Impact of a central vacuum system on quality of life

Impact of a central vacuum system on quality of life

We spend most of our time indoors, whether at work or at home, and indoor air pollution is one of the most common problems addressed by allergists and experienced by their patients. Pollution in these indoor environments is one of the most frequent issues that makes life difficult not only for allergy sufferers. For people with allergies and asthma, the worst air may therefore be the air in their own homes. Today there are many products designed to remove pollutants from living spaces, but there are not enough studies on the effectiveness of these products. In the case of central vacuum systems, such a study was carried out at the University of California, Davis, by Stanley M. Naguwa and M. Eric Gershwin. It was a clinical study* entitled “The Effect of a Central Vacuum System on Quality of Life in Patients with House Dust-Associated Allergic Rhinitis”.

Allergies are among the most common and troublesome conditions. House-dust allergy is particularly common. Many products are recommended to reduce dust levels and improve symptoms, including central vacuum systems, whose positive effect on quality of life is supported by the clinical research mentioned above. This research shows that using a central vacuum system can reduce allergy and asthma symptoms by as much as half, which is a major improvement.

The study selected a sample of people with a history of hypersensitivity to house dust. Each participant used either a central vacuum system or a conventional vacuum cleaner for 3 months. After 3 months they switched, and for the next three months used the other type of vacuum cleaner. It is very important to note that in all areas assessed, including sleep activities, respiratory symptoms, nasal symptoms, eye symptoms and emotions, use of a central vacuum system proved to be a better solution than a conventional vacuum cleaner.

The research shows that central vacuum systems not only provide relief from the main allergy symptoms, but also improve overall quality of life.

Participants in this study reported a 44–61% improvement in sleep, nasal, eye and emotional symptoms. At the same time, they were more active and experienced fewer health problems when cleaning with a central vacuum system instead of a conventional portable vacuum cleaner. Homeowners who use a central vacuum system demonstrably have a cleaner home with fewer allergens and a healthier living environment.

Central vacuum systems reduce the amount of allergens in your home by extracting dirt, dust, mould, pollen and pet hair from carpets, floors and furniture. These allergens are then “sent” through pipework installed in the floor to a dirt container located outside the living areas of your home, for example in the garage. In this way, a central vacuum system removes these potentially harmful and irritating substances from your home – unlike conventional, stick and robotic vacuum cleaners, which allow much of the fine dust to recirculate in the air of the living space. With a central vacuum system vented outside your home, even the smallest particles can be completely removed from your indoor environment. 

* The study results were published in an article entitled “The Effect of a Central Vacuum System on Quality of Life in Patients with House Dust-Associated Allergic Rhinitis”, published in The Journal of Investigational Allergology & Clinical Immunology. The study was carried out under the direction of Stanley M. Naguwa, MD, and M. Eric Gershwin, MD, both from the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA. Source: https://builtinvacuum.com/downloads/clinical-study-central-vacuum.pdf