25 Home Purchases That Are Worth Spending a Little Extra

You don't have to touch these toilets to flush! Just wave your hand over a small metal disk and out rushes a minimal amount of water, because wave flush toilets are also low flow. It's true that a hands-free toilet may sound a little decadent, but it's still worth the purchase! Just think about how much money (and water) you'll be saving with this low-flow wonder!  

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Doorbells with cameras and speakers send a video feed to a phone app so you can monitor your property to keep it secure even when you're out of town. These may be expensive, but you can’t really put a price on safety and security!

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Light filtering cellular window shades with triple-cells are the ultimate in trapping air around your windows to make the room warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Plus, they’ll give you more privacy than standard shades!

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A third rack for washing large knives, spatulas, and lids is well worth an added $100-$150. Additionally, it means you’ll be able to fit more dishes into one load.

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Metal roofs can be expected to last about 60 years. They are lightweight, weather resistant, and fireproof. Plus, some insurance companies offer up to a 30% reduction in premiums for a metal roof!

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Unlike high-maintenance wood decking, composite decking is durable and requires only a yearly washing with soapy water. Many composite materials come with a 25-year warranty, so it’s also a safe choice.

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Convection ovens circulate air to use the oven's heat more efficiently and reduce cooking times. You'll pay a few hundred dollars extra but use 20% less energy than with a conventional oven.

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Variable-capacity gas furnaces with up to 98.7% efficiency cost several thousand dollars more to purchase, but they can improve air quality, operate quietly, and save you up to 23% in operating costs.

Double-paned windows can be as much as 50% more efficient than single-paned windows. Since windows account for about half of heating and cooling requirements, your energy savings will be significant.

Variable-speed air conditioners with humidity control give you double energy savings, and modulated units use less energy. With lower humidity, you can set the thermostat higher.

A storage water heater is sometimes a better choice than tankless, but make sure it has a thermal resistance value of R-12 to R-25 and is properly sized for your household.

An Energy Star certification means an appliance is the most efficient in its class, not necessarily the most efficient available. Refrigerators with freezers on top are 20% more efficient than side-by-side, so keep that in mind the next time you’re in the market.

Keep out flies, gnats, mosquitoes, beetles, bees, wasps, and yellow jackets by screening in your porch. Your outdoor time will be much more enjoyable, and you might reduce the risk of an infestation.

Choose Energy Star light fixtures that use 70-90% less energy, distribute light more efficiently, and last 15-25 years longer than traditional light fixtures. This investment is guaranteed to cut down on replacement and repair costs.

A fireplace insert draft-proofs your wood-burning fireplace and eliminates the loss of 8% of your furnace-heated air. Its shell also keeps heat in the room, which will reduce your energy costs.

Having a built-in sound system in your living room is extremely convenient. It looks much better than having speakers sitting around on your surfaces, but it also significantly enhance your movie watching experience. It’s a must for any movie-buffs.

Natural light is a game changer in any house, but hallways and interior spaces don’t get enough, usually. Installing skylights or tube lights in the ceiling can make all the difference. It costs more upfront, but it can help lower your electric bill if you receive enough natural light to skip the bulbs during the day.

Hopping out of the shower to an icy tile floor in the winter is no fun. Heated bathroom floors are one of those little luxuries you’ll never regret. There are several different options to choose from so cost may vary, but no matter what they can increase the value of your house in the future. 

If you have a large family that requires a lot of hot water, a tankless water heater is the only way to go. As soon as your turn on the water, a tankless heater will quickly create that hot water and keep on heating fresh water until you turn the dial to off. You can say goodbye those morning fights about who used all the hot water.

If you live in a city or an area that has questionable water, it’s worth it to install a built-in water purification system. You won’t have to deal with the unsightly water purifiers of old or drink water that contains all kinds of hard minerals. 

Excessive moisture can wreak havoc on a home, especially in the bathrooms. By installing a humidity controlled exhaust fan, you reduce the risk of moisture damage to your walls and floors. In the long term, it can save you major money. 

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You can never have too many electrical outlets. Placing some inside the drawers in your kitchen and bathrooms is pure genius! It keeps a clean look in those spaces, and give you a designated, yