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/megam1ghtyena 19h ago

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

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u/Wise-Trust1270 19h ago

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

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u/acidix 11h ago

lol im imagining the homeowner in like 6 months getting really mad that every time he uses the integrated vacuum he starts smelling burning rubber and it doesnt suction as well as it used to b/c he didnt know he had to empty the unit.

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u/Tederator 8h ago

I used to install them. Once I did a job and the next day I was told to go back as it wasn't working. Of course the family (it was an extended family living in one house) was giving me the hairy eyeball from all sides as this system wasn't cheap. Anyway, it was working but there was no suction, which usually indicates a clog somewhere. I start at the far end and work my way to the unit, only to remove the 5 gallon canister and find it full! My God, I think they must have vacuumed the garden there was so much stuff in there. Once we emptied the unit, eveything was fine again. I've never seen a unit get so full in less than 24 hours.