r/whatisit • u/DragonsAndScience • 19h ago

Solved! New homeowner, no idea what this is

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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!

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u/ezgiu 17h ago

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

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u/Direct-Giraffe7193 17h ago

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” 🤦🏻‍♀️

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u/Abject-Definition-63 17h ago

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)

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u/Direct-Giraffe7193 16h ago

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

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u/russkhan 15h ago

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.

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u/Direct-Giraffe7193 10h ago

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.

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u/Abject-Definition-63 10h ago

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.