by Shaun Leary | Jan 23, 2018 | Blog
An elevator is a platform, either enclosed or open, designed to lift freight to higher floors inside a building. Elevators tend to be a uniform element of any tall residential or commercial building, and have even made their way into homes.
But since elevators are a vehicle of the masses, they are automatically prone to accidents, some of which can be gruesome. This raises the question: How dangerous are they? The answer might surprise you. As it turns out, elevators are actually safer than stairs!
Stairs vs. Elevators – Risk Statistics
In the US, elevators make 18 billion passenger-filled trips every year, as per ConsumerWatch.com. The Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission projects that all those yearly elevator malfunctions lead to around 27 deaths on average. Not surprisingly, a majority of people at risk are the mechanics whose job is to fix those faulty elevators. As calculated by the LA Times, elevator fatality rate rounds of to 0.00000015% per trip in general. This percentage is even lower when it comes to the general public.
On the other hand, approximately 1,600 people succumb to death or debilitating injuries after falling down the stairs, as per data collected from the Center for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics!
What About Home Elevators?
Home elevator installations are no longer exclusive to luxurious residences owing to the availability of much more cost-friendly options. As per the National Association of Home Builders, around 12% of current or potential homebuyers considered residential elevators an essential or desirable feature, up from 8% in 2004. Despite its growing popularity, there are certain myths and misconceptions about a home elevator installation that prevents a lot of homeowners to avail this facility. Here we will be looking at 5 of those myths.
1. Home Elevators Aren’t Safe Enough
A lot of people are under the impression that home elevators, and even elevators in general, are only held up by a single rope or cable that can snap anytime and leave passengers badly injured or worse! This is not true. Home elevators are actually supported by multiple strong steel cables, where each cable has the capacity to support a fully-loaded car. There has only been a single documented elevator free-fall incident that happened in the 1940s when a plane collided with the Empire State Building, thus damaging the cables of one of the elevators.
2. Over-Trafficking the Home Elevator Can Lead to Brake Failure
While overcrowding the elevator is not recommended, there is no real harm involved. That’s because an elevator that is weighed down too much will stay stationary in place until the excess weight has been lifted off. A majority of home elevators use intelligent technology that enables it to sense when it is overloaded, thereby preventing movement until some of the passengers have stepped out.
3. You are In Danger if The Power Goes Out
Elevators nowadays come with a built-in “Emergency Lowering” feature, where the elevator descends to the lowest floor possible in case the power goes out. Once the vehicle lands on the ground, the doors unlock, allowing passengers to step out safely.
Why Home Elevators are Safer Than Taking the Stairs?
As we learned from the aforementioned statistics, taking the stairs can actually be more dangerous than riding in the elevator. Not only are more prone to missing a step and falling, you also have a higher chance of twisting your ankle or pinching a nerve in case you take a wrong step at the wrong time.
Furthermore, if you tend to get up late at night to grab a glass of water or enjoy an occasional drink then taking the stairs may not be the best idea. Having a home elevator is also beneficial for small children and less mobile individuals, to help minimize accidents that might take place by going up and down the stairs. Some homes may also be able to control access to an elevator.
All in all, home elevators not only offer functionality, but also reduce the risk of unfortunate mishaps that could befall you if you’d rather take the stairs. With all the advances in elevator technology that are continuously being made today, the experience of a home elevator has become a very safe and comfortable one.
by Shaun Leary | Jan 17, 2018 | Blog
If you’re someone who likes aesthetic but also loves the value and convenience that a residential elevator brings to your home, we’re excited to introduce you to the Savaria Vuelift, which flawlessly combines both functionality and design.
Unlike other lifts, the Vuelift elevator does not need a hoist way, so it can be installed into your existing home or added easily into an active renovation. The elevator itself can also fit through hallways, doorways, and up staircases with no extra equipment required. It’s truly the mark of convenience. While a 4″ pit is recommended, Vuelift can be installed without a pit and with a small ramp or short step into the elevator at the lower level – and can be configured for travel up to 42.5 feet with as many as six stops.
