Step 1: Plan the Layout

The first thing that you should do is to plan the location for the vacuum inlets. 

The inlets should be strategically placed in your home. This is to avoid difficulties with the installation and prevent air leaks from happening in the pipes, as they can affect the system’s suction and overall efficiency. 

Inlet valves are commonly installed in wall cavities, but they can also be installed in floors as long as they have metal covers. Make sure that the inlet locations will allow the cleaning hose to reach every corner of the house. It’s best to keep the number of inlets to a bare minimum.

For single-story houses, the PVC vacuum pipeline can run horizontally through a crawl space, basement or an attic and branch out in a short distance through interior walls or floors to connect with the inlets. 

The same methods can be used in two-story homes. However, the installation can get tricky in two-story houses, so it’s better to get a technician who can do it right. 

Step 2: Install the Power Unit

Next, install the power unit in the garage, basement, storage or utility room. We highly recommend installing the unit in the basement or lowest level of your home to avoid working against gravity. Dust and solids will fall more easily than if they were pulled downwards.

Also, avoid placing the unit in heated places as the motor needs good ventilation in order to last long and operate smoothly.

If you want an exhaust vent for your central vacuum, mount the power unit on an exterior wall. 

Make sure the power unit is close to an outlet that provides sufficient power to run the system.

If you need more information on how to correctly install a power unit, contact your local dealer or check your central vacuum’s manual.

Step 3: Install the Inlet Valves and PVC Pipes

The difficulty of this procedure will depend on what type of home you have and whether it’s being constructed or already built. 

It’s always easier to install pipes or inlets during the construction process. 

For existing homes, inlet valves are easier to retrofit when they are installed in the floor. However, for two-story homes, the piping that connects to floor valves can be visible throughout the house. So to hide the pipes, you can take advantage of your closet or cabinets. 

If you have an existing home, having access to a crawl space or an attic makes things easier for the installation. 

Though installing the pipes should be relatively easy, you might find it a challenge to drill and cut holes through studs and framework. 

Step 4: Run the Low Voltage Wires Along with the PVC Pipes

Starting from the outlets, each wire should be connected to another wire that goes all the way back to the power unit. To do this, strip the wires and join them by twisting their ends together. 

Connect wires of the same color to make sure the polarity is right. Close the connections with wire nuts and you can secure the wires to the pipes by using electrical tape, cable ties or clamps made from excess piping. 

Step 5:  Test Your Central Vacuum System

To make sure that your new central vacuum system will work properly, run a test with all the inlets closed. There should be very little or no air flowing out of the power unit’s exhaust pipeline.

You should also walk around your house while the system is running. If you hear a whistling sound, that means you forgot to glue a pipe connection. 

Things to Remember

• Installing a central vacuum system in your home can be a lot easier than you might think, as long as you are prepared and you have all the tools you need.
• Refer to the manual or call your dealer for more detailed instructions on installing and maintaining your central vacuum system.
• Before you perform any action, make sure that you have carefully planned the system’s layout and all the placements in the installation. 
• If you think that the installation is too difficult to do on your own, it’s always a good idea to seek help from professionals. Our highly qualified technicians can take care of everything for you, making sure that your central vacuum system is perfectly installed in your home.