Buying Vacuum Cleaners

Archive for the ‘Vacuum Cleaner Basics’ Category

There are hundreds of different sizes and several different styles of vacuum cleaner belts. The roller brush, or agitation device, on your vacuum is driven by these belts. Flat belts, round belts, or geared belts are the types of belts that are most commonly used in vacuum cleaners.

The performance of your vacuum, and the durability of the belt, will be determined in large part by the type of belt that your vacuum uses. Since agitation accounts for around 70% of your vacuums ability to remove dirt, your vacuum belts condition is directly related to your vacuums performance.

Other important part of removing dirt form your carpet is suction. Suction is especially important for removing dirt when you are using attachments or cleaning a bare floor surface. Agitation is what will actually clean your carpet, although suction is important to take the dirt away from the floor and into the collection canister.

Belts are used by almost all vacuum manufactures to drive the roller brushes. These brushes can be made from wood, metal, or plastic.

The easiest belts to produce and design were the round belts, so that is what appeared on the market first. The problem with the round belt is that it is usually placed in the same area where the vacuum collects dirt and debris, and so becomes vulnerable to damage from any item that passes by.

This type of vacuum cleaner belt must be stretched tightly which places additional stress on the motor bearings and roller. You still see the round belt being installed in modern day vacuum cleaners.

Flat belts were an improvement on the round belt. While they still were run in a circular fashion they took a better route to delivering performance in the right direction. The flat belt does not need to be placed down the center of the roller belt but can instead be placed to one side. This helps to extend the life of the belt.

The best, and most recent, belt design is the geared belt. There are many different types of geared belt, but they all offer improved performance over the round or flat belt. They allow the energy of the brush motor to be directly transmitted to the roller brush, and are thus called a positive brush system.

There is a cogged belt that uses fixed teeth instead of tension to lock the brush and motor together. No matter how old the belt the brush can be driven at high speeds, improving the overall efficiency of the vacuum cleaner.

While the flat style of belt is in use it warms up and stretches, causing a reduction in tension. In fact all vacuums that have a belt that relies on tension loose tension as the belt continues to stretch all the time.

The only real downside to purchasing a vacuum with a geared belt is cost. Two motors are usually required for the use of geared belts. You need a separate motor for both the suction and the brush and a sensor that will alert you when there are problems with the brush.

There are only six major components to the modern vacuum cleaner. Although it may look complicated, a vacuum only needs the following: intake port, exhaust port, fan, electric motor, porous bag, and a housing to store the components.

Have you ever wondered what happens when you plug your vacuum cleaner in and turn it on? The motor is activated by the electric current. This motor is attached to a fan which looks like an airplane propeller. Air is forced up toward the exhaust port as the blades of the fan begin to turn. The air particles are driven forward, increasing the density of the partilces in front of the fan and decreasing the density of those behind it.

You could compare the drop in pressure that the fan creates to that which occurs when drinking through a straw. The pressure level behind the fan will be less than the pressure level outside the vacuum. This drop of pressure creates the suction of the vacuum cleaner.

Cleaning Up Dirt The air pressure of a vacuum cleaner works much like the pressure created in running water. Any loose dirt or debris that is light enough will be carried into the vacuum cleaner.

The dust and dirt passes through the vacuum cleaner bag as it gets pulled toward the exhaust fan. The holes of the vacuum bag are so small that while air can pass right through any dirt or debris gets trapped in the bag. The dirt and debris stay in the bag instead of being expelled into the room with the air exhaust.

Vacuum Cleaner Suction There are several different factors that determine the suction power of a vacuum cleaner. The strength of the suction often depends on: Fan Power The speed at which the motor turns the fan. Air Passageway The air heading toward the exhaust port will face more resistance the more dirt and debris has built up in the bag. This is why your vacuum always works best just after you have replaced your vacuum cleaner bag. Size of the Intake Port This will determine the total amount of air which can pass through the vacuum.

Those people with someone in the home who is handy will find that there are several places from which to purchase replacement parts for your vacuum. The drive belt is the most commonly broken part on less expensive vacuum cleaners. This belt turns the brushes on the bottom of the vacuum cleaner and can easily stretch out and become less effective.

You will know your rubberized belt drive is melting away when you smell burning rubber after running your vacuum cleaner over something that you shouldnt have. The good news is that belt drives are easy to find, they are sometimes even available from your local drug store. All you need is a screwdriver to replace this inexpensive part. There are also resources available for those that are looking to handle larger vacuum repair tasks themselves.

The parts you purchase for your vacuum cleaner should be manufactured specifically for your particular make and model. Most parts are not interchangeable between brand or even models from the same manufacturer, with the exception of drive belts and most vacuum cleaner bags.

Your local yellow pages should be your first stop when you need replacement parts for your vacuum cleaner. Even those appliance parts and suppliers who dont carry the particular part you are after should be able to order it for you. Another option is to order your replacement parts directly from your vacuum manufacturer.

Most vacuum cleaner parts should be readily available from one of those sources. Replacement of some parts is best left to the professionals, including the intake or exhaust ports which are tricky to replace.

Little problems, such as replacing a drive belt or disposable bag, can be handled by almost anyone. You dont need years of knowledge and experience in order to complete these tasks. Some of the newer vacuums are more sophisticated and do require advanced skills to repair.

