA filtration portable vacuums better than Central Vacs. Not all centrals are vented outside, in fact, only VAC U FLO and other cyclonic machines with no filter, require it. To me, the 'boa constrictor' which I call the hose, makes the Central cumbersome and awkward to use. Give me a good 8 pound upright with HEPA bag, and I'm good to go.

 

[ralph123]

If your house is super sealed where does the air come from?

All houses leak air. It's just a matter of how much.




http://www.energyvanguard.com/blog-...How-Much-Air-Leakage-in-Your-Home-Is-Too-Much

 

[panofan]

Interesting points. I'm starting to think for true end to end indoor air quality, my money is better spent on a good furnace filter (already in place), possibly an air filter in the worst airs (I'm looking at you cats ...), and something like a heat recovery air exchanger if feeling fancy:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-FV-...&qid=1408032252&sr=8-1&keywords=air+exchanger


(background - I'm more than covered for vacuums like everyone else here. I got the deal of the century on a vintage (late 70s? early 80s?) but high quality, barely used beam central vac. I just am on the fence about whether or not to go through with a full install, putting it in the garage just for the cars, maybe putting 1 inlet and the unit under my stairs and just using it to clean the cat litter box area, or simply enjoying the nostalgia of have the same attachment kit I grew up with over 30 years ago and leaving it as that.)