Choosing The Right Vacuum, Plus What Is All The Hype About HEPA?
Now that Spring's here, a lot folks are looking for the perfect vacuum that
will not only keep their carpets clean, but also keep the air in their home free
of dust and pollen. You've seen and heard the ads vacuums that have radios
on them, vacuums that have enough suction to lift a bowling ball, and vacuums
that tell you when your floor is clean with all these claims, how do you know
which one is right for your home?
Common Misconception: Most vacuums tout how many amps and horsepower they
have. Unfortunately, amps and horsepower have nothing to do with how well the
vacuum will suck dirt out of your carpet. What really counts in the muscle
department is water lift and airflow. Water lift is a measurement of the
strength of the vacuum produced by the suction motor.
Airflow refers to the force exerted by the moving air through the vacuum, which
picks up the dirt and moves it into the bag or dirt container. Airflow is
measured in cubic feet per minute.
Power: When shopping for a vacuum, you will want one that has a minimum
of 70 to 75 inches of water lift and 100 CFM. To really help get the dirt out of
the carpet, you'll want to make sure the vacuum has an RPM of 6,000.
Wheels: You'll want to get a vacuum with rubber wheels, not plastic.
Rubber wheels are ideal for carpet and for tile & wood floors. When plastic
wheels go over tile and wood, they mash the dirt in, making it hard to remove.
Rubber wheels won't grind the dirt and they won't scratch your floors.
The Hype On HEPA
HEPA: Stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. HEPA is a special
filtration system that is designed to filter out dust mites, pollen, and pet
dander in your home. A true HEPA filter must retain all particles as small as
0.3 microns in size, with an efficiency rating of 99.7 percent.
The Trick: HEPA filters simply make sense but the key is to choose a vacuum
that has the HEPA filtration system and not a HEPA-type filter. Many lower-end
vacuums tout a HEPA type filter, but they do not remove the dust and pollen like
the true HEPA filter vacuums do.
Please
contact us, so that we can examine any mildew damage that has occurred.
