Electrolux Central Vac

My 89 year old mother is still using the same Electrolux canister vacuum she bought in the 1950's.

Needless to say, when it came time for me to set up housekeeping, I called Electrolux. Mistake. They have changed.

My canister had too many plastic parts, didn't "suck" as well and definitely didn't hold up as long. I told myself that in fairness, I probably had unrealistic expectations, given my mom's experience. I got about 10 years use from mine, which may be typical.

So, in the late 1990's, when my Electrolux canister bit the dust (figuratively) and the Electrolux salesman told me that Electrolux Central Vac Units were installed in the White House and Buckingham Palace. I bought it - (the hype and the Central Vac). Mistake.

The problems have far outweighed the benefits, for me.

PROS - the Central Vac concept namely:
1. Less Noise (motor is in basement or garage)

2. No bags and Dirt Canister rarely needs to be emptied, depending on use. My 2 story, 4 children and a dog house needed to be emptied every few months. We do however, live in Los Angeles where rain and mud aren't a factor but sand, dust and year 'round BBQ's are. Maybe it all evens out.

3. No need to drag a canister. Hose plugs into receptacles strategically placed throughout the house. I had 2 upstairs and 2 downstairs. This turned out to be a Con (see below)

CONS -
1. Installation costs in general.

2. Receptacle installation is expensive. The longer the hose, the more they cost. Dilemma:
a) Fewer receptacles/longer hose OR
b) More receptacles/shorter hose?

3. I chose option A and was sorry. Dragging a 20' long hose that has no flexibility, winder or carrying cradle was more of a pain than dragging a canister!

4. Why aren't carrying solutions or storage options available? What about:
a) some kind of cart or stand on wheels that would hold the hose and attachments (something customized for the vac hose but similar to the folding luggage carriers used before luggage had wheels).

b) a metal storage cupboard for the Central Vac gigantic hose that can be retrofit between the studs of any house - similar to the built in ironing board units sold at Costco and other stores. I bought one and it was a breeze to install in my 60 year old home.

My only Central Vac experience is with Electrolux but I feel like most of my concerns would apply to Central Vacs in general. I've now put the huge cumbersome hoses in the attic and came to vacuumwizard.com hoping to find help choosing the right vacuum for a home with hardwood floors & oriental carpets, several sets of stairs and high ceilings that need to be reached by a short person.