NuTone Central Vacuum Installation Guide (p.2)

Unless your home is a ranch style house where a single trunk line can run directly through the attic or basement, you should first investigate your house to find the "key" to running your tubing from level to level. What you are looking for is an accessible area that is free from obstructions and will accommodate the 2" tubing. Let's say, for example, that you have a two-story house and you want to locate the power unit in the basement. The first floor inlets can easily be connected to a trunk line which runs along the basement ceiling. However, you can't find exterior walls on both the first and second floors which line up and are free from obstacles. How do you get from the basement to the attic?

Some of the "keys" you might find at home are illustrated here.

Boxed Chimney

Frequently, chimneys are framed or "boxed." There is often enough space to run the tubing next to the chimney from the basement to the attic.

Stacked Closets

Many homes will have an upstairs closet located directly above a downstairs closet. It is easy to run the tubing from one floor level to another inside these stacked closets. In these installations the tubing is often left exposed inside the closets.

Built-In Appliances

In a home where the kitchen features built-in appliances, you'll often find a hollow space behind these appliances. If this space lines up with an obstruction-free interior wall above or below a closet, this might be a "key" to your installation. In a ranch-style home, this "key" would provide access to run tubing from a basement-located power unit to an attic trunk line. You want to also consider running exposed tubing through cabinets or cupboards.

Laundry Chute

Pictured above is a tubing run from the basement to the attic through a laundry chute. A dumbwaiter would serve the same purpose.

Cold Air Return

A cold-air return often provides a straight run from the basement to other levels of the house. The ductwork is easily cut for access. Seal around the tube when completing the installation.
 

Vacuuming your home with a Built-In Vac Cleaning System is a very quiet experience because the power unit is located in a remote area of your house. Of course, the power unit makes some noise, and you should consider this when choosing a location.

The power unit is also equipped with an inlet so that you can directly connect the hose. When you plan, remember the power unit has an inlet in one of your cleaning zones.

You should locate the power unit in an accessible area where you will be able to easily remove the dust bag and reach the secondary filter (which requires periodic cleaning).

The power unit does not require a separate circuit, but avoid plugging it into a circuit board heavily loaded with appliances. Locate the power unit within six feet of a grounded electrical outlet.

If your installation presents a problem that is not explained here or if any part of these instructions is unclear, consult a professional installer.

If you are not familiar with methods of installing electrical wiring, or if you are uncertain of the correctness of any step or procedure described here, secure the services of a qualified electrician.

The power unit should be exhausted to the outside. The exhaust is warm and contains some fine dirt particles; you will not want the exhaust vented onto the patios, close to a neighbor's house, or in any traffic area. The best way to exhaust the power unit is directly through an exterior wall. You can also run the exhaust tubing to a roof vent. Finally, do not locate the power unit next to a source of extreme heat (i.e. a water heater). If you decide to locate the power unit in a closet or small utility room, make sure the area is well-vented (i.e. with door louvers).

Ideal locations for the power unit are: garage, basement, utility room, or any other remote area.

LOCATING THE INLETS

The inlets should be accessible and convenient to use. You should choose central locations on interior walls which will allow you to clean several rooms from one inlet. Some of the ideal locations are in hallways, at the bottom of stairs, and near doorways.

Try this method for determining your inlet locations:

• Cut a 30-foot piece of string and tie one end to a heavy object or have a helper hold it at the planned location.
• Tie the other end of the string to a 3-foot long stick (or to the system's cleaning wand)
• Beginning at the location farthest from the power unit, use the stick and string as a substitute for the vacuum hose and wand.
• Make sure you reach all parts of the floor and ceiling and allow for the hose looping around large furniture.
• The inlet location itself should not be blocked by furniture or placed on a wall where it will be blocked behind an open door.
• Move toward the power unit location and use this method to outline all of your cleaning zones and to determine the exact location of all your wall inlets.
• Allow for some overlap in cleaning zones.

Take some time and experiment with different locations until you find the number of inlets you need and most convenient locations for your hose.

The tubing which connects the inlet into the trunk line is threaded through interior partition walls. After you've chosen an inlet location, make sure that the wall doesn't contain some hidden tubing to the inlet. After you've chosen an inlet location, make sure that the wall doesn't contain some hidden obstacle which will prevent you from running tubing to the inlet.

Exterior Walls

The insulation in these walls will prevent you from running tubing through them.

Electrical Wiring

Wiring may not obstruct your tubing, but you should always make sure that the tubing does not damage the wiring.

Ductwork

Avoid choosing a section of wall that contains ducting. If you see signs of ductwork - such as floor or ceiling registers - move your inlet location to another section of the wall.

Plumbing

Plumbing may or may not prevent you from running tubing through a wall. If you must choose a plumbing wall for an inlet location, be extremely careful when making a cutout in the wall.

Wall Studs

Make sure your location is between wall studs. Locate studs by tapping walls, looking for electrical outlets (usually fastened to studs), or noticing finishing nails in the floor molding. Studs are usually placed 16" or 24" apart; remodeled houses often have irregular stud spacing.