Troubleshooting / FAQs

Yes! Use the bare floor tools or install one of our most popular options: the VacPan™ automatic dustpan. It’s ideal for removing debris from the kitchen, bath or mudroom. Simply sweep trash towards the automatic dustpan, touch the toe-switch and use the power of your SMART central vacuum system to instantly remove it. No more dustpans or stooping over to pick up swept debris.

SMART central vacuum systems are practically maintenance free. No lubrication or cleaning is ever required. SMART filters have an exclusive self-cleaning design from the makers of GORE-TEX® fabric, which is five times stronger than other leading filtration media. The filter shakes off dirt and protects the motor so a SMART central vacuum system works like new every time. Because the filter is permanent, there is never a need to replace dirty, messy bags. Just empty the dirt receptacle two to three times per year.

To create lightweight, powerful cleaning, better air quality and less noise, the SMART power unit is typically located in the basement or garage, and is connected to convenient inlets throughout the home via vacuum tubing. Plug the hose into an inlet and the system is turned on with a switch on the hose handle. Particles are completely removed from living areas and collected in the power unit’s dirt receptacle.

A SMART central vacuum system is more effective at removing dirt and allergens because it has a larger, more powerful motor than uprights – up to five times more powerful. Unlike conventional vacuums that can recirculate dust, a SMART central vacuum system removes 100% of contacted dirt, dust mites, pollen, dander and other allergens and carries them from living areas to a canister usually located in the garage – to help improve indoor air quality.

SMART Cleaning Sets and hoses are extremely lightweight and designed for whole-house cleaning from floor to ceiling. Unlike short, flimsy hoses found on portable vacuums, SMART crush proof hoses are created to withstand everyday kinks and twists.

Most homes require only three inlets to reach every area with the hose and attachments. Each strategically located inlet lets you vacuum approximately 65 to 75 m² (700 to 800 ft²) . The power unit features an extra built-in inlet for easy cleaning of the area around the power unit.

Yes! A properly installed SMART central vacuum system offers the same powerful cleaning performance at every inlet whatever the distance from the power unit and won’t lose suction over time.

SMART offers a full complement of tools and attachments for virtually any cleaning need — from ceiling fan cleaners to handheld power brushes to mini-vac tools for cleaning computer keyboards. There are even pet grooming brushes that attach to your SMART hose. More information on attachments and accessories are available at your local SMART Dealer.

1. A broken utility on a power unit can be replaced by an authorized SMART Dealer.
2. A broken door on a wall valve means the entire face plate of the wall valve needs to be replaced. A standard type face place (24 low volt only) can be changed by a homeowner. A powered direct connect face plate (110/120V high volt) should be replaced by an authorized SMART Dealer or an electrician.

If a hose has a bad switch or a damaged handle, an authorized SMART Dealer can usually repair the hose, (if replacement parts are still available for that model.) However, a hose with a broken wire or a hose that is torn cannot be repaired to its optimum performance and it is best to replace the hose.

The brushroll should be replaced when the powerhead ceases to pick up small debris from the carpet i.e. loose thread or small pieces of paper. The belt should be replaced when the operator can feel that there is no forward pull left when the powerhead is on the carpet or operator can feel the brushroll stalls. It is best to have your authorized SMART Dealer replace the brushroll or the belt.

You can follow these steps if you have problems starting your unit.

1. Using the switch on the side of the unit turn the switch to the manual position, the unit should come on immediately. If the unit comes on, proceed to step 2. If the unit does not come on, call your local authorized SMART Dealer.
2. Unhook the low volt wires at your vacuum cleaner unit.
3. Make sure the switch on the side of the unit is on Auto and the unit’s powercord is plugged into an electrical outlet. You may want to check to make sure the breaker or fuse to the electrical outlet is not tripped.
4. Take a pair of needle nose pliers and insert them into the unit where you unplugged the low volt wires and squeeze lightly. If the unit comes on you can plug the low volt wires back in and proceed to step 5. If the unit does not come on when the low volt terminals are crossed, contact your local authorized SMART Dealer.
5. Inside each wall valve (the large hole where the hose is plugged into) are two contact pins. These pins touch the metal ring on the end of the hose when it is inserted into the wall valve. Starting at the wall valve closest to the unit, the operator can lift the door open on a wall valve and take a spoon or a quarter and touch these two contact pins simultaneously. If the unit comes on, close the valve and proceed to the next closest wall valve. If all wall valves check out to be working properly, proceed to step 6. At any time if the unit will not start when touching the contact pins, contact an authorized SMART Dealer or the installer.
6. Insert your hose into a wall valve, if you have followed the previous steps and the hose fails to turn on the unit or powerhead, you need to contact your local authorized SMART Dealer for service.

Note: Always start at your power unti and trouble shoot back to the hose. Failure at any point directs you to where the problem most likely can be found.

1. Make sure the unit is in the Auto mode and that there is not a hose plugged into a wall valve.
2. Unplug the low volt wire at the side of the unit, if the unit continues to run, the relay in the pc board is faulty and the entire pc board needs to be replaced. If the unit shuts off when the low volt wire is removed from the unit, there is a shorted or pinched low volt wire in the owners system and their SMART Dealer or installer will need to track this.

Follow these instructions for clogged system.

1. Empty the dirt receptacle.
2. Use manual switch on the side of your unit to start the unit.
3. Start at the closest wall valve to the unit and open the door to the wall valve and let a tissue be sucked from your hand. If the tissue makes it back to the dirt receptacle proceed to the next wall valve. If at any valve the tissue fails to go through to the dirt receptacle, there might be a blockage of some degree. At this point you can use another vacuum at this wall valve and try to use back suction to unclog the blockage or contact a SMART Dealer to snake the pipe.