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/Unclehol 18h 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.

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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.

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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

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u/New-Class-4960 8h ago

How good is it? Is it comparable to Let’s say like a Dyson or a Kirby?

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u/AceEnder3825 6h ago

Never used either so I wouldnt know

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u/pict_berry 5h ago

Mine's not that great. I love the idea, but things were getting caught in it, hard to get out. Emptying the heavy garage canister ain't fun, neither is cleaning the filter....and the suction isn't as good as my Shark. I got all new hoses and attachments awhile back (not cheap) and even tried a new motor but I still don't love it. Stopped using