Loss of Vacuum Cleaner Performance with Use
While purchasing a vacuum cleaner with sufficient power for its
cleaning task is important, so is selecting one which is designed to
perform well with minimal loss of performance with use. The vacuum
cleaners being used in most homes today are not performing to their best
ability. This factor is a major contributor to the success of companies
selling their cleaners by in-home demonstrations. They know that their new
vacuum cleaner generally will perform better than the existing ones as
discussed in our article titled "It Will Get Dirt
that Your Existing Cleaner Missed." By looking for good designs in the
vacuum cleaner system and performing a few minor maintenance tasks, your
new vacuum cleaner can operate near its peak performance over its entire
life span. The three major causes of reduced performance are reduced air
flow through the filtration system, slipping belts and worn or soft
bristles.
Take a close look at the size of the paper bag and any filter media
through which the air travels. The larger the media area, the less
resistance to
air flow will be experienced as the bag fills and as filters become
soiled. High efficiency filters which meet the stringent
HEPA or ULPA
filtration specification have extremely large areas so they are fan folded
into cartridges small enough to fit into the cleaners. If they were flat
filters like "HEPA Type" and other
micron filters, their small size and
resulting very high resistance would reduce the air flow substantially.
It is important to have a number of prefilters before the HEPA or ULPA
filter to prevent them from becoming soiled rapidly, requiring frequent
replacement. This is especially important in cleaners which have a
cyclonic chamber for dirt separation instead of a paper bag.
Most uprights and power nozzles use a flat stretch type rubber belt to
transfer the power from the motor to the revolving brush roll. Since these
will gradually stretch and slip more as time goes by, they should be
replaced at least once a year to maintain good performance. Some of cleaners have non-slip cog type belts including all
Lindhaus uprights and
power teams, all SEBO uprights and
power teams and all Aerus (formerly Electrolux)
uprights and power teams. This superior design eliminates belt slippage for better carpet
agitation and extends the belt life to about
five to seven years.
Recent years have seen the advent of a third type of belt, the Reinforced Banded
V-belt. Like the cog belt, these are reinforced and can not stretch. Instead
of being flat on the inside, they have about four or five miniature V shaped
grooves much like the belts used on car engines. Tention produced by a steel
flat spring pushing against the motor keeps them tight. Like the cog type belt,
these will last a number of years before requiring replacement.
Panasonic makes power nozzles with
this type of belt which are used on their own canister vacuums, some
Sears Kenmore power nozzles,
the deluxe Hayden power nozzle as well as a few
other brands.
Bristles, especially on revolving brush
rolls, wear shorter and become softer with use. These should be
replaced about every five years to keep good performance. Some brush rolls
have the bristle secured into wooden or acrylic brush rolls while others
are steel with replaceable brush strips. The cost of replacing bristles in
the latter type is often less expensive than replacing the complete brush
roll. Well designed brush roll bearings and mounts are important,
expecially with plastic or acrylic brush rolls, since bearing failure can
easily cause the roll to melt and require replacement. Lower priced vacuum
cleaners often have poor roll bearing designs and acrylic rolls which
require more frequent replacement.
The motors in modern vacuum cleaners operate at near to their peak
performance for most of their life span. They do slow slightly as they get
older due to the commutator wearing and
becoming slightly elliptical instead of true round. The copper used for the
newer ones is much harder so this effect is minimized. The springs holding
the carbon brushes against the commutator
also become weaker so average current through the motor is reduced,
reducing its speed of rotation and suction. Ball
bearings in most vacuum cleaner motors are lubricated and sealed so
they will run a long time before needing attention. If they become dry and
get rough, they will add more load to the motor and reduces its
performance as well. A good complete motor overhaul, including cleaning
and greasing or replacement of the ball bearings and replacement of the
motor brushes every 500 running hours will go a long way in extending the
useful life of a vacuum cleaner motor. In a typical home where a vacuum
cleaner runs for two hours a week, that translates to every five years for
an overhaul.
Even the most durable vacuum cleaners require some periodic maintenance
to keep them performing well. Of course, disposable paper bags need to be
changed routinely. Various additional filters need to be changed from time
to time in order to keep air flowing freely through them. Many vacuum
cleaners with motor driven revolving brushes have rubber belts which
stretch and slip more as time passes. They should be changed at least once
a year to assure good power transfer to the brush roll. Bristles,
especially on revolving brush rolls, wear short or become soft with use
and need to be replaced about every five years or so. To obtain the best
performance with the least problems, use supplies make by the manufacturer
of your vacuum cleaner.
Generic drugs are closely regulated by the Food and Drug Administration to
assure that a very high standard is maintained. In the vacuum cleaner
industry there are numerous generic bags, filters, belts and brushes
available but there are no high standards to which they must adhere. While
some generic vacuum cleaner supplies are of good quality, many fall far
short when it comes to performance and durability. There are huge variances
in the construction of filter media used in making disposable paper bags and
filters as well as rubber used in making belts. To obtain the best
performance with the least problems, use supplies make by the manufacturer
of your vacuum cleaner. These are often marked with the manufacturer's logo
and typically contain phrases like "Genuine Hoover" or "Genuine Eureka
Product". Sorry, but deceptive phrases like "Genuine Filter Media" and
"To Fit Hoover" are not good signs of quality and performance.
When choosing a vacuum cleaner, you also want to learn about
Identifying Durable Designs & Construction
and how to Match Your Tasks and Cleaning Style.
A good, knowledgeable sales person at Ristenbatt Vacuum Cleaner
Service can help you determine which vacuum cleaner system will work the
best for you in your particular cleaning situation. All of them are also
skilled technicians who are very knowledgeable about vacuum cleaners, both
inside and out. They will be happy to talk with you regarding your various
vacuum cleaner needs, preferences and desires.
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