Central Vacuum Installation Pt. 5: Exhaust Unit

A central vacuum is a wonderful way to keep your entire house clean. Being located all around your home, a central vacuum can make light, easy, and quick work of cleaning the floors around your home. With a central vac you do not have to carry around a large machine or worry bumping it into the wall.

The central vacuum operates with a central power unit connected to a series of hoses that are spread throughout the home. You simply connect the vacuum head to the outlets in the wall and vacuum. They are much more efficient than other types of vacuum cleaners as it cleans the air while it cleans the floor. This is made possible because the built in vacuum does not exhaust back into the room. An exhaust fan is used to carry away the dust particles and evacuate them from your home. Installation of an exhaust fan is easily done with a few basic tools and a few hours.

Step 1 - Find Your Location For Vent

After you have your exhaust fan kit, you will need to choose the location where it will be installed. You should choose an area that vents directly outside and is close to your central exhaust main unit. Do not install near any windows, doors, or patios, or swimming pool.

Step 2 - Mark Location

Use your PVC pipe, that is the appropriate size for the exhaust fan kit, and trace a circle where you want the fan to be located.

Step 3 - Cut The Hole

Once the mark is on the wall you can cut out the circle. If the hole is going to be made in a cement (as in a garage footing or basement) you will need to drill a pilot hole. Use a masonry bit on a hammer drill and drill through the cement. Attach a hole saw to the hammer drill and cut out the hole. For cutting into wood or Sheetrock you can sue the same method. However a reciprocating saw will make very quick work of this step.

Step 4 - Install PVC Pipe

Place the PVC pipe through the hole you just made. It should protrude a few inches on the other side. Add the PVC finishing ring to the inside of the wall with PVC cement. You will also make the connection to the built in vacuum cleaner exhaust fan kit.

Step 5 - Connect Exhaust Fan Kit

Connecting a central vacuum exhaust fan kit is a matter of bolting it to the exhaust port on the unit. Screw onto the area where the filter is located and run the duct work to connect to the PVC pipe.

Step 6 - Install Outside Vent

Slide the outside vent onto the protruding exhaust pipe. Line the outside edge with some weatherproof caulking and smooth out with a thin bladed scraper. The caulking is useful to keep out any drafts or insects from entering into your home.