More Intercom Information

We Salute our Veterans

Today's blog post doesn't include any intercom spin, just a big thanks to all those who have served and are serving in the military. Roger is a Vietnam vet and Nancy, our shipping manager, served during the Gulf War.  Our son Micah is at the University of Tampa on a full ROTC scholarship, so he will soon be entering the military.  We have a special place in our hearts for all those who sacrifice daily to protect our freedoms.

I found this great site, adoptaplatoon.com that provides you with opportunities to support our troops.  Just click on the links to their current campaigns to find out how you can help.  Adopt A Platoon

...and thank a veteran, today...

Successful Upgrade of an M&S N440 Intercom to a M&S DMC

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, we promise our customers if they send good quality photos of their DIY jobs, we'll post them on our blog.  Here are some before and after photos, along with an email, from another successful intercom upgrade done by one of our highly skilled customers.

Hi Renee,

Everything went well with the install. Both my wife and I are Ham radio operators and the old N440 system was sensitive to RFI (radio frequency interference).This new M&S system is not and is a big improvement.

Thanks,

Dave A.

If you are considering upgrading your older M&S intercom or Nutone intercom, we have an exclusive Intercom Upgrade Wizard .  I recently devoted a whole blog to the Wizard.  Just start plugging in your information, like the model of your older system, or the number of wires you have, and when you are finished you will have a complete list of all the items you will need to upgrade your system.  If you are wondering if you have to replace your wiring, the Intercom Upgrade Wizard will tell you....if you are wondering if you need to replace your speakers, the Intercom Upgrade Wizard will tell you...if you are wondering about update frames, the Intercom Upgrade Wizard will tell you...if you are wondering who's going to play in the World Series, the Wizard has no idea!

If you want more information, feel free to call us at 1-800-221-8227 and our folks will be glad to help you.(unlike the Intercom Upgrade Wizard, they may have an idea about who's going to pay in the Series!)  We have decades of experience installing intercoms and we have the widest variety of systems available on the internet.  You don't have to wait on hold while you call the manufacturer for tech assistance...you can always reach a live intercom expert at Central Vacuum Stores...also check out our Intercom DIY library for tons of information.

 

Customer Tackles Nutone Intercom Upgrade IMA3003 to IMA3303

Our customers are the best.  Randy Palmer recently upgraded his Nutone intercom to a new IMA3303WH.  We gave Randy lots of tech support...You can always call the factory for help, but when you buy from us there's no need to call the factory, we have trained experts standing by to assist you.  Randy was so pleased, he sent us this blow by blow account of his experience and included a picture of the finished product.  We've also got an interactive intercom upgrade wizard on our site to help you with the process.  Call us at 1-800-221-8227 if you're thinking of tackling a job like this. And now, without further delay....here's Randy's post.... 


Attached is a picture of my finished intercom installation.  We upgraded from a 20-year old Nutone 3003 to a new 3303 model.  The old intercom was installed over a desk in the kitchen.  We decided to move the refrigerator to that space.  To accommodate the refrigerator, I removed the old desk, cabinets, and intercom and built a new wall to encase it.  As I built the wall, I rerouted the old intercom wiring to the new master unit in the new wall.

 

Originally, I was going to pay a contractor to install the new master unit.  I'm reasonably handy around the house, but didn't think I had the skills to do the install myself.  I didn't want to spend any more money on that part of the refrigerator project and so I was going to forgo new speakers, etc.  The old outside speakers didn't work but given the price I was going to pay for the master unit install, I figured the additional cost to have the outside speakers replaced would be hard to justify.

 

I was just about ready to commit to the contractor when I stumbled upon the Central Vacuum website.  The more I reviewed the site, the more confident I became that I might actually be able to do the install myself with the support offered.  I realized that for the money I was planning to spend with the contractor for just a master unit, I could buy the master unit, all new inside and outside speakers, an auxiliary music speaker, and a door chime from Central Vacuum.  The commitment of technical support persuaded me to go ahead and place the order.  The sales reps were very helpful in the ordering process and I got everything delivered to my house in Virginia in just a few days.

 

While I had a few anxious moments during the installation, overall everything went smoothly.  I just took my time and followed the instructions provided,  When I got confused about how a component was to be installed, all I had to do was send an email to Central Vacuum and I got a quick and informative response.  I was especially concerned about the door chime after I realized that the old doorbell was actually a completely separate system.  But again, Central sent me a wiring diagram to use for my situation that was easy to follow and worked flawlessly.

 

Needless to say, everything works beautifully.  Overall, the system is very functional and the door chime is a huge improvement over our old door bell system.  I can't say enough about how helpful Central Vacuum was in helping me get so much more value for my money.

 

Attached is a picture of my new wall and my new Nutone 3303.

 

Replace a Nutone 3003 Intercom: You Can Get by With a Little Help from Your Friends at Central Vacuum Stores

We've been installing intercom systems in our local area for 28 years. We have years of experience with Nutone, M&S, Valet, Aiphone, and many others.  For the past 10 years we have taken our expertise to the entire country via the Internet.  If you would like to replace an out of date intercom...give us a call at 1-800-221-8227.  We will be glad to help you with all the tech support you need...and remember...at Central Vacuum Stores tech support is always free.  Here's what a recent customer had to say about the tech support we gave him...


The system is in, working fine,  and my experience was entirely positive. As a rank amateur  who is no no electrical wizard, I'm thrilled with my ability to have replaced my 20 year old Nutone 3003 system (which had ceased functioning properly in several respects due to a few too many power surges), with a new Nutone 3303. I was a bit intimidated at first by the mass of wiring to the master unit of the old system, and the a/c wiring required for the second transformer and the surge protector which the prior system never had, but with the help of about 7 phone calls with Roger (on a Saturday, no less) he talked me through the the process (including correcting the results of one wrong move on my part which required a resetting of the system).  My system had two front door bell/speakers one of which had never  worked properly,  4 interior speakers 1 of which had never worked, and 1 exterior patio speaker which had somehow become defective (perhaps due to the thriving ant's nest I found inside it)! As Roger diagnosed, one of the door bell speakers had been incorrectly wired all along,  and all the other speakers, once replaced, are each working fine.  And I love the fact that the 3303 can control the radio remotely from every speaker. I had rarely used the radio in the 3003 system because it could not be adequately controlled from all parts of the house, but  the 3303 solved that problem! Your order system was pleasant, prompt and efficient (I ordered the 1 outdoor speaker separately so it took me 2 orders to get it right) and I could not have done the  
installation without your patient and courteous telephone help with that. Than you Central Vacuum. - Tom, Miami
(PS - feel free to use this, but do not publish my full name or email  
address, please)

Nutone Intercom Upgrade: Photos from a Customer

I have said it before, and I'll say it again...our customers never cease to amaze me.  They are smart, and innovative, resourceful and generous.  Yes, generous.  The other day a customer sent a detailed description of their recent intercom upgrade, and they even included numbered photos.  Take a look and notice the advice this customer includes at the bottom of the page.(Just click on the picture to enlarge.)Send us pictures of your installation project and we'll include then in this blog or send us a video and we'll post it on our YouTube channel.

Nutone IM5000 Intercom Installation Success

If you are considering installing an intercom system in your new or existing structure, it is important to purchase from a company with experience and expertise.  Some folks install these things with no technical advice, other than the installation manual.  Others need a few pointers, and then some need step by step assistance.  Our company has been installing intercoms for almost thirty years, and we have technical experts standing by our phones to help you every step of the way.  Believe it or not, we never charge for our advice and we offer our assistance to everyone, whether you bought it from us or not.  We do this because we treat everyone like they are our customer, because we want them to be our customer. Here's a recent email from a customer who installed the Nutone IM5000 with help from our expert staff.

Renee:

 

This is my 2nd experience buying from Central Vac.  I bought a power unit and blender a couple of years ago.

 

When I became interested in a new intercom, I was pleased to find that you folks stocked what I wanted,remembering my past experience ordering from Mary, I called to order it.  I had some questions and she turned me over to Roger and he had all the answers that I sought.  Both Mary & Roger are very personable and professional.  I have had a couple of glitches with my system and Roger has been available, friendly and responsive to my problem.

 

It is refreshing, to say the least, to deal with your firm.  In the future I will buy all I can from Central Vac as well as recommend you to others

 

Sincerely

 

Steve B.

Athens, Mi.

