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Do you need central vacuum in an ICF home?

Last Post 17 Jul 2012 03:33 PM by allan-sf. 8 Replies.

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R9tobon

New Member

Posts:21

13 Jul 2012 12:09 PM
Since a Central Vacuum system does not blow back dust particles like a regular vacuum cleaner would it make since to have a central Vac? With a regular vac dirty air piratical in an icf home would not be able to vent out well since it a tight home? What do you guys think or have experience with this issue. Thanks!

NFC

New Member

Posts:59

13 Jul 2012 01:14 PM
Not sure what the difference is. You still have a vacuum, it is just in another part of the house, or the garage. If you buy a good vacuum with good filters, it should not be an issue. You still need to ventilate the house. Anything your vacuum blows around is already in the house, not like it is adding to it (although it may make it airborne)....

FBBP

Veteran Member

Posts:1215

14 Jul 2012 09:34 PM
The best think about central vacs is that the exhaust can be (and should be) vented to the outside. No recirc of dust!

linelmarhao User is Offline

New Member

Posts:17

16 Jul 2012 04:00 PM
I build with ICF all my houses and install central vacum in all of them but vent to outside the return from central can.

ICFHybrid

Veteran Member

Posts:3039

16 Jul 2012 04:13 PM
You do not need a central vac in an ICF home anymore than you do in any other type of home.

allan-sf

New Member

Posts:14

16 Jul 2012 05:17 PM
My brother and I both built our own personal technologically advanced houses. He even had the lights controlled via low voltage wiring from a central point. ICF, Hydronic radiant, etc, etc. Somehow we both came to the independent conclusion not to put in central vac. Why? For: - less noise. - not having to drag a vacuum around - coolness factor Against: - Economics of one. normal ones probably sell 100x volume of the house ones. That translates into higher prices and less reliability. - if you change vacuum hoses, you're probably going to have to change in-wall fittings. Is your vacuum company going to be around in 10 years? - Upgrades. For around $300, you can walk into Target and buy the best vacuum made when you're ready to upgrade and be vacuuming in 5 minutes.

R9tobon

New Member

Posts:21

17 Jul 2012 11:18 AM
My issue with portable vacuums that recycle vacuumed allergens back into the air! the central vacuum system draws these allergens out of the house and into the garage, where they are then exhausted outdoors where does a portable vac exhaust? Portable vacuum cleaners cannot promise the same results because they do not transport the allergens outside of the living environment where a central does. Think about it.

ICFHybrid

Veteran Member

Posts:3039

17 Jul 2012 11:46 AM
Vacuums have filters which filter the air before it is exhausted back into the room. When you depressurize your house with a central vac, all you are doing is causing air to infiltrate from hundreds of locations you can't fully control. That air brings in outside dust and allergens. I guarantee you they can build a vacuum filter that stops the particles better than you can with the envelope of your home. Think about it.

allan-sf

New Member

Posts:14

17 Jul 2012 03:33 PM
Posted By R9tobon on 17 Jul 2012 11:18 AM My issue with portable vacuums that recycle vacuumed allergens back into the air! the central vacuum system draws these allergens out of the house and into the garage, where they are then exhausted outdoors where does a portable vac exhaust? Portable vacuum cleaners cannot promise the same results because they do not transport the allergens outside of the living environment where a central does. Think about it. used to be true, but most have good HEPA filters. down to .3 micron. The ones that don't can often be upgraded. I did on mine. After another broke, I took it apart in a vain attempt to fix. These things are designed, constructed and sealed well enough to not worry about them recirculating dust. Even my shop vac comes with 1 micron filter. .3 is tobacco smoke 1-5 is fine drywall/chalk dust Biggest help for us on IAQ was switching from asbestos wrapped 50yo dusty HVAC to radiant. Still need to put in a HRV. allan