Question for Everyone into Scientific Studies...

[honestjoe68]

Hello,

I have a question for all you guys and especially those of you who study air watts, airflow and water lift type statistics.

Has any individual person or company (unbiased or not) ever test ALL or most of the facts that determine the entire efficiency and effectiveness of a certain vacuum cleaner?? I know the EU ratings are based on different qualifications vs. the what Consumer Reports does in testing. But has anyone ever taken all these things, together, into consideration and given us facts?? I’m specifically asking about the following: Air watts, Airflow and Water Lift but ALSO.. Brushroll design, Bristle Stiffness, Air Path Length (i.e. how long is the air path from the suction motor to the brushroll?) And Air Path Position (i.e. Center, or Side of Brushroll) Carpet Height Adjustment, Manual Vs. Automatic.. Floating Head Automatic Vs. Actual Height Settings the user adjusts. Does the Vacuum use Clean Air, Direct Air or Both? Bagged Vs. Bagless... Filtration, is it total sealed or not.. is it True HEPA or not? What is the weight of the vacuum, the weight of the powerhead? How many wheels, where are they located? I could go on and on, but it seems to me that there cannot be ONE vacuum that will work best for every single consumer. Also, I do not think you can take just one or two scientific factors and decide which vacuum will work best across the board. All these of course are different as well depending on if the design too, Upright vs. Canister (Cylinder).

So, I’m not arguing or disputing anyone’s cool facts and interesting statistical videos.. just asking.. why hasn’t anyone or any company taken all the above into consideration and built the very best vacuum possible with as much scientific studies involved as possible. Correct me if I’m wrong.. but is Dyson the one who put the most into upright vacuum design? (Obviously prior to it’s V10 statement) Does anyone know how much scientific thought goes into the design of Shark vacuums? I remember their Shark Rocket Powerhead mentioning having the shortest path to the suction motor.. like the Electrolux Intensity having a very short path too.

Just curious as I haven’t really researched a lot of the scientifics of vacuum cleaners online before.. I wish we had a uniform, across the board identical, method of testing vacuums. I LOVE what the EU gives it’s customers with the Ratings for Energy, efficiency but most of all I like the Decible rating! I cannot take a loud vacuum. I used to use the UK ratings labels for my own information, but now that they are restricting the wattage, the ratings won’t be the same for me in the energy wasteful USA. LOL

Thanks everybody and I look forward to your input and comments.. No shade and everyone’s input is appreciated.

 

[vacfan1982]

You make a very good point Patrick.

The perfect vacuum is yet to be built and quite possibly never will be.

A vacuum cleaner seems like a very simple product and basically it is but a lot of science goes into it to get the best performance.

Over the past few decades I don't think vacuums have improved greatly if at all apart from filtration and bag technology. Infact in many cases they are getting worse!

 

[dysonman1]

Hoover did an awful lot of research for the first couple of decades. After they had perfected it, they cheapened it. For example, the double ball bearing motor went away quickly in favor of a cheaper sleeve bearing for the top bearing. The four beater bars were reduced to two. Etc. Etc.

 

[madman]

I hate to tell you this, but there's no such thing as a research study that gives you actual facts. Every single one of them is biased in some way or another, whether that's their intention or not. You are right though... it would be nice.

As for the Europeans restricting wattage, while I understand the principle, I'll use the same argument I use for water restriction. If you have to take a shower using half the water, won't it take you twice as long to get clean? Food for thought.

 

[vacuumdevil]

You have to remember that the vacuum industry is largely based on sales that are not governed or regulated in any way. Therefore they will do and say whatever they think they have to to sell machines. Often this crosses moral boundaries that most individuals have.
@honestjoe68 the closest thing I found to the idea of a "perfect vacuum cleaner" is a proper central vacuum

Thats mostly correct @madman
There have been a handful of studies done independently by IRB and a few other Laboratories. These. remain some of the only unbiased studies in the industry.