Getting Familiar With A Central Vacuum System For Your Home

A central vacuum system (sometimes called a whole-house vacuum system) is a cleaning device installed throughout a building. Located in the garage or basement, a canister receives dust and debris sucked by the force of a motor from wall outlets, which are located for the homeowner’s convenience.

 

While many Americans are unfamiliar with central vacuums, they are not new inventions; the idea dates back as far as the 1850s in Sweden, where horse-powered fans were used to create suction through in-wall plumbing. Horses were later replaced by servants, who pumped giant bellows or pedaled stationary bicycles, until electric motors eventually took over. Shortly thereafter, however, portable vacuum cleaners became available, and central vacuum systems were largely forgotten due to their relative expense. Their hibernation ended by the 1990s when growing house sizes and concerns over air quality combined with the availability of cheaper plastic piping, more powerful motors and refined filtration systems. Yet, even today, American homes are dependent on portable vacuum cleaners, in contrast with Canadian and Scandinavian homes, where central vacuum systems are more common.

 

Central vacuum systems boast some advantages over portable units, some of which are as follows:

• They are long-lasting. Their motors can handle more usage than typical portable units. Warranties, too, are usually longer for central units.
• They are quiet. Because the motor is located outside the living area, users are not subjected to noise created by the motor, which can be excessive and stressful.
• They can be retrofitted into older houses, or built into new construction.
• They are a good investment. Just as a kitchen renovation or new deck will make a home more valuable, many buyers will pay extra for a house equipped with a central vacuum.
• They are hypo-allergenic. Unlike portable vacuums, which recycle air back into the room, dust-laden air is blown into the outdoors from central vacuum systems. One comprehensive study conducted at the University of California at Davis' School of Medicine compared portable to central units and concluded that “a central vacuuming system would best provide [allergen removal] as it would be installed outside the living area of the dwelling and/or vented outdoors."
• The system is easy and safe to use. There is no heavy equipment to carry from room to room, and no electric cords to trip over or catch on furniture.

Types of central vacuum cleaners available include:

• cyclonic, in which air is spun in a canister and exhausted to the outdoors. Location is critical for these units, as it is possible for exhausted, debris-laden air to find its way back into the house through open windows. The filter must be removed and cleaned periodically;
• inverted filter, in which the dirt enters the vacuum canister amidst a tornado-like swirl of air. The canister must be emptied periodically, and always outside of the home. Allergy sufferers may find disposal unpleasant, as mold and other debris become airborne; and
• disposable bag, in which dirt is sucked into a paper bag in the same fashion as for portable units. This is perhaps the cleanest and most hygienic method available, as mold spores, bacteria and other debris are physically separated and stored in a bag from which they cannot escape.

The disadvantages of central vacuum systems include:

• price. If not already built in to the home, a good system can cost upwards of a few thousand dollars, which is significantly more expensive than even premium portable vacuum cleaners;
• damage caused by items sucked up inadvertently. With greater power comes higher risk that large items will be sucked up, potentially causing damage to the unit. Tales abound of units becoming jammed or broken when they swallow, often at the hands of children, broken jars of jelly, toilet water, and even pet birds. Portable units are usually too weak to readily suck up items that can cause them to break;  
• a system compromised by weak suction.  Such a problem may be due to obstructed pipes or exhaust, an excessively dirty filter, or a full canister that needs to be emptied. If the unit does not operate at all, the motor might be broken, a breaker may have tripped, or the wiring may be defective.

In summary, central vacuum systems are convenient, powerful and expensive home-cleaning devices.

Article by Nick Gromicko

Nick Gromicko, FOUNDER. http://www.nachi.org
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) is the world's most elite, non-profit inspection association.
President, ComInspect, www.cominspect.com
Director, Master Inspector Certification Board, www.certifiedmasterinspector.org
Author, 15 books and Co-Host of  http://www.NACHI.TV

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 The Featured Home of the Week is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home at 20 Hickory Drive, Westport  for just $549,900. See the virtual tour HERE 

 .....or better yet, call Judy to schedule an appointment to see it!

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 Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

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How to Lower Your Home's Heating Bill- Tips for Fairfield County CT Homeowners

Without costing a penny, there are a number of things that an educated homeowner can do to lower their heating costs, and you don't even  have to be handy to accomplish them.

Remember that these items do add up- so don't discount what you think may not make a dent in your bill. That would be the costly error.

Here are some of our favorite  FREE ways to lower your bill.

First, turn down the thermostat. Sounds like the basics, but consider this-  "The rule of thumb is that you can save about 3% on your heating bill for every degree that you set back your thermostat" full time, says Bill Prindle, deputy director for the nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). 

For example, if you turned down the thermostat 10 degrees when you went to work, and the once more when you went to  bed, that could add up to approximately  16 hours a day -- and THAT  can save you up to 14 percent on your heating bill!

Turn down the water heater. If you lower the temperature of water in the water heater to 115-120 degrees, it will reduce power consumption, and you may not even notice a difference in the hot water.

Use curtains wisely! Opening curtains and shades on south-facing windows during the day will allow solar radiation to warm that area. When you close the curtains at night, it helps to retain the heat in the room.

Make sure that the fireplace damper is closed.  Remember to limit use of that fireplace, too.  Fires actually suck heat from a room.

If you have drafty doors, you can always roll up  a large bath towel and place it at the foot of the door to stop that cold air from coming in.

Please stay Safe and Warm.

"When You Deserve the Best, You Deserve Judy"

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 The Featured Home of the Week is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home at 20 Hickory Drive, Westport  for just $549,900. See the virtual tour HERE 

 .....or better yet, call Judy to schedule an appointment to see it!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Connecticut Financing Update and Today's Mortgage Rates 11/22/13

Rates have come back down from a sharp short term rise during the middle of the week.  The 10 year treasury is at 2.76%.  In recent months rates have been going higher and higher since early May.  Anyone looking to close within the next short term period then you might be better off locking into a rate now as rates have bounced back a bit in the last couple of weeks.

Today's Mortgage Rates

Conventional 30 year fixed          4.625%     APR 4.682%

Conventional 15 year fixed          3.625%     APR 3.719%

The above rates are based on a loan amount of $417,000 for a single family home, a borrower’s middle credit score of 780 and a 20% down payment.  If you would like a customized rate quote for your own specific loan scenario then please feel free to email me at nima@primeres.com or call me directly at 203.913.6016. 

 

As a lending professional, Nima Rezvan meets a wide range of real estate lending needs, whether it be a first time purchase, second home purchase, or refinance. He welcomes the opportunity to serve your needs with quick and accurate real estate financing advice. With his expertise and knowledge, he will make sure you understand the features associated with the loan program you choose and that it meets your unique financial situation.

With more than 10 years of mortgage lending experience, Nima specializes in  Conventional Mortgages,  Jumbo Loan Financing, Refinance, First Time Home Buyers and Federal Housing Administration/Veterans' Administration (FHA/VA)

782 Clinton Avenue

Bridgeport, CT 06604

Phone: 203.913.6016

Email: nima@primeres.com

"When You Deserve the Best, You Deserve Judy"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 The Featured Home of the Week is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home at 20 Hickory Drive, Westport  for just $549,900. See the virtual tour HERE 

 .....or better yet, call Judy to schedule an appointment to see it!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

A Few Thousand Reasons to Sell Your Home in November and December

You've decided that you're ready to move, BUT the holiday season is fast approaching, and you think you should wait.  TIP: The reasons to list now far outweigh the reasons not to.

1. Buyers who are out looking now are committed to the process and  serious- some still want to close by year end if at all possible, and are willing to pay a premium for it.

2. Inventory is traditionally lower now, and your home won't have the fierce competition that it would in the Spring. In fact, the inventory of available homes in Fairfield County is lower NOW than it has been for years. take advantage of it.

3. Corporate transferees have more time to shop for a home now... and incidentally,  most transferee closings occur in late January and February- meaning they are buying NOW. If your home isn't on the market, this very important buyer pool won't know about it.

4. Interest rates remain low.

5.  You could "net" thousands more between lack of competition, carrying costs, and unanticipated maintenance.

Bottom Line- Marketing your home now does not have to be an inconvenience.

Our "Holiday Home Marketing Program" includes the following:

Your home is only shown by appointment.
We can exclude signage and/or property address online and in print, if you so desire.
We can restrict lock box usage, or not have a lock box at all.
Public open houses and Broker tours are not mndatory, and will be at the owner's discretion.

Would you like to find out more? Call me (203)257-5892. We can tailor a plan specific to you.

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See a Tour of The Featured Home of the Week - a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home at 20 Hickory Drive, Westport  for just $549,900.  

 .....or better yet, call Judy to schedule an appointment to see it!

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Interested in That House? Here are a Couple of Great Negotiating Tips

First, take off the boxing gloves. Negotiations should be a win-win if at all possible.

When you are buying a home, the more you can find out about the home sellers and their motivation, the better for you. Having additional knowledge can help to negotiate the lowest possible price.

I always do a bit of digging to see what I can find out for my buyer-clients, and it has easily saved them thousands of dollars. If the owner is present at the home during the showing, I will ask a few seemingly innocent questions directly, which will help you but at the same time won't be inappropriate to inquire about.

1.) Where are you moving to?

2.) Are there any special assessments or easements?

3.) What is (or is not) included in the sale?


Additional questions (that can also help in negotiations- and that out of protocol, should not be addressed to the directly to the homeowner.)

Why is the homeowner selling? That could prove to valuable in helping to  determine an offer. For example, if the sellers have already bought another home, they may be under the gun to sell the property,

Have there been any offers? That would tell us a few things-  it may even tell us that that the price we are willing to pay might be more than the sellers would accept. We could go in lower and actually save you money!

Were there any deals that fell apart, and if so, why? It's usually a building inspection or financial issue. Eitehr way, it's important to know.

The best negotiating advice is to have as much information about the other side as possible. With me as your agent, I will do the research and do my very best to get the best deal for you. :)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

See a Tour of The Featured Home of the Week - a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch home at 20 Hickory Drive, Westport  for just $549,900.  

 .....or better yet, call Judy to schedule an appointment to see it!

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY