Central vacuum system installation tips

I was touring a new home, and one of the features that really interested me was the central vacuum system. It seems like one of these would be really handy. What's involved when you install a central vacuum? Can you share some tips, especially what not to do? - Ray H., Newtown, Pa.

I've been really lucky for the past 25 years in that the last two houses I've lived in both have had a central vacuum system.

I have to tell you that I don't know if I would be able to handle going back to a traditional vacuum that you have to lug around the house.

Perhaps the biggest misconception about central vacuum systems is the myth that they can only be installed when building a new home. That's simply not true. It's absolutely easier to install one when the walls are wide open, but believe me, a talented installer can put one in an existing home with relative ease.

When you toured that new home, you saw outlets on the walls that looked something like an electrical outlet. These have a door that flips open, and the end of the central vac hose plugs into the hole. Small metal contacts inside the outlet cause the remote motor in the vacuum to immediately turn on, and you're ready to work.

The pipe in the walls is two inches in diameter. The inner diameter of the flexible hose that you use to clean with is about 11/4 inches. This is by design, so that it's almost impossible for the pipe hidden in the walls to become clogged. If an object can pass through the flexible hose in your hands, then it can also make it through the walls to the actual vacuum canister.

There are any number of mistakes you can make when installing a central vac system. One is putting in too few outlets. You have to account for furniture being in your way, so the length of the flexible hose doesn't always reach as far as you might think. You'll never regret having too many outlets. The parts needed to do this are inexpensive.

You can make a mistake in where you locate the canister.

Most systems have the motor and the canister as one unit. The motor can be loud, so I recommend putting this out in the garage. The added benefit to this is when you empty the canister or replace the bag, dust is kept out of your home.

Some installers will take a shortcut and not run the exhaust pipe outdoors. Don't fall into this trap. You want the air to exit the house in case it contains very fine dust particles. Always follow the instructions of the manufacturer. If they say to exhaust the machine outdoors, do it.

If you put your canister and motor in your garage, be sure there is an outlet on the machine. If not, then put in a regular outlet in a wall on the garage. It's so handy to be able to use the central vac to clean a car.

Perhaps the most common mistake I see when installers put in a central vac, and one that does exhaust outdoors, is leaving out a fresh-air intake.

A central vacuum consumes vast amount of air when it's turned on. If you have a very tight home, the operation of a central vacuum could possibly cause backdrafting of combustion gases into your home, which could cause carbon-monoxide poisoning. It can also make a house smell like smoke if you have wood-burning fireplaces or wood stoves as the vacuum gets its replacement air by sucking it down a chimney.

Tim Carter is a columnist for Tribune Media Services. He can be contacted through his Web site, www.askthebuilder.com.

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Major changes ahead for mortgage system as U.S. seeks to scale back role in housing

Fundamental changes are probably ahead for the American mortgage system as the federal government pushes to unwind its unprecedented involvement in the housing market.

These changes could significantly raise the down payments demanded by lenders, curtail the availability of long-term mortgages with fixed interest rates, and increase the cost of borrowing in general.

The government's effort to scale back its role in housing could show up in small ways soon. In April, the Federal Housing Administration plans to raise the annual premium it charges borrowers by a quarter of a percentage point. In October, the maximum size of loans that the federal government backs is scheduled to drop to $625,500 from $729,750. The most dramatic proposal - eliminating mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - could take five to seven years.

The thinking is that the government cannot sustain its role in the housing finance system. Federally backed loans make up an outsize share of home purchases - about 90 percent - through Fannie, Freddie and the FHA. Taxpayers have kicked in more than $130 billion to cover Fannie and Freddie losses during the housing crisis, and they could be on the hook for more if the FHA depletes its cash reserves, which are already lower than the level required by law.

All three institutions guarantee that payments will be made to mortgage investors, even when loans go bad. Those guarantees helped keep the housing market from coming to a standstill during the darkest days of the economic crisis.

"But the government is taking on a lot of credit risk," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. "So if loans go bad, it's on the taxpayer. Everyone would find it preferable if the private sector were to take more of the risk."

Loan limits

To that end, the federal government is eager to tackle the "jumbo" loan limits.

In the District and most of its neighboring counties, a temporary federal policy allows the government to back mortgages up to $729,750. Such loans typically carry a lower interest rate than those without government backing, in part because the federal guarantee makes them a safer bet for investors.

"Investors are willing to accept a lower return if their investment is less risky," said Keith Gumbinger, a vice president at HSH Associates.

The Obama administration has supported allowing the maximum loan limit to drop to $625,500 starting Oct. 1 , and Congress is expected to back that move. (Loan limits may be lowered even further for FHA-insured loans, federal officials said, though no details are available.)

Once the cap is lowered, loans larger than $625,500 will fall into the "jumbo" category. Jumbos are perceived to be more risky and therefore often face tougher requirements, such as 30 percent down payments and stellar credit scores.

Standards might ease if the private sector reenters that market, said Eric Gates, president of Apex Home Loans in Rockville. But if the $625,500 cap were in place today, it could lock many potential buyers out, he said.

View the original article here

Major changes ahead for mortgage system as U.S. seeks to scale back role in housing

Fundamental changes are probably ahead for the American mortgage system as the federal government pushes to unwind its unprecedented involvement in the housing market.

These changes could significantly raise the down payments demanded by lenders, curtail the availability of long-term mortgages with fixed interest rates, and increase the cost of borrowing in general.

The government's effort to scale back its role in housing could show up in small ways soon. In April, the Federal Housing Administration plans to raise the annual premium it charges borrowers by a quarter of a percentage point. In October, the maximum size of loans that the federal government backs is scheduled to drop to $625,500 from $729,750. The most dramatic proposal - eliminating mortgage financiers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - could take five to seven years.

The thinking is that the government cannot sustain its role in the housing finance system. Federally backed loans make up an outsize share of home purchases - about 90 percent - through Fannie, Freddie and the FHA. Taxpayers have kicked in more than $130 billion to cover Fannie and Freddie losses during the housing crisis, and they could be on the hook for more if the FHA depletes its cash reserves, which are already lower than the level required by law.

All three institutions guarantee that payments will be made to mortgage investors, even when loans go bad. Those guarantees helped keep the housing market from coming to a standstill during the darkest days of the economic crisis.

"But the government is taking on a lot of credit risk," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. "So if loans go bad, it's on the taxpayer. Everyone would find it preferable if the private sector were to take more of the risk."

Loan limits

To that end, the federal government is eager to tackle the "jumbo" loan limits.

In the District and most of its neighboring counties, a temporary federal policy allows the government to back mortgages up to $729,750. Such loans typically carry a lower interest rate than those without government backing, in part because the federal guarantee makes them a safer bet for investors.

"Investors are willing to accept a lower return if their investment is less risky," said Keith Gumbinger, a vice president at HSH Associates.

The Obama administration has supported allowing the maximum loan limit to drop to $625,500 starting Oct. 1 , and Congress is expected to back that move. (Loan limits may be lowered even further for FHA-insured loans, federal officials said, though no details are available.)

Once the cap is lowered, loans larger than $625,500 will fall into the "jumbo" category. Jumbos are perceived to be more risky and therefore often face tougher requirements, such as 30 percent down payments and stellar credit scores.

Standards might ease if the private sector reenters that market, said Eric Gates, president of Apex Home Loans in Rockville. But if the $625,500 cap were in place today, it could lock many potential buyers out, he said.

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Five Techniques to Properly Prepare for Your Claims System Development

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Official: Mercedes follows Chrysler, chooses Garmin for next-gen infotainment system

Garmin to Provide In-Dash Navigation for Future Mercedes-Benz Models

OLATHE, Kan./April 2, 2013/Business Wire - Garmin® International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced that Daimler AG has selected Garmin as global navigation provider for future Mercedes-Benz models. Garmin's award-winning navigation will be fully integrated into Mercedes-Benz infotainment systems over the next four years.

"Being selected by Daimler as their global tier-one navigation solution partner is a testament to Garmin's growing capability and exceptional product quality in the auto OEM space," said Matt Munn, Garmin managing director automotive OEM. "We are honored by Daimler's confidence in Garmin and we look forward to working with them to deliver an exceptional navigation experience for the world's most discerning drivers."

Building upon Garmin's easy-to-use interface, advanced navigation functionality will be seamlessly integrated into the Mercedes-Benz infotainment systems to provide an efficient and intuitive experience. In addition to displaying navigation and maps on the in-dash display, users will have access to important driver information, such as next turn, at a glance on a second display, positioned behind the steering wheel. The Mercedes-Benz infotainment systems also allow users to control navigation functions through the system's rotary controller or via voice command functionality. Furthermore, Garmin's next-generation navigation software will provide critical positioning information for Advanced Driver Assistance (ADAS) functionalities of the vehicle to assist drivers in challenging situations.

Garmin's automotive OEM group utilizes the company's long-standing experience in user interface and hardware design from its automotive, avionics and marine segments to develop innovative in-car navigation, telematics and infotainment systems. Garmin's broad range of in-vehicle electronics for the automotive industry includes full infotainment and telematics systems, navigation software, location-based services, and integrated portable navigation systems. Garmin has dedicated automotive OEM offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.

About Garmin International Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin's products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. A component of the S&P 500 index, Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin is a registered trademark of Garmin Ltd.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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