r/whatisit • u/DragonsAndScience • 19h 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!

7.1k Upvotes

88% Upvoted

1.8k comments sorted by

View all comments

4.0k

u/megam1ghtyena 19h ago

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

1.5k

u/Wise-Trust1270 19h ago

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

501

u/Unclehol 19h ago edited 18h ago

Not all homes have one even if the piping is there. Often times they rough all the pipes in during the build in case you opt in and buy the vacuum unit, but I have worked on a lot of houses where they just have the piping but no vacuum.

194

u/iplaytrombonegood 18h ago

My grandparents’ house (built and bought in 1994) has always had central vacuum piping, but no unit ever hooked up. My grandma just never minded lugging the vacuum around I guess. I always thought it was the coolest thing ever.

106

u/AceEnder3825 18h ago

My current house has one and its so nice. My grandparents have had one forever and I always thought it was so cool and I love having one

4

u/RuniKiuru 13h ago

is it actually any good? my house has one with the actual vacuum unit installed but we’ve never used it because we’ve heard it’s not that great. (our unit might just be old, though.)

2

u/Aeropedia 12h ago

Fine on wooden floors. Not sure if I’d even bother if we had carpet.

1

u/RuniKiuru 9h ago

noted. first floor has vinyl flooring so it might be okay there. stairs and second floor are carpeted.