Key features
- Automatic operation
- Illuminated push-button hall call stations
- Bifold cab gate
- Balcony attachment or through-the-floor setup
- Integrated touch-pad phone
- Automatic on/off LED cab light
- Textured semi gloss black powder-coat frame
Optional features
- Panoramic cab ceiling
- White, silver, or custom powder-coat frame color
- Straight through or 90 degree entry/exit configurations
- Pitless with short ground floor ramp (acrylic only)
- Up to 6 stops
The Vuelift has beautiful visual appeal that would make it an excellent design feature in your home
The Vuelift boasts 360-degree-views with clear acrylic (840 lb capacity) or low-iron silica glass (up to 950 lb capacity). The octogonal prism design is reminiscent of a multi-faceted crystal – a sleek, modern centerpiece for your home.
The Vuelift is also completely customizable. The metal portions of the Vuelift are powder-coated to virtually any color you’d like, which means that you can choose what best suits your home: a seamless integration or a pop of color for contrast and character.
Are elevators in the home are dangerous, expensive, and impractical?
Absolutely not. In fact, safety is guaranteed & maintenance is minimal. With the Vuelift, there are no corners cut. All the parts go by (or even beyond) the most strenuous safety regulations to ensure you and your family stay safe.
A hidden cost with a home elevator is always maintenance. Every machine in your home will need to be maintained if you want it performing at 100%, but some home elevators definitely require more than others. The Vuelift is energy-efficient, and it just uses two heavy-duty cables to lift you up and down. The minimalism used in both the visual and structural design of the Vuelift means that you need very little maintenance to ensure you a product that will last for years.
Safety features
- Emergency battery back-up for cab lighting and lowering
- Manual lowering
- Emergency alarm and stop switch
- Over-speed governor
- Safety brakes
- Elevator door interlocks
- In-use indicator lights on hall call stations
Where can I get a Vuelift Elevator?
The price of your elevator depends on your home, so contact us at Celtic Elevators to so we can provide you with a thorough consultation and estimate. If you’re looking for an elevator that has both style and substance, check out the Vuelift. It will be the centerpiece of your home for a long time to come.
Check out the full brochure for the Savaria Vuelift here.
by Shaun Leary | Jan 17, 2018 | Blog
If you or a loved one have trouble traveling up and down your home, a residential elevator just might be the solution. When people think of elevators, they tend to think of businesses or other service buildings, or perhaps in a mansion. But an elevator can be in your home, and in this post, we’ll talk about the pricing and the costs of a home elevator.
So lets get down to million dollar question..
Q) How much do home elevators cost?
A) Well, There is real no exact price for a residential elevators. The cost will depend on many factors as I will explain below. But it’s best to get quotes around your area and then go with the best fit to your needs. Having said all that, Here are some factors that go into the cost of a home elevator:
Building Permit
When installing an elevator, you may need to have a building permit. The cost of the permit will vary depending on where you live, or if you need one at all, and can cost anywhere from $100 to over $1,000. Go to your nearest city hall and see what you need to do so you can be in the clear legally.
Size of Your Home
The more floors the elevator will need to stop on, the more it will cost you. If your house is more than two floors, consider that when thinking about if you need a residential elevator. Having an extra floor can cost you an extra 10 grand.
Size of the Elevator
Naturally, a larger elevator will cost you more than a small one will.
Type of Elevator
There are different types of elevators you can choose from, and we will highlight the main two, which are hydraulic and pneumatic. Hydraulic is an elevator that is powered by an arm lifting it up, and it usually runs smoother and quieter. It’s also much more expensive than pneumatic, which is powered by air pressure. Pneumatic elevators are smaller, and tend to be used more in homes, so if you’re getting an elevator, you’ll probably choose pneumatic, which costs around $10,000 on average. A hydraulic can cost you over $30,000, just for a comparison, and is better if you own a business.
Installation
You bought the elevator, so now you have to install it. First, make sure there is space in your home where an elevator can fit. Spare rooms are a good idea. As a last resort, you may have to build more space, which is another post for another time. In this case, we’ll assume you have some space.
Installation costs will depend on what kind of elevator you have, but for an average home, expect around $5,000.
