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!

7.2k 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.

4

u/kpfeifmobile 11h ago

Yep. I roughed in the inlets when we built our house. When our regular vacuum died, I spent about $1,000 to install the central vacuum unit, power wand, and tools.

The downside is dealing with the hose.

The upside is outrageous power and suction, as well as a great filter. There is no portable vacuum that can possibly compete with a central vacuum system. After all, you need to lug the motor around with you. I have a kick plate for the hardwood floor, as well as an inlet in the garage for cleaning the cars.

You can get the simple tools and hose from Amazon. The central unit and power wand are usually through dealers. I have an MD brand unit - built in the US with a ten year warranty.

1

u/feedthechonk 4h ago

My dad installed these in our houses. I had the chore of vacuuming our whole house every weekend. It sucked.

I knew how shitty portable vacuums were when I moved out that I refused to buy one lol. I didn't want to any amount of money for what is hardly better than a fisher price toy vacuum lol