Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuum cleaners can range from hand held devices to home based central vacuum systems and can vary greatly in price and quality. This site will explain how vacuum cleaners work, where to buy and will help you decide which type is best for you.

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Vacuum Cleaner - Basics
A vacuum cleaner is a device that uses an air pump to create a partial vacuum to suck up dust and dirt, usually from carpeted floors. Most homes with carpeted floors in developed countries possess a domestic vacuum cleaner for cleaning. The dirt is collected by a filtering system or a cyclone later disposal.

It may look like a complicated machine, but the conventional vacuum cleaner is actually made up of only six essential components:

An intake port, which may include a variety of cleaning accessories An exhaust port An electric motor A fan A porous bag A housing that contains all the other components

How do Vacuum Cleaners Work
Vacuum cleaners have a simple suction mechanism. This is how a Vacuum cleaner works:

1.The electric current operates the motor. The motor is attached to the fan, which has angled blades. 2.As the fan blades turn, they force air forward, toward the exhaust port. 3.When air particles are driven forward, the density of particles (and therefore the air pressure) increases in front of the fan and decreases behind the fan.

This pressure drop behind the fan is just like the pressure drop in the straw when you sip from your drink. The pressure level in the area behind the fan drops below the pressure level outside the vacuum cleaner (the ambient air pressure). This creates suction, a partial vacuum, inside the vacuum cleaner. The ambient air pushes itself into the vacuum cleaner through the intake port because the air pressure inside the vacuum cleaner is lower than the pressure outside.

As long as the fan is running and the passageway through the vacuum cleaner remains open, there is a constant stream of air moving through the intake port and out the exhaust port.

Vacuum cleaner specifications

In order to understand what the manufacturer means when they describe a Vacuum Cleaner’s specifications it’s important to know the following parameters:

Airflow, is the amount or volume of air moving through the vacuum, usually measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM or ft³/min). The amount of air moving through a vacuum affects the amount of soil that can be carried along by the airflow and contained in the vacuum’s filtration.

Water Lift, vacuum, or suction, measured in inches of water or Pascals (Pa). The higher the suction rating, the more powerful the cleaner. One inch of water is equivalent to about 249 Pa; hence, the typical suction is 80 inches of water.

The higher the two numbers of airflow and water lift are, the better, since this combination largely determines the vacuum’s ability to pull "particles in".

Air Speed, meausered in miles per hour (mph).

Filtration captures the soils and is mainly responsible for reducing "particles out". Filtration must be designed and proportioned to work with the vacuum’s airflow and lift so that the particles are stopped but not the airflow.

Power consumption meausered in watts. Many North American vacuum manufacturers only give the current in Amperes (e.g. "12 amps") and the consumer is left to multiply that by the line voltage of 120 volts to get the power ratings in volt amperes.

The power does not indicate how effective the cleaner is, only how much electricity it consumes. The amount of this power that is converted into airflow at the end of the cleaning hose is sometimes stated, and is measured in air watts: the units are simply watts; "air" is used to clarify that this is output power, not input electrical power. This is calculated using the formula:
cleaning power (air watts)= airflow (CFM) × suction (inches of water) / 8.5 = airflow (m³/s) × suction (Pa)

History
The first hand-powered cleaner using vacuum principles may have been the "Whirlwind", invented in Chicago in 1865.

The first powered cleaner employing a vacuum was patented by H. Cecil Booth, a British engineer, in 1901. He noticed a device used in trains that blew dust off the chairs, and thought it would be much more useful to have one that sucked dust. He tested the idea by laying a handkerchief on the seat of a dinner chair, putting his mouth to it and sucking hard. He nearly choked, but upon seeing the dust and dirt collected on the underside of the handkerchief he realised the idea could work.
Booth worked to create a device operating on such principles, and patented such a machine in Britain: the large device, known as the Puffing Billy, was drawn by horses and parked outside the building to be cleaned; suction was then provided by an internal-combustion engine burning petrol (gasoline). However, Booth never achieved great success with his invention.

Evolution
In 1905 "Griffith's Improved Vacuum Apparatus for Removing Dust from Carpets" was another manually operated cleaner, patented by Walter Griffiths Manufacturer, Birmingham, England. It was portable, easy to store, and powered by anyoneThis was arguably the first domestic vacuum-cleaning device to resemble the modern vacuum cleaner.

