Dear Angie: What is the best vacuum to pick up pet hair and cat litter? –
“Landfill,” Paris, Tenn.

Dear Landfill: We don’t collect ratings for products at Angie’s List; we focus on services, so I can’t advise you on a specific brand. However, we have a lot of reviews on vacuum cleaner sales and service companies. I recommend you look for a highly rated local company and ask their advice on specific brands and types.

That said, you might consider adding a central -- or whole-house -- vacuum. Many vacuum sales professionals have told us that many of their central vacuum customers are animal clinics and hair salons. These powerful units can be added to most existing homes.

A central vacuum system works via a built-in system of pipes that run through the interior walls of your home and are connected to a large vacuum system, which is typically located in a garage or basement. Suction ports resembling electrical outlets are added to walls throughout the home, allowing the user to easily attach and detach a hose and move from room to room without hauling around a heavy vacuum.

The system is designed to be more powerful than a traditional portable vacuum, offer less noise, and reduce the recirculation of dust and dirt into the home’s air by utilizing an external venting system similar to a dryer vent. Many upright and canister units actually recycle dirt, dust and pet hair back into the air. A central vacuum system eliminates that issue by depositing the dirt – and hair – outside the house.

Central vacuums cost more than most traditional handheld or upright vacuums. Most systems start at around $1,000, but they’re designed to last for at least 15 years, and most last twice that. Central vacuums don’t have the weight of a portable unit, either. They hold more, so you’re not emptying them or changing filters all the time. The units are also much quieter than traditional vacuums. They typically require minimal maintenance. Because of the large capacity of the units, they often don’t need to be emptied more than a few times a year.

Installing a central vacuum system is not a do-it-yourself project. Find local installation experts who can do the work, get references from prior clients and check out the company’s reputation before you hire. Installers do not need to be licensed, but they should have proof of training from the product manufacturers and/or certification on installation of central systems from the Vacuum Dealers Trade Association.

Angie Hicks is the founder of Angie’s List, a provider of reviews you can trust on contractors, doctors, dentists and other service professionals. More than 1 million consumers across the U.S. use Angie’s List to help make tough hiring decisions easier.