<p>I checked out both the Beam and Vacuflo websites, and I really like Vacuflo’s feature of storing the hose in the wall. I would love to get rid of those awful Nutone hoses - they take up so much closet space, aside from the pain of lugging them around. I’m going to call a Vacuflo dealer next week and see if it’s possible to retrofit the Nutone system. Maybe it’s possible, since the ductwork and power is already there?</p>
<p>How does the energy efficiency compare between the central vac and a canister? My first insticnt is it may require more power to long distance vacuum.</p>
<p>I’m looking forward to investigating this when we [finally] move in. Should be in about a month.</p>
<p>Check it out VeryHappy. I have no stake in any vacuum system. The suction is really good and there are other pluses, but you just need to get an estimate to figure out what makes sense for you.</p>
<p>Re putting in ductwork: I have an 80-year-old house with plaster walls and wire lathe construction, and there was no problem and no mess putting in the vac ductwork. It is PVC pipe, not sheet metal like an A/C system. Foe our A/C, the contractor went through the upstairs closets, but the vac just goes through the spaces between the wall studs.</p>
<p>Sounds easy-peasy.</p>
<p>I just got the new Dyson DC40, the one with the orange ball. It’s noticeably more lightweight . They did away with the kick bar on the back - now you just pull back the handle to tilt back. Overall, a very nice redesign, and I had no issues with the old one. The only thing I don’t like is that you are now supposed to wash the filters each month rather than every three months. They take a full day to dry out in the sun, which is inconvenient sometimes.</p>
<p>It did seem easy. They just made openings where we plug the hose in and it all goes to a container in the basement. Hardly ever have to empty it. Must be magic!</p>