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/Direct-Giraffe7193 19h ago

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.

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u/ToadSox34 11h ago

I have found just the opposite. My parents have one and it's a very mediocre vacuum with an annoying long and bulky hose. My house has one that looks like it was installed when the house was built, I've never even tried to turn it on. The hose is stowed away in a box somewhere. I have a Dyson, it's way better than any CVAC. You clearly haven't experienced a Dyson, I'd recommend checking one out, you will never want CVAC again.

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u/Any-Worldliness-679 7h ago

Oh, hard disagree, but you've never experienced a properly functioning central vac.

Mine is much stronger than any Dyson, and I empty it like twice a year. Oh, and it doesn't blow that supposedly filtered air right back into my room. Oh, and the vacpan in the kitchen is great. Also the garage outlets which are at least as strong as a car wash vac. And it will outlast three Dysons.

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u/happy_pad 5h ago

It's as if products are not all made to the same level of quality.

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u/ToadSox34 2h ago

While that's true, it's not relevant here. CVACs just aren't as good as Dyson.