Clogging is one of the most common issues people have with their vacuums. Clogging is not an issue related to replacement parts. A vacuum that is clogged simply needs to be taken apart and cleaned. This process is quick and easy and can be done by almost any vacuum owner.

Dont rush into repairing your vacuum if it does need replacement parts. Replacement parts can almost always be found, even if it takes a few phone calls. Sometimes you will find that the parts are so expensive that it is better to purchase a new vacuum cleaner than invent that much money into an old one.

There needs to be a way to trap all the things that are picked up by your vacuum cleaner. The most common device used for this function is the vacuum cleaner bag.

A vacuum cleaner with a disposable bag was first introduced by the Air Way Sanitizer Company in 1920. Prior to this the bags that were in vacuum cleaners closely resembled those that were used by golfer to carry their clubs. These stiff and awkward bags were designs to remain flexible while at the same time prevent dirt and dust from escaping.

Vacuum cleaners were a lot more effective thanks to the innovations made by the Air Way Sanitizer Company. Their bags were designed to be placed within the cloth bag and were constructed from paper. These bags made cleaning out the vacuum cleaner much easier. In addition they prevented dirt and dust from escaping out into the home.

Each different manufacturer used their own types of paper and bags in the beginning. Each one was a different shape and size and worked in a different way. The introduction of the disposable bag turned out to create a very profitable market for the vacuum cleaner manufacturers.

The newest trend in vacuum cleaners is bagless vacuums that do not need disposable bags. While disposable bags were once the wave of the future they are now fading into vacuum history.

Chambers that hold dirt and dust are now being used in the latest vacuums which make use of cylinder technology. You no longer need to worry about finding the right replaceable bags and regularly changing them. When the dust collection chamber is full you simply empty it.

Many people who own bagged vacuum cleaners are considering upgrading to a bagless model. You can save both time and the money you spend on all those disposable bags. Another advantage of the bagless vacuum cleaners is that they have more power.

One appliance that every home can not do without is a vacuum cleaner. While everyone relies on their vacuum leaner to keep their homes clear of dust and dirt, most people do not think twice about how their vacuum cleaner accomplishes that task.

Home cleaning was a much more arduous task before the advent of the electric vacuum. Old fashioned tools such as brushes, brooms, and mops were used on bare floors and carpets had to be hung up outdoors and beaten to remove dirt. This way of cleaning not only took a lot of time but also had a negative impact on the health of the people doing it.

There were some early non-electric floor cleaning devices that did help ease the burden. The push to make these devices more efficient inspirited a lot of further research and innovation.

There have been many improvements made to the vacuum cleaner during its 100 year history. The first electric vacuum cleaner to feature a cloth filter bag and cleaning attachments was produced by the Hoover Company in 1908. Many changes in style and design have occurred in the vacuum cleaner since then. This resulted in different sizes, styles, and designs. The most popular style of vacuum cleaner still remains the upright vacuum cleaner.

Cleaning is much easier with the upright vacuums that are on the market these days. These versatile machines come in either replaceable bag or bagless models and will usually include several tools to use for cleaning upholstered furniture, draperies, and all those difficult to reach places around your home.

You eliminate the need to purchase replacement bags if you have a bagless vacuum. The dirt collection container can be simply emptied into your waste basket. Since dust tends to get stirred up during this process it is always better to empty your canister outside. Vacuum cleaners with replaceable bags are probably the best bet for those who suffer from allergies. This lets you empty the bag without exposure to dirt and dust.

Carefully look at your home cleaning needs prior to purchasing a new vacuum cleaner. Look especially at what kind of surfaces do you regularly clean, such as carpets, stairs, hardwood floors, etc. You want to find a vacuum that has all the accessories you need in order to do your vacuuming chores easily.

Not many people are inspired by their vacuum cleaner. While almost no one is excited about a vacuum cleaner, most people want their homes to be clean.

Modern technological advances in vacuum cleaners are starting to change peoples attitudes. James Dyson, who invented the Dyson vacuum cleaner, has made vacuum cleaners interesting.

They now have their own distinct personality. Some of the same things that have propelled Apples iPod into the minds of the masses are successfully being used in the world of vacuums.

When it comes time to purchase a new fangled vacuum cleaner you will have many choices, the first one being between canister and upright styles. Many people end up with a canister because it is easier to push, but that is being turned on its head by the Dyson DC15 which features ball technology which enables you to easily move your vacuum around your home in any direction.

Another advantage for many of the canister vacuum is the hose attachment that allows you to easily reach into difficult spaces. Upright vacuums now also feature extending hose attachments, and work best when you have large areas of carpet.

The motor power and filtration system efficiency are also key components to consider when purchasing a vacuum. Filtration is especially important for those who suffer from respiratory ailments or allergies. The cyclone technology of Dyson which does not clog or use bags has proved to be an effective component of their marketing strategy.

The newest trend in vacuum cleaners is the robotic models. Some of the top sellers are the ZA01 from Electrolux and the less expensive iRobot from Roomba. Your room will be spotless after this robot vacuum has finished wandering around your home. The robot is even smart enough to recognize when it is low on power and return to its base to recharge.

One of these new models of vacuum cleaners is the perfect choice for those who like to be unique and on the cutting edge. There are many models to choose from at a variety of price points.