Welcome. Happy you could join us. Oh . . . if you don’t have a Hide-A-Hose, you should turn off that outdated vacuum so you can hear yourself think over the whirring noise. Thanks. This is our first dealer spotlight where we’ll feature central vac tips and stories as only a Hide-A-Hose dealer can tell. Hear it from the dealers themselves−the inside scoop on all things central vacuum.
Our first spotlight features Jason Huntley, President of Retract-VAC, Inc. in Boise, ID. Let’s get started.
Jason Huntley, President of Retract-VAC.
Jason’s Story: Jason has lots of Hide-A-Hose stories. His favorite is when a door-to-door vacuum sales guy marched right past his Retract-VAC van in the driveway and tried to push his way through the front door to sell his wife a portable upright vacuum cleaner. Seizing the opportunity, Jason invited him to watch a Hide-A-Hose demonstration, which sucked the wind right out of his sails.
Jason loves helping customers solve their cleaning problems. “We have such a unique product that gives people a lift every time they use it,” says Jason. “I get a kick whenever one of our customers takes the time to write us. This is one of my best testimonials from a customer who has 6 kids.
“I use my Hide-A-Hose system 3 to 5 times a day. With 6 children I wanted something lightweight and easy to use. This system is a must if you have hardwood floors and it works great on my carpet too. My children even use it. It’s my favorite upgrade in my home. I can’t say enough about it.”
Dana B.
Eagle ID
Below, Jason answers some of the most frequently asked central vacuum customer questions.
Jason helps customer, Melanie Quast in his Boise showroom.
Q: If you own a central vacuum system, is it expensive to upgrade to a retractable hose?
A: “Retractable hoses are preferred, because they take all the effort out of central vacuuming as opposed to the hassle of pulling the hose out and putting it away. Installing a Hide-A-Hose system is not expensive and it’s typically a one-day job. The price depends on the square footage of the house and the number of floors. We recommend replacing the power unit, since the Hide-A-Hose system uses longer hoses that require more airflow. But we’ll take a look at what you have, and we’ll test it to see if it works. If not, we often offer a trade-in value. The new system has a lifetime warranty and runs on less electricity than a regular system because it’s more efficient.”
Q: Are central vacuums only for large homes?
A: “The central vacuum is customized to the size of the home. Each inlet covers up to 2,300 square feet. So for a small house, one inlet should cover it, even up and down a small staircase. In a bigger house, we’ll install one inlet per level. No matter what size, there’s one power unit, which is usually installed in the garage.”
Q: What are the benefits of central vacuuming?
A: “Central vacs help people with allergies, because they don’t release dust particles and allergens back into the home’s air when you vacuum. They also clean more effectively with 2-5 times more suction than an upright. The central vacuum motor unit is located outside the main living space, so it is cleaner, quieter and more powerful. The main advantage of a Hide-A-Hose central vacuum system is the convenience of not needing to lug a bulky vacuum hose from inlet to inlet, up and down the stairs, and then wrestling it into the closet when you’re finished.”
Q: What are some of the common misperceptions about these vacuums?
A: “The biggest misperception is the expense. A customer will ask me how much it costs, and when I give a quote, they’ll say, ‘wait, the Kirby portable vacuums are more.’ I recently read a survey that homeowners think it costs about $5,000 to install a central vac. Our quotes average only $1,500 to $3,000.”
Please feel free to contribute your own questions or experiences.