In 1906, James Murray Spangler a janitor from Ohio, rigged a vacuum cleaner out of a fan, a box, and a pillowcase. In addition to suction, Spangler's design incorporated a rotating brush to loosen debris. He patented it in 1908 and sold the idea to his cousin's Hoover Harness.

For many years after their introduction, vacuum cleaners remained a luxury item; but after World War II they became ubiquitous among the rising midle classes.

Recent Developments
Vacuum cleaners working on the Cyclone principle became popular in the 1990s. These were adapted from industrial cyclonic separators by James Dyson in 1985. He launched his cyclone cleaner first in Japan in the 1980s at a cost of about $1,800 and later the Dyson DC01 upright in the UK in 1995 for 200 pounds.

Cyclonic cleaners do not use bags: instead, the dust collects in a detachable, cylindrical collection vessel. Air and dust are blown at high speed into the collection vessel at a direction tangential to the vessel wall, creating a vortex. The dust particles and other debris move to the outside of the vessel by centrifugal force, where they fall because of gravity, and clean air from the center of the vortex is expelled from the machine after passing through a number of successively finer filters at the top of the container.

In early 2000 several companies developed Robotic vacuum cleaners. Some examples are Romba, the most popular in the United States, Robomaxx, Trilobite and FloorBot. These machines move by themselves in patterns across a floor, cleaning surface dust and debris into their dustbin.

In 2004 a British company released Airider, a hovering vacuum cleaner that floats on a cushion of air. It is claimed to be light weight and easier to manoeuvre (compared to using wheels), although it is not the first vacuum cleaner to do this.

Types of Vacuum Cleaners
Upright vacuum cleaners have the pump mounted directly above the suction intake, with the bag mounted on the handle, which rises to about waist height. Upright designs usually employ mechanical beaters, often rotating brushes, to help disturb dust to be vacuumed up; these beaters are usually driven by a belt attached to the vacuum motor.

Canister (or cylinder) designs have the motor and bag in a separate canister unit (usually mounted on wheels) connected to the vacuum head by a flexible hose. Although upright units have been tested as more effective (mainly because of the beaters), the lighter, more manoeuverable heads of canister models are popular. Most are quieter than uprights, and their long, flexible hose tends to make them better at cleaning on stairs and in hard-to-reach areas.

Back-pack vacs are commonly used for commercial cleaning: they allow the user to move rapidly about a large area. They are essentially canister vacuum cleaners, except that straps are used to carry the canister unit on the user's back.

Built-in or central vacuum cleaners move the suction motor and bag to a central location in the building and provide vacuum inlets at strategic places throughout the building: only the hose and pickup head need be carried from room to room; and the hose is commonly 25ft long, allowing a large range of movement without changing vacuum inlets. Plastic piping connects the vacuum outlets to the central unit. The vacuum head may either be unpowered or have beaters operated by an electric motor or air-driven motor.

Robotic vacuum cleaners move autonomously, usually in a mostly chaotic pattern ('random bounce'). Some come back to a docking station to charge their batteries, and a few are able to empty their dust containers into the dock as well.

Small hand-held vacuum cleaners, either battery-operated or electric, are also popular for cleaning up smaller spills. Whether corded or cordless, these miniature vacuums typically lack the power of a full-sized vacuum cleaner. But they can be handy for small, quick jobs.

Comparing the Types

Nearly any vacuum works well on bare floors. But some types work better on carpet, while others are handier for curtains and cleaning beneath sofas. You can also pay a lot more for some to gain little in convenience. Here are the pros and cons of each:

UPRIGHTVACS - Best for cleaning carpets. Upright vacuums also cost the least overall and are easiest to carry and store. But you push and pull the entire machine for most floor and carpet cleaning. Uprights also tend to be a bit noisier than canisters and less stable on stairs. Price $75 to $300 for most models.

CANISTERVACS - Best for cleaning drapes, under furniture, and other spots that require a hose and tools. You mostly move only the powerhead and air hose. But canister units tend to be heavier and bulkier overall, making them harder to carry and store. Most canisters cost more than uprights, despite falling prices. Price $150 to $400 for most models.

