Pick the Built-In Vacuum That Works Best

Find the Right Machine for Your Home

Many people pick a built-in by its sale price, and while this may work out sometimes, usually it leads to disappointment. The first thing you need to determine the right machine for your home is the total square footage of the home, including any undeveloped areas. This is important because it shows how many feet of piping will be required to install the machine correctly.

Pick a Machine Bigger then Your Home

All manufacturers have ratings for their machines telling you how many square feet the particular unit is good for, and these provide a general guideline for you to use when picking a unit. One thing to remember, all manufacturers assume the install will be perfect, and that the machines will never wear or get dirty. These are bad assumptions to make, so when picking a unit, always go with one that is a little bigger then your home. For example, if you have a 2500 sq. ft. home, don’t buy a machine rated for that, get one that is rated for about 3500 sq. ft. This way, even 10 or 15 years down the road, you will have plenty of suction and airflow to clean your home. At the same time, there is no point in buying a machine that is rated for 10,000 sq ft for that same home. It won’t make your home any cleaner then the smaller unit, but it certainly will cost you a lot more.

Questions to Ask

Basically, when you are shopping for a built-in, there are four questions you want to ask and receive clear answers to. Those questions are:

1) What size home is this unit rated for?

2) What is the guarantee on the motor?

3) Does it have the right hose kit for your needs?

4) What is the price?

Avoid the Hyped Up Sales Pitch

You will be bombarded with lots of information when shopping for a built-in, and most of it is just sales pitch. When you get right down to it, there aren’t a lot of differences between the different brands, other then these four questions. If you concentrate on these questions, chances are you will be less confused by sales pitches, and much better able to pick the right machine for your needs.

Why These Questions?

The first question ensures you get the right size machine for your home, the second tells you how confidant the manufacturer is of their product, and the third question will most likely has some sub questions you will think up on your own. Remember, the hose kit is the end of the machine you actually use. It can make using a built-in easier, or harder, depending on what kit you get and what your needs are. The last question obviously tells you whether or not the dealer you are talking to is competitive with other dealers in your area. While prices will vary due to the type of kit, as well as the brand of machine, if one place is dramatically higher then the other, you will want to find out why.