Maintenance
When your home elevator is installed and running, you still need someone to perform maintenance checks on an elevator. The last thing you want is for the elevator to go out while you’re riding it. For an elevator, it will depend on the maintenance services you need, but it can be around $100 a month.
Repairs
If your maintenance team finds a problem with your elevator, they will need to repair it. Costs will vary, but it’s usually around $70 an hour.
The Total
So, how much do residential elevators cost? For an average, two story house, you’re looking at about $15,000 for an elevator after all the expenses are included. Again, this will all depend on size, type, and how many floors you have. You can talk to us and ask for a free estimate and get started!
Elevators Can Pay Off!
Besides helping the disabled, you can use your elevator to save money and even profit in the long run. For example, elevators can be tax write offs if they’re over 7.5% of your total income. We’re no tax experts, so talk to a professional for more information.
Besides that, elevators are also a great way to add value to your house. The value goes up if they are installed as your home is built. When you sell your home, you can get over half the amount you spent on the elevator back in your pocket, and this is just the minimum. Sometimes, you can get more.
Residential elevators can be a bit costly at first, but it’s a small price to pay if you or someone you know is having trouble going between floors, whether they’re elderly or disabled. If you have had questions about home elevators, feel free to contact us.
by Shaun Leary | Dec 31, 2017 | Blog
When you think of an elevator inside a private residence, you probably imagine some mansion owned by a celebrity, installed just because they didn’t want to carry heavy items up and down their stairs. However, this is becoming less of a case.
Times change when it comes to technology. Remember when the HD TV seemed like a luxury item? Or the cell phone? As time goes on, certain items become more affordable to the general public and less of an item that is only accessible by the rich and famous.
Examples of Luxury Converting to Essentials
To give you a more detailed example, in 1955, a small black and white TV could cost you around $100, which doesn’t seem like a lot until you remember inflation. Adjusted for inflation, you’re paying over $900 for a TV that had a fraction of uses as a modern TV has. Nowadays, you can get a giant 4K with $900.
Then there’s the dishwasher. In the 1970s, a dishwasher could cost you around $1,500 when you adjust for inflation. Nowadays, you can get a good one for a fraction of that price. These are including in any basic apartment building, and many people can’t leave without it.
Let’s look at the microwave. It’s a staple of any home, poor or rich. You can buy a cheap microwave for around $30, and it gets the job done. In the 1950s, the first commercial microwave was in the market. How much did it cost? Adjusted for inflation, you could be paying as much as $20,000 for one. Imagine paying the price of a car just so you can reheat some leftovers! Find out how much a residential elevator cost now a days.
Finally, we have the home computer. The Commodore 64 could cost you around $1,500 in today’s money. The 64 in the title is how much RAM it had, which was 64 KB. Nowadays, you need at least 4GB of RAM just to run Windows 10 well.
The Future is now
The point is, technology marches on. We’ll soon see 3D printing and alternative fueled cars for less and less too. Same with home elevators, which have more than just a use of convenience. Home elevators are seen as useful tool for the disabled.
About 50 million Americans are living with some kind of disability. Those who find stairs physically taxing, and live in a home that has stairs, can benefit from an elevator installed in their homes. Even if the person does not have a physical disability, there are other disabilities that a home elevator can help. For example, if someone is prone to fainting or seizures, the last thing they want is to have an episode while walking on some stairs, where they can tumble down or cause serious injury.
Then there’s the elderly. Even if an elderly person is physically fit for their age, one fall down the stairs can put them out for a while. A home elevator is safe for all those situations. Not only that, these elevators can be installed with a phone line or an emergency button in case someone needs assistance.
The prices of home elevators will vary. It’ll depend on your home, how many floors you have, the size of the elevator and the type, and the list goes on. But for only one stop, and for a cheaper model, you can get one installed for an average of $10,000. For many, this is the price of a used car, and can be paid off in time.
Plus, home elevators have other benefits. They’re tax deductible if you’re using it for medical expenses. If you’re planning on reselling your home, they can add value to your house and you can probably get most of the money you spent on the elevator back.