CORDLESS ROOM VACS - Best for light-duty jobs. The Westinghouse Unplugged cordless upright and robotic Roomba clean bare floors well. But both are disappointing on carpets. The robotic Roomba can't get to corners and has a hard time getting onto rugs. Price $250 to $300 for tested models.

CENTRALVAC SYSTEMS - Best for canister-like cleaning without carrying the body. They tend to be relatively quiet and can be emptied infrequently. But central vacs are pricey and often require professional installation. The 30-foot hose can be cumbersome and takes up storage space. And there's no place to carry tools while you work. Price $500 to $1,250 with tools; $300 to $750 to install.

How to Choose the Right Vacuum Cleaners
Fancy features and a high price don’t necessarily mean better cleaning. Here’s what to think about at the store:

Upright vacuums also cost and weigh less than canisters and are easier to store overall, though they tend to be noisier and less stable on stairs. On the other hand, canister vacs are still better overall if you spend lots of time cleaning drapes and upholstery.

Vacuums with bags still hold more and create less dust overall when emptying. A brush on/off switch lets you turn off the brush on bare floors and delicate rugs. Models with manual pile-height adjustment can improve carpet cleaning by letting you raise or lower the powerhead for gentler or more-aggressive action.

Canister models typically weigh more than uprights, though you’re moving only the hose and powerhead when cleaning.

Don’t get impress with the extra tools that the Vacuum include. Most users should be satisfied with the three onboard tools sold with most vacs. They include a narrow tool for crevices and baseboards, a small brush for upholstery, and a round brush for dusting

Research as much as you can. Ask questions, check references and require the manufacturer to provide you with copies of independent test reports that validate filtration, airflow and efficiency claims.

Best Vacuum Cleaners Guide
Best value, bagging vacuum.Reviews say the Eureka 4870 is the best value in a bagging upright vacuum cleaner, cleaning as well or better than more expensive models, especially on carpet. The Eureka vacuum also ships with a sealed HEPA filter and does well in noise tests. This vacuum cleaner has on-board attachments and brushroll on/off control. At 21 pounds, the Eureka is a bit more cumbersome to push than the Kenmore Progressive below. You still have to change a bag, but for those who want a good all-around model for a modest price, the Boss is the best upright vacuum.

Best bagging upright vacuum.The Kenmore vacuum's rotating brushroll helps propel the vacuum across the floor, so there's less pushing and pulling than with the Eureka above. While both vacuums do well on carpet and bare floors, reviews say the Kenmore works better with tools, a consideration if you plan to vacuum stairs and upholstery. The Kenmore weighs about 20 pounds and has a one-year warranty. Like the Eureka, it includes a HEPA filter.

Best bagless vacuum. Bagless vacuums collect dust in a removable bin. While that saves you from buying replacement dust bags, bagless vacuum do expose you to some dust during emptying. The Bissell Lift-Off is the best bagless upright in one test, and does clean equally well on carpet and bare floors. This Bissell vacuum cleaner has another unique feature -- the main suction unit is detachable, so it becomes an instant canister vacuum.

Budget bagless vacuum. The Bissell CleanView doesn't morph into a canister vacuum like the Bissell Lift-Off, but reviews say the inexpensive CleanView out performs its budget price. In one test, it cleaned carpet as well as the $600 Dyson DC14. Reviews note that the Bissell can be noisy, and some owners say it can tip over while you're using the extendable hose.

Robotic vacuum. While most professional reviews say the Roomba probably can't totally eliminate manual vacuuming, other reviews say this disc-shaped, battery powered robotic vacuum cleaner does a good job. Because of its small size, it can get into small spaces like under furniture and near baseboard. Some wish its dust bin held more dirt. Still, owners say the Roomba is a fun gadget, and reviews say it is a good light-duty vacuum. More expensive versions of the Roomba vacuum include extras like a quick charger and a remote control.

Myths of Vacuuming
Myth #1: Amps Mean Performance

Amps is a measure of electrical current, not vacuuiming performance. Measuring a vacuum cleaner’s performance based on amps is like buying a car based on how much gas it guzzles. The design of the entire machine and how it handles and controls airflow and incorporates filtration determines its quality, not the electrical energy it consumes.