Thanks to our Military

                   

                                                      

Today is Thanksgiving blog day, and this picture looks like a real Thanksgiving to me!  Roger is a Vietnam Vet, our shipping manager, Nancy, was in the Navy, and our son, Micah is in ROTC at the University of Tampa....we appreciate our military and the job they do.  We appreciate that they sacrifice to protect the freedom we enjoy...A big thanks to all our servicemen and women, everywhere....Here's a salute to you...

Upgrade an Older Nutone Intercom - It's a No Brainer (Almost)

Replacing an older Nutone intercom is something most do-it-yourselfers can do.  We go out of our way to help you...and with over 26 years of installation experience, we know how to help you. Our website is full of detailed information on upgrading your system and in addition to that, we stand by our phones to give you any tech support you might need. Just call 1-800-221-8227. Check out what this customer from Niceville, Florida had to say...she was kind enough to send a photo of the completed job, no wonder she lives in Niceville.

We did get the main unit and speakers installed - here is a picture of the main console.  John's only comment was that the wires from the main unit to the transformers need to be longer.  Other than that the installation was not very difficult.  We had to use wood around the main unit because I had a sewer pipe that came from the upstairs right behind where the old unit was installed.  I did not want to relocate the unit to another place so we used quarter round as a border and that created enough space to mount the unit in the old location.  The unit sounds great.  Thanks you for all your help.

 

Susan B

Niceville, Fl

Replace a Nutone or M&S Intercom Yourself...We Can Help

I feel like a broken record, like Pete and Repeat, but some things bear repeating...

You can install or replace an intercom yourself!  It isn't very difficult, and we have everything you need to complete the task, including free one on one technical advice from experts in the field.  Here are a some more emails from folks just like you who have tackled the job....

Our intercom system is installed and we're absolutely thrilled with the esthetics and the quality of our units.  Thanks so much for being so helpful and making it so easy to do business with you.  And your efficiency and short turn around time for needed exchanges was remarkable.  As it turned we did not need the adapter frame (IA 83) because the new speaker covered the entire area, so will you send me a return authorization number?
Thanks,
Dr. D. Craig

Everything came as ordered.  I installed the retrofit M & S system myself.  All works well and am pleased with my purchase from you.  Thanks.

The products were shipped as promised and everything including the installation went as you said it would - and your customer service was there to help when needed. Thank you for being informative and for having an excellent customer service department.
Michelle - Dallas, Texas

Am very happy with the Intercom System that I purchased.  It was easily installed and works great.  The price, delivery, and the salesperson were enough to make me come back and shop at your store. Thank you.  Glenn G.

I am very impressed with Central Vacuums selection and service.  The website is very well organized and intuitive.  The checkout is easy.  You clearly care about your customers and your brand image.  I never would have guessed that you had such an extensive selection of home automation products by the name of the company, but that name will stick with me now whenever I need to find just the right addition to my home system for a great price.

Visit our Intercom Knowledge Base to learn more about installing these products yourself.

Intercom Installation Troubleshooting

We are thinking of starting a mutual admiration society.  Our customers are always thanking us for the technical assitance we offer them as they tackle their projects and complete them successfully.  What we want you all to know is that we admire our customers for their resourcefulness and ingenuity (plus I think alot of the emails they send me are really entertaining!).  I think tackling an intercom installation project on their own qualifies them for a spot in the DIY Hall of Fame Museum.  (Years ago, Roger and I were guests of the Hoover Company in North Canton, Ohio.  We actually stayed in the Hoover House and they took us to the Football Hall of Fame in Canton.  Not being a football fan, I think the DIY Hall of Fame would probably interest me more!) 

Yesterday, Roger helped our customer, Terry, with the installation of an intercom door speaker with a doorbell button.  After about ten minutes, the unit was in and working perfectly.  Terry was so delighted he wanted to buy Roger a beer, but seeing that he lives in another state and, sorry Terry, Roger hates beer, he decided to send an email instead. 

We just bought a replacement doorbell for our home, and installed it...   It did not work.  Have you had this happen to you?  I called the number on the top of the screen and asked for help.  Roger was great!   He took me through some trouble shooting steps  and we got it working.  I could have bought him a beer.  Thanks again for all your help,
TW

Check out our intercom knowledge base for lots of diy help, or call us at 1-800-221-8227 to talk to one of our experts.