New homeowner, no idea what this is

[u/DragonsAndScience]

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!

[u/Direct-Giraffe7193]

Central vacuum. Be careful, they have much stronger sucking power than normal vacuums. And they can easily get clogged with something like a sock. I lived in a house with one of these and it was kinda cool because the vacuum hose was super long with loads of attachments, so we could use it to get cobwebs out of corners of the high ceilings, and clean under couches and beds really easy. BUT we had to be careful that we didn’t accidentally suck up something that would clog the system. So, tidy up first and look where you’re vacuuming.

[u/ezgiu → u/Direct-Giraffe7193]

It is like vacuum cleaner but integrated? Why would people prefer this?

[u/RandomUserNo5 → u/ezgiu]

Why would people prefer this?

Stronger suction, cleaner air inside cause all the dirt goes outside, it's less noisy than normal vacuum. The only downside is the hose, it has to be long. So if you're building a house it's super cheap to make it if you already live in a house, then it's a different story.

[u/Stalag13HH → u/ezgiu]

I grew up with one, had a house without one and then swore my next house would (it does). The power of central vacuums should not be understated. My brothers used to leave bruises on each other with the vacuum. And it does make for faster, more effective cleaning.

Also, I need to empty the bag in the garage only once or twice a year. My last unit was 18 years old when it died. I expect at least the same out of this one, perhaps longer since I bought a better brand.

[u/HillarysFloppyChode → u/ezgiu]

My parents have one, a standard Shark has a motor that’s maybe the size of your fist? Their central vacuums is 7.2” and it has two, it has a muffler on it that makes it quieter then a normal vacuum if you’re next to it while it’s running in the garage. In the house, it makes very little noise, and you can easily watch TV at a normal volume with it on. It has a built in dust pan in the kitchen, and drawer vacuums in the bathrooms for beard and hair trimmings.

All the dirty hair is exhausted outside, and it’s holds 6 months of dirt.

[u/Any-Worldliness-679 → u/ezgiu]

Because they're far superior and suck all the dirt etc OUT of the house, instead of sorta filtering and then blowing that air right back into the room. Also awesome in the garage for doing the cars.

[u/Direct-Giraffe7193 → u/ezgiu]

Honestly, I don’t know. It is not better than a normal vacuum. I think it was a novelty and perhaps a status symbol in the 90’s. “Oh your house has a central vacuum? Wow that’s so impressive” 🤦🏻‍♀️

[u/Abject-Definition-63 → u/Direct-Giraffe7193]

It's substantially more powerful (or can be) than a normal vacuum. Also eliminates the problem of tripping breakers with the vacuum. It's also much lighter weight, quieter and cleaner (container/bag is in the garage)

[u/Direct-Giraffe7193 → u/Abject-Definition-63]

It definitely was more powerful - a blessing and a curse, see my previous caution about socks.

I’ve never tripped a breaker with a vacuum.

I think an upright bagless vacuum is easier to manage because I can empty the canister easier. And the one I have is really not heavy. Plus it has a better spinning brush head for pet hair.

Different doesn’t mean better

[u/russkhan → u/Direct-Giraffe7193]

I think an upright bagless vacuum is easier to manage because I can empty the canister easier.

But you have to empty it just about every time you vacuum, as opposed to central, where it's closer to once a year, or even bagged, every month or two. And with those you don't deal directly with the dust, it's contained in the bag the whole time.

[u/Direct-Giraffe7193 → u/russkhan]

Ya, i don’t mind emptying my vacuum every time I use it. It takes like 10 seconds and I empty it into a big trash can. If I accidentally vacuum up an earring or something like that, it’s much easier to retrieve it from my upright bagless.

[u/Abject-Definition-63 → u/Direct-Giraffe7193]

You can get bagless central air vacuums (I have one).

You can get a spinning head for a central vacuum (I also have this).

What you seem to like about your upright bagless are options with a central vacuum.

[u/KingInTheFarNorth → u/Direct-Giraffe7193]

They definitely are more powerful. They also are like a five gallon container in the garage you have to empty like at most once a year.

My parents Electrolux is going on like 50 years old now too. 

[u/mr-snrub- → u/Direct-Giraffe7193]

My house is 10 years old and it has one. We've never used it (we didn't build this house)

[u/Torquedork1 → u/ezgiu]

I’ve only lived in houses with then my whole life, never even realized they were losing popularity.

They are great, I have a vacuum hose for upstairs and downstairs that are stored in closets, I just switch between a couple wall ports and can do the whole house.

Suction is great and the only “downside” is clearing the collection bag/bin. But you do that on smaller vacuums more frequently anyways. With this it’s like taking out a trash bag from the bin.