Every family needs qualitative domestic appliances. But it isn’t always easy to make the right choice. Usually it happens because of the great variety of models and absence of requirements to one or another appliance. And the choice of vacuum is not an exception. Don’t choose a vacuum only because of its pretty design, or according to the shop assistant’s advice. It is better to ask your friends, who have already chosen a vacuum. They can recommend you exact model, but you should be aware of some necessary functions.
Vacuum power
One of the main criterion in the choice of vacuum is its power. Technical characteristics may indicate the vacuum power and power consumption.
Power consumption is an indication of energy consumption, but it doesn’t indicate the cleaning effectiveness. Of course the more powerful is your vacuum, the more functions it will have. But the vacuums with equal energy consumption don’t necessarily have the same result.
The quality of cleaning will be influenced by the vacuum power, which should be the main criterion in the choice of the vacuum cleaner. There are cases when the vacuum, which consumes less energy, has the same or even bigger vacuum power, compared to other vacuums. LG V-C4A52 HT (1500/400) and LG V-C4162 HEU (1600/370) are the bright examples. It isn’t surprising, the vacuum power is affected by different technologies of dust collection, cleaning, additional filters. Anyway, it is better to choose a vacuum with larger vacuum power.
The effectiveness of dust collecting and the convenience of use depend on the dust collector arrangement. It collects the main part of the dust and rubbish, the rest is collected on the additional filters.
Vacuums with bags
If you are selecting among vacuums with bags, you should remember about following peculiarities. Some models can use paper bags as well as fabric bags. Paper bags are more effective for collecting small pieces of dust, but you have to get rid of them as they fill up (in average one 3liter paper bag is enough for one month). Possibility to use fabric bags is made for those cases when paper bags are over and you haven’t bought new ones. It isn’t recommended to use fabric bags constantly, because they are not effective enough. It can lead to the filter chocking.
It will be useful to know that bag infill lowers the vacuum power.
Vacuums with dust collectors without bags
If you don’t want to spend money on paper bags, you can choose a vacuum with tank for dust collection. Such vacuums have cyclonic cleaning system. The air circulates around the filter in spiral, large parts move along external radius, small ones fall in the filter. Such system doesn’t acquire cleaning after every vacuum. It is important to choose a vacuum with convenient tank, because you still will have to move off the rubbish.
Disadvantages of this system are impossibility to decrease the dimensions and vacuum power. Selecting this vacuum cleaner you buy an easy appliance, but loose some power.
Vacuums with aqua-filters
Vacuums with aqua-filters are the most effective. But their price is much higher. You’ll have to spend from 280 to 450$ and more.
You won’t find a compact model among vacuums with aqua-filter. The principle of dust collection is based on air circulation through the water tank. So you should be ready for a number of boring actions. The most annoying is – after every, even smallest vacuum you’ll have not only to pour out dirty water, but also to wash the tank.
The important advantage is constant vacuum power.
Vacuum filters
After main tank for dust collecting, air goes through the system of additional filters and out of the vacuum. It is advisable to check the number and quality of these filters before buying the vacuum.
Engine area filter is one of the most important in the vacuum. It is the second step in the process of dust collection. It can be changeable or constant. The choice of vacuum with constant filter, which needs only constant washing, is not always cheaper. The protection of engine from dust will influence the durability, that’s why the filter should have small pores. But micro-parts still come through this filter, so you should choose a vacuum according to the system of additional filtration.
S-class filters are used for air filtration. They filter small parts from 1mkm on 99%. NERA filter is one of them. They came to domestic appliances from medical sphere. They are made of special material on the basis of glass fiber. It allows to filter small parts from 0,3mkm. It is especially important to have such filters if you need a protection from different allergens, for example, pollen.
If you have enough money, you can buy a vacuum with additional bactericidal filters. Coal filters will be effective for smell elimination.
Changeable filters are good because the vacuum power is not lost. Dust doesn’t get inside. Permanent filter can’t be cleaned properly. So selecting a vacuum, don’t save money on this detail.
Dry cleaning
Majority of vacuums is made for dry cleaning. You can choose a vacuum with a bag or with aqua-filter. The main criterion is the vacuum power. For common conditions in not very dirty room the vacuum power of 300-359 Wt will be enough. For carpets with long nap and other areas of difficult access, it is advisable to buy a vacuum with 400Wt vacuum power.
Wet cleaning
For the wet cleaning you should of course choose a washing vacuum cleaner. It allows to wash not only the floor, but also the carpet, windows, furniture. Besides, it is very useful if you spoiled some liquid. One of the best washing vacuums is Thomas Twin TT aquafilter, a lot of people choose this vacuum.
Washing vacuum dimensions depend on the capacity of tank for cleaner (3-5liters) and for used water (5-15litres). Every producer recommends the use of its cleaners.
You can dry clean with a help of washing vacuum too. Thus its big dimensions and weight are not appropriate for often use.
Vacuum nozzles
In a set with every vacuum goes a standard set of nozzles. Mainly these are the nozzles for smooth surfaces, carpets and chink nozzles. It is important to choose a vacuum with all necessary nozzles. But you can also buy additional nozzles.
Turbo-brush is a nozzle with built-in roller, it turns under the air flow. It is advisable to choose a vacuum with turbo-brush, because it easily collects hair and nap from different surfaces.
Electric brush is more effective. Electric engine turns it. That’s why the speed of electric brush rotation doesn’t depend on the speed of incoming air flow. But you should pay attention to the accuracy of wires.
Besides, you should select a vacuum according to the level of noise, length of the pipe, hose and flex. All this can spoil the impression and the use may be very inconvenient. Such functions as automatic switching off in case of overheat, indicator of dust collector, automatic flex winding will be very useful. Elite models have an elastic bumper to protect your furniture.
This information about all useful functions will help you to make a right choice of the vacuum. Choose a vacuum of a firm which quality is proven in time. If you need a really good vacuum cleaner, choose one among German Bosch, Karcher, Thomas, Miele. Cheaper vacuums can be found in the models of Philips or Electrolux.