Does a Central Vacuum Cleaner Pay off as a Home Improvement Investment?
When making a purchase of a vacuum cleaner, many try to get by with the minimal investment. Portable vacuum cleaners can be purchased from $25 on the low end to $2000 on the high end. Many settle for something that is a bargain, not thinking about the durability of the equipment.
Those with special interests, family members with allergies, compromised immune systems, pets, or special types of floor coverings, may take more time and invest more in vacuums, due to health concerns.
Perhaps those who hire out the cleaning of their home are even less concerned, since they may not need to provide the primary vacuum. A cleaning service would do that.
There are both tangibles and intangibles to consider when considering the investment in a central vacuum system.
As a matter of cost, the most inexpensive central vacuums set-ups cost approximately $1400 and manufacturers estimate that the 'average house' should not run over $2000. As with all purchases, there is the basic and the elite. Items such as motor size, type and number of inlets desired and attachments can all make a substantial difference in the price.
Benefits provided by the central vacuum system are increased equity in your home and approximately $2000 of added resale value to your home. The increased suction power keeps carpets, upholstery and draperies cleaner and in better shape, extending their useful life. If the vacuum system is installed in a new build, it can be wrapped into the overall mortgage and the payment would not have to be all up front.
Some intangibles are the flexibility to vacuum during 'quiet' times, since the motor is in the garage or basement and not in the main area of the house; no heavy equipment to carry, especially for multi-story homes; increased suction power, keeping you from having to make multiple passes over debris to clean-up, thus saving time. The suction power of a typical central vacuum system is up to 5 times greater than that of a portable vacuum. No doubt you would clean much faster with that kind of power, and time is money!
The versatility of the unit, with the many possible attachments, eliminates the needs for a variety of vacuuming and cleaning devices. Clean anything from carpet to rugs to blinds, draperies, hard flooring, and even your vehicle.
Additional benefits include health benefits. With a portable vacuum, the air is recirculated in the room in which you are vacuuming. With a central vacuum system, the air is vented to the outside and does a better job of eliminating allergens of all kinds. For those with any respiratory issues, this is a great benefit both for health and reduction of healthcare costs.
While the initial cost often makes people hesitant, a closer look at the true investment and comparison of a comparably performing portable vacuum makes evident that a central vacuum can be a sound financial, health and convenience investment. If you are going to be in your current residence for a while, then certainly a central vacuum makes sense (and dollars) for you.
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