The different types of central vacuum systems vary based on features, size, and specifications, but one of the most important differentiators among different models is the way they keep all the dirt and dust that the vacuum cleaner picks up from your home.
This is called the filtration method, of which there are three main types: bag, bagless, and cyclonic.
The filtration method is the most important feature in a vacuum cleaner, regardless of whether you are using a central vacuum system or a regular vacuum cleaner.
Your vacuum system collects all kinds of dirt, including household dirt, sand, dead skin flakes, hair, dust mite feces, pollen, carpet fibers, pet dander, particles of rotting wood, mildew, and lots of bacteria.
Your vacuum may also pick up some dead insects and lizards from time to time.
If your filtration system is less than effective, then all these dirt might find their way back into your home.
All three types of filtration methods are effective, but you have to choose the one most suited to your situation.
Bag system.
A bag central vacuum system or a 'paper bag system' is a system where the incoming dirt is enclosed in a bag, which could be a cloth bag or a paper bag.
These bags are often manufactured by different brands.
The main advantage of a bag system is that since the dirt is kept separate from the air stream before reaching the motor, which helps the motor last longer.
This also means the exhaust air is already clean, so even if you don't exhaust it outside, it won't harm the air in your home.
Also, since the dirt is kept in a filter bag, they can eliminate the growth of mold spores, bacteria, and fungi in the vacuum canister itself.
So when you need to empty the vacuum cleaner, all you have to do is dispose of the bag without getting your hands dirty.
Bagless system.
A bagless central vacuum system has what is called the self-cleaning filter.
In a bagless unit, the dirt is sucked into the canister by a tornado effect, which prevents it from sticking to the filter.
As with the bag system, the filter is able to shield the motor from the dirt.
But once the vacuum system is turned off, the dirt will drop to the bottom of the canister where a dedicated waste basket is waiting; you then have to empty this basket once every 3 months or so depending on its size.
However, a bagless system should be fitted with an exhaust leading out of the home.
A bagless system is therefore not as convenient as bag units, but they do not require additional investment in the form of the disposable bags.
Cyclonic system.
There are two kinds of cyclonic central vacuums: • Filtered cyclonic action with fixed filter.
In a filtered cyclonic system, the heavy dirt is dropped in a bucket while the light dirt is separated and filtered out.
However, there is a tendency for the filter to accumulate dust, so it has to be removed for cleaning on a regular basis.
The possibility of mold and bacteria build-up is also greater with this type of central vacuum system.
• True-cyclonic action with outside exhaust.
In a true-cyclonic central vac unit, the dirty air is also dropped in a bucket but the light dirt has to be exhausted out of the house.
In this kind of system, the life of the motor is shortened because the light dust passes through it on its way out the exhaust, causing dust build-up on the fan blades.
Now that you are familiar with the different kinds of central vacuum systems based on their filtration methods, you can now make a more informed decision when buying your central vacuum.
This is called the filtration method, of which there are three main types: bag, bagless, and cyclonic.
The filtration method is the most important feature in a vacuum cleaner, regardless of whether you are using a central vacuum system or a regular vacuum cleaner.
Your vacuum system collects all kinds of dirt, including household dirt, sand, dead skin flakes, hair, dust mite feces, pollen, carpet fibers, pet dander, particles of rotting wood, mildew, and lots of bacteria.
Your vacuum may also pick up some dead insects and lizards from time to time.
If your filtration system is less than effective, then all these dirt might find their way back into your home.
All three types of filtration methods are effective, but you have to choose the one most suited to your situation.
Bag system.
A bag central vacuum system or a 'paper bag system' is a system where the incoming dirt is enclosed in a bag, which could be a cloth bag or a paper bag.
These bags are often manufactured by different brands.
The main advantage of a bag system is that since the dirt is kept separate from the air stream before reaching the motor, which helps the motor last longer.
This also means the exhaust air is already clean, so even if you don't exhaust it outside, it won't harm the air in your home.
Also, since the dirt is kept in a filter bag, they can eliminate the growth of mold spores, bacteria, and fungi in the vacuum canister itself.
So when you need to empty the vacuum cleaner, all you have to do is dispose of the bag without getting your hands dirty.
Bagless system.
A bagless central vacuum system has what is called the self-cleaning filter.
In a bagless unit, the dirt is sucked into the canister by a tornado effect, which prevents it from sticking to the filter.
As with the bag system, the filter is able to shield the motor from the dirt.
But once the vacuum system is turned off, the dirt will drop to the bottom of the canister where a dedicated waste basket is waiting; you then have to empty this basket once every 3 months or so depending on its size.
However, a bagless system should be fitted with an exhaust leading out of the home.
A bagless system is therefore not as convenient as bag units, but they do not require additional investment in the form of the disposable bags.
Cyclonic system.
There are two kinds of cyclonic central vacuums: • Filtered cyclonic action with fixed filter.
In a filtered cyclonic system, the heavy dirt is dropped in a bucket while the light dirt is separated and filtered out.
However, there is a tendency for the filter to accumulate dust, so it has to be removed for cleaning on a regular basis.
The possibility of mold and bacteria build-up is also greater with this type of central vacuum system.
• True-cyclonic action with outside exhaust.
In a true-cyclonic central vac unit, the dirty air is also dropped in a bucket but the light dirt has to be exhausted out of the house.
In this kind of system, the life of the motor is shortened because the light dust passes through it on its way out the exhaust, causing dust build-up on the fan blades.
Now that you are familiar with the different kinds of central vacuum systems based on their filtration methods, you can now make a more informed decision when buying your central vacuum.
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