What's with the low amperage ratings on new vacuum cleaner models?

[superocd]

I was at at Walmart yesterday evening looking for an RD belt for my Sanitaire (I misplaced my supply of them). After I found the belt, I couldn't help but look at the vacs on display. I've noticed that 12 amp motors on all of these new vacs are pretty much a thing of the past (all of them were bypass machines, obviously). Most of the full size vacs, like Bissells and Eurekas, averaged 8 amps. The lighter-weight varieties were down to five amps.

How can a bypass machine get the floor clean with a smaller-amperage motor? I know amperage isn't everything, my 7-amp Sanitaire outcleans a typical 12-amp from a big-box store, but it is a direct-air machine. It does not have to contend with 3-5 feet of hose, twists and turns and multiple filters. The same amperage motor in a bypass machine is going to be anemic because its airpath is a LOT more complex and MUCH longer.

It's really all in design but the airpaths of the average new vacuum are still long and/or complex, yet the motor is smaller. I don't believe any manufacturer is spending any money for R&D in regards to a more efficient motor. Most manufacturers use the same supplier for their motor.

Pray tell this isn't a precursor to energy-efficiency requirements on our vacuums now! I mean, I don't have to worry as I have a Sanitaire, which I'm really happy with, but I've heard that the EU actually took steps to reduce power draw in vacuum cleaners.

 

[vacerator]

The size

and shape of the fan design makes a huge difference. Newer vacs can use less amps because the fan vanes are canted to make a strong vortex swirl of air.
Even Miele uses them now. One fan can do the job it used to take two to do.
A vintage Hoover dimension 1000 draws 9.5 or 10 amps, but has 2 stacked fans. It can out clean a single fan 12 amp suction motor.
What was olds has become new again.

 

[liamy1]

Wouldn't...

Be surprised.

Yes the EU did change rules on Vacuums - 1800W is the limit since 2014 and will be 900w from 2017.

 

[henene4]

Amperage isn't everything

Exactly.

I know that with the energy requirements completly new designs came along here in Europe.
The basic idea is that if you seal the whole airpath as good as possible, optimize your airpaths as well as fans for higher airflow rather then high static pressure and use more efficent motors, you can get verry good cleaning with verry little power.

For once, the EU energy label actualy works really well for comparing. There are still "old style" vacuums out there on sale, and, while they only reach class D-F in energy usage (which is calculated on the highest possible power setting), they often don't exceed class B in either hardwood or carpet cleaning.
The "new" designs reach efficency class A while achieving A in both cleaning tests. Or, B in carpet cleaning, but therefor only are 58dB-62dB loud.

So, while the motors are certanly less powerfull, a lot of engeneering went into compensating for that. Cleaning is not compromised in most cases.

 

[brisnat81]

We went from 2400watts with our Old Miele to 1200watts with the new one, its significantly quieter and best of all no longer like a space heater that follows you around. The cleaning performance is the same, and it has the same Filter and bag as the old one.

The one feature I cant get used to is Auto where the Power level rises and falls based on the surface you're vacuuming, a Vacuum should be like a lawnmower, one power level unless you change it