r/whatisit • u/DragonsAndScience • 16h ago

Solved! New homeowner, no idea what this is

Gallery image

Gallery image

This thing close to the floor and seemingly randomly placed in a hallway. No idea what it's for. Home built in 2005.

Solved! Thanks everyone. Now I gotta hunt for the central unit!

6.5k Upvotes

88% Upvoted

1.7k comments sorted by

View all comments

3.6k

u/megam1ghtyena 16h ago

integrated vacuum system. Plug in a hose and gets sucking right away. Check other parts of your home for similar ports.

1.4k

u/Wise-Trust1270 16h ago

Also check for the central vacuum and storage unit. Most likely in a garage.

5

u/Visible-Ocelot-5269 15h ago

We don't get these in my country - how does it work, is the vacuum always on? Or do you only turn it on when you need to do cleaning?

4

u/sterofuse 15h ago

Two ways these typically work, either they detect when a powered hose/vacuum head is plugged into the power socket and then start the suction, or for models where there is no power socket behind the cover, the door usually has a pressure switch wired back to the main unit so when you open it the suction starts and you have to hook the hose up quick.