Myth #2: Everyone Needs HEPA

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) is a technical definition that refers to a filter that will remove not less than 99.97% of 0.3 micron diameter particles or larger from the air that passes through it.

You need to have the fewest particles released or driven into the air — regardless of whether that vacuum is HEPA or not. Some microfiltered systems accomplish this just as well as some systems called HEPA. Find out what the "particles out" are, and you’ll have the all-important information you need.

Keep in mind that even high-end HEPA-filtered vacuums may still be driving dust airborne by the impact of a beater brush against the carpet. With uprights or canisters equipped with power heads, the critical information to have is how much airflow and lift are occurring at the beater brush / floor interface to help determine whether or not particles are being pulled into the vacuum or driven airborne. The extra-wide orifice on some upright vacuums and power nozzles results in greatly diminished suction at the tool head and poor soil capture. More on this later under "The Venturi Principle".

Myth #3: Picking Up a "Bowling Ball" Shows Cleaning Power

The bowling ball trick is just that — a trick. This sales technique is based on the power of a suction cup. Have you ever stuck a suction cup on a mirror and tried to remove it by pulling directly away from the mirror? It’s hard to do. Why? Once a seal is created on a smooth surface, the seal is difficult to break. Does a vacuum tool’s ability to form a seal around a bowling ball and pick it up like a suction cup have anything to do with how well the vacuum can remove soil from a surface? No!

Myth #4: All Vacuum Bags are the Same

Again, not true. Multi-ply microfilters greatly increase vacuum efficiency over generic single-ply paper filters. For this reason, microfilters are now increasingly used in commercial vacuuming applications. Microfilter bags have greater media density and thus capture far more fine dust. One-ply generic bags have relatively large pores that permit fine dust to escape, lowering indoor air quality, increasing health risks and the need for dusting.

Also, filter bag size does matter. The greater the "area" of the filter media, the longer airflow, suction and cleaning can be sustained. For this reason, at least one major manufacturer of vacuum cleaners promotes its filters by measuring and publishing the total area — in square inches or centimeters — of its filter bag media.

Myth #5: All Vacuum Belts are the Same

Not all vacuum belts are created equal. A cheap vacuum belt will stretch, slip and wear out quickly, whereas a high-quality belt is geared or sprocketed like an automobile timing belt, and can literally last for years. In addition, geared/sprocketed belts do not slip, ensuring better and more consistent soil pickup and removal. Sprocketed belts help ensure better overall performance, and enable you to spend more time cleaning and less time changing belts.

Myth #6: Cyclonic Systems Do Not Use Filters & Require Less Maintenance

Virtually all cyclonic or bagless vacuuming systems use a final filter to catch the dust that cyclonic filtration cannot remove from the airflow. This is often a HEPA media filter. This final filter will require regular cleaning or replacement to ensure optimal performance. If you fail to perform the needed filter maintenance, the vacuum will not perform as intended. The cost of replacing the final filter may equal or exceed the cost of using conventional bag filter media. The quality of cyclonic systems varies widely. Do your homework and request the all-important "particles in, particles out" information in the form of test data from the manufacturer to determine overall performance.

Some vacuum cleaners are actually designed to produce cyclonic airflow even with conventional microfilters. Ribbed panels in the filter containment area create a rotating column of air inside the filter bag so soil is deposited evenly on the sidewalls of the filter where it has the greatest surface area, ensuring sustained airflow longer.

Myth #7: All Vacuum Cleaners Have Similar Design Features and are Equally Easy to Use

Ergonomic design, weight and other factors affecting ease of use vary widely among vacuum cleaners. Handle weight is a critical factor with uprights, as is ease of rolling and maneuverability.

Canister vacuums vary widely in shape and design affecting usability. One model balances the weight primarily over the large rear wheels to facilitate nimble handling and ease of pulling. Some canisters trip over power cords, while others roll over such obstacles easily. Design and weight distribution makes the difference.

Backpack vacuums now weigh in at less than 10 pounds, with precision suspension systems that distribute the weight across the hips and not the shoulders for ideal balance and maneuverability. One manufacturer produces a backpack vacuum station that enables the operator to simply back into the "port" and slip on the backpack without lifting it.


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