Archives for March 2017

When it comes to choosing a residential elevator manufacturer, there’s no doubt that you have a lot to consider. Not only do you need to find the perfect elevator for your given circumstance, you must also track down a reputable and reliable residential elevator manufacturer with a history of exceeding the expectations of its clients and delivering results without compromise. As anyone who’s had a bad experience with a contractor can tell you, taking a job and finishing a job are two very different things.At PVE, we’ve carved out a reputation as one of the most innovative residential elevator manufacturers in the world. Our pneumatic vacuum elevators use patented, one-of-a-kind technology to provide vertical mobility solutions for almost any residential application. Their small footprint, minimal energy requirements, and high safety ratings make them the best home elevators in the world; we’re proud of every single elevator we have installed.

We manufacture three distinct models of in-home elevator — one for individuals, one for up to three people, and one completely wheelchair-accessible. All can be installed with minimal work in your home; in fact, installations are often completed in as little as three days. Unlike traditional lifts, which require heavy machinery, weights, and other hardware, our pneumatic elevators are completely self-contained.

We are the original designer and manufacturer of the pneumatic vacuum elevator. No other residential elevator manufacturer has access to our technology, and no other residential elevator manufacturer has the reputation we have for beautiful, functional installs. We’ve even placed our elevators on yachts — try that with a traditional elevator design!

PVE is the world leader in the design and manufacture of pneumatic vacuum residential elevators. As an industry trendsetter and a technology innovator, we understand that new advances in technology always come with questions; one of the most common questions we hear about our high-tech pneumatic elevators is, “Are they safe?” We hear it at trade shows, we hear it from clients, and we hear it in our email inbox when someone is curious about our technology. The short answer is that yes, our pneumatic vacuum elevators are 100 percent safe. But here are more details that might help you better understand the basics of the design which help ensure your safety while riding our lifts:

Air Pressure Protection
The first safety principle comes from the way in which our residential elevators work. Because the lift effect is created by the removal of air above the lift car, there is always a pocket of air below the car. In the event that the elevator loses power, the air below the car forms a cushion that allows the car to descend safely to the ground level. Unlike a traditional elevator suspended by cables, there’s no risk of a freefall.

Emergency Backup
Despite the fact that the design of the lift ensures the car always descends safely during a power loss or other failure, we’ve added a second level of security just to be sure. All PVE elevators have a fully functional mechanical brake system in place that will stop the car in the event that the air pressure is somehow compromised. In short, each lift has several layers of safety protection designed to keep you safe.

At PVE, we manufacture several different models of innovative home elevators. Each is designed with a specific purpose — the PVE30, for example, is intended for tight spaces and single-passenger mobility. In this post, we’d like to take a closer look at our largest elevator, the PVE52. This particular model is built with enough space to be wheelchair-accessible, and is thus a popular lift for those individuals looking to stay vertical without having to leave their wheelchairs. Despite its size, the PVE52 is still far smaller than a traditional home elevator and requires far less time for installation.

Getting Technical The PVE52 has the biggest footprint of any of our home elevators, measuring in at an external diameter of 52 11/16 inches. The internal cabin has a diameter of 43 1/2 inches. This provides maximum space for either one person in a wheelchair or up to three passengers; the lift has a total available rise of 35 feet and supports up to 525 pounds. The PVE52 is flexible in its deployment and we can set the lift up to make two, three, or four stops depending on the size of your home.

The best thing about the PVE52, as with all of our home elevators, is that installation is quick and painless. Most installations can be completed in as little as three days without a need for major home renovations. Once installed, the PVE52 needs maintenance only once every four to five years or 15,000 rides. The high-tech pneumatic tube design ensures that moving parts are minimal and the lift is exceptionally energy efficient. The PVE52 even offers automatic LED interior lighting and a fan to ensure your rides are always convenient and comfortable.

If you’ve decided to install a residential elevator in your home and have moved on to the shopping process, odds are you feel a bit overwhelmed with all of the options. There are plenty of residential elevator manufacturers out there vying for your attention, some relying on traditional lift technology and others (like PVE) utilizing cutting-edge pneumatic tube innovations. Parsing all of this information can be difficult for someone new to the world of elevators, but it is in the details that you will discover whether a particular lift solution is right for you. With that in mind, PVE has put together a short list of features to look for when shopping for a new home elevator:

Construction Time

Installing a residential elevator can require substantial remodeling work. While PVE’s elevators are low impact in design and require only a few days of install time, completing the work necessary for a traditional elevator can take weeks. Long construction times raise the cost of the elevator and increase the impact on your home life, while PVE’s requirements are quick and easy.

Energy Efficiency

How will a new residential elevator affect your energy bill? Our pneumatic elevators are designed to be energy efficient, using power only to raise the lift and relying on air pressure to lower it. Traditional elevator designs that operate using oil products and heavy weights will use quite a bit of power; you’ll certainly notice a difference the next time the power company sends you a bill.

Safety Mechanisms

Elevators are safer now than they have ever been, but asking about a lift’s safety features is still a good idea. PVE’s residential elevators are all protected by physics (air under the lift allows for a slow, safe descent in the event of a power outage) as well as traditional lift safety mechanisms (emergency brake).

Lift Capability

How many passengers can the lift accommodate? How many floors can it reach? These are critical questions that need to be answered before installation begins. PVE’s lifts are available in several models designed for different numbers of people or even wheelchairs, which require a wider entry port.

One of the most difficult elements of adding a home elevator to your existing house comes in the form of the construction and remodeling necessary to make room for the lift and ensure it functions correctly. Traditional elevator designs – those depending on pulleys, cables, pistons, and counterweights – need an enormous amount of space and require massive remodeling work. Installing a traditional elevator can take weeks and will dramatically change the interior of your home.

At PVE, however, we’ve created a better vertical mobility solution. Our pneumatic vacuum elevators are completely self-contained and do not require a shaft or the addition of an entire room’s worth of equipment, which means that their installation won’t require huge changes to your home and can be completed quickly and efficiently. In fact, most of our home elevator installs can be completed in as few as two to three days. Our elevators require so little space and construction that we’ve even installed them on yachts.

Because our elevators rely on cutting-edge vacuum technology, there are no cables or weights involved in the system. Every PVE elevator features a stunningly-designed outer tube that provides for almost a 360-degree view and makes an attractive addition to any home. Our elevators are designed with safety and efficiency in mind, but we’ve also put an immense amount of effort into ensuring they are aesthetically pleasing. There is no better looking home elevator solution.

PVE is the inventor and manufacturer of the pneumatic home elevator. We’ve spent years perfecting our designs and have installed over 6,500 units to date. Opting for one of our pneumatic elevators over a traditional elevator design will ensure you end up with an energy efficient, visually appealing lift that won’t require months of construction or a dramatic overhaul of your current home floor plan.