Central-vac exhaust

curls00

We just purchased a central vac unit that should arrive in about a week. The house (5 years old) had a central-vac before but the previous owner took the canister with him when he left. So the rough-in is definitely there.

However, I checked and it appears there is no exhaust leading outside the house from the central vac unit. Should there always be an exhaust pipe running outside, or is it OK to have it exhausted inside (assuming a good clean filter and a bagged setup, and a muffler on the exhaust)?

If absolutely required, I can run an exhaust line this spring once the 1000 feet of snow is melted but in the meantime it will have to be exhausting inside the house.

What are the opinions here? Oh, none of us have allergies to dust from what we can tell, if that matters.

Thanks.

chris75

I left mine inside, no real reason to vent it outside. I have to pick up the muffler someday though...

Ron6519

Try a simple experiment. Aim the exhaust to a moist or wet cloth or a furnace filter and see if you get particulates stuck to the surface. Then decide if you'd rather them vented to the exterior.
Ron

curls00

Good idea. Once I have it set up in about a week or so, I'll try that. Thanks!

End Grain

Out here in the land of sun - it's a dry heat - the central vacs are usually located in the same exterior double closet as the hot water heater. As you would surmise, the doors are vented with grills in the bottom third. Inside the closets, there's not much dust BUT there is definitely some, enough where a quick clean-up with a shop vac every few months is in order. I suggest that IF you can vent it, you will have a cleaner and healthier home and a longer-lasting vacuum. Mold spores are a major problem that should always be considered and avoided. Just my 2 cents worth of vest pocket opinion.