And the price of one just keeps going down. We’re not fortunetellers, so we can’t tell you what the home of the future will bring us. But we can make a safe bet that in the future, home elevators will be more common than you think, being used by the disabled. Even those who just want one for convenience won’t have to be rich to install one.
by Shaun Leary | Dec 28, 2017 | Blog
Having a residential elevator in your home may sound daunting. Since many people are used to seeing elevators in apartment buildings and commercial spaces, they may be concerned about the safety of having it in their own home without an employee managing it. However, when home elevators are properly maintained and installed, yes, they are very safe.
As years have gone by, home elevator technology has advanced to greatly improve the safety of home elevators. Here are just a few factors that keep your residential elevator sage.
Adherence to National Safety Code
Beyond just the functions and technological advancements, there’s a national safety code that all elevators must adhere to in order to be installed. So when you’re getting a residential elevator, you’re getting one that’s coming with the full weight of regulations to ensure it keeps you and your family safe.
REI Controllers
Elevators have come a long way since the days where you needed someone designated to operating the lift. With a Residential Elevators Inc. (REI) controller, you’re able to get real-time diagnostics on how your elevator is running. These devices are smart enough to detect problems and solve them before you even notice them becoming an issue. Plus with functions like auto-lights and auto-homing, your elevator will keep running efficiently no problem.
Infrared Protection
The doors of an elevator can be intimidating to some. However these days, they’re getting better and better at doing their job while keeping you out of harm. With infrared protection, your elevator can detect anything that’s in its path and will prevent itself from closing until the space is open. It’s a function many are used to seeing in elevators, but even more advanced to make those quick judgment calls should someone last second try to hop in or out of the door.
Back-Up Battery
Getting trapped in an elevator is a fear for many people, but it doesn’t have to be a concern with your residential elevator. With a back-up battery, you won’t get stuck inside even if there’s a power outage. Residential elevators also come with a manual lowering device should your power and battery not be functioning as well as a telephone.
Residential elevators are much safer than they may sound to skeptics. Feeling more confident about installing one in your home? Reach out to Celtic Elevators today and we’ll help you find the right model and get you ready to install.
by Shaun Leary | Dec 19, 2017 | Blog
When you’re building your home, you have a number of crucial decisions to make. How many rooms? What material will you use? How are you going to install the plumbing and electrical systems? But perhaps one of the largest and most notable questions you’ll have to ask yourself is how many stories you want your house to be. A multi-story home may seem like a lot, especially if you’re trying to live a minimalist lifestyle, but adding stories to your house is a smart long-term investment. Let’s examine how.
Cost Effective to Build and Live In
For many, the instinct may be to build a single-story home in order to save money. However, that’s not actually the case. As Bensonwood points out, two story homes and taller average out to be less money per square foot. The reason being that the largest costs in building a home often are excavation. For the same square footage that a single-story home would have in relation to a multi-story home, your excavation costs will go up drastically. Building up instead of out is a much better way to get bang for your buck. Not just that, but they’re more energy efficient to live in as well. With a larger surface area to heat, a single-story home is going to cost more to heat.
Better Functionality For Your Family
In The House Shop Plan’s “Building Up Versus Building Out,” they breakdown one of the most prescient factors for adding more stories to your home. In short, it comes down to functionality. Trying to manage your home and family in one story comes with its own sets of problems. Being able to designate simple ideas like bedrooms being upstairs and your living space being down stairs is a luxury only known to multi-story homes.
Having a second story gives you more possibilities to design your life the way you want. You’re not constrained to a single layout that you have you to move across. It leaves room for you to rearrange and create a better living experience. Not to mention, you’re likely going to get a better view with a taller home as well.
Overcoming Obstacles with a Home Elevator
One of the things that makes single-story homes so appealing, especially to baby-boomers, is ease of mobility. Without stairs to deal with, you might think that you’re saving yourself to energy and issues that come with another story. However, a single-story home actually will mean more walking distance across your home so if you have a family member that has issues getting around, a single-story won’t necessarily resolve that.
By installing a home elevator, you can minimize the effort and problems of building up. With the costs you’re saving by building a second story, an elevator isn’t totally out of scope. Celtic Elevator can help install a home elevator that will ease the burden of getting around your house while also adding to the value of your home.
Think you’re ready to make the leap to a second story and add a home elevator? Reach out to us today and we’ll help find the right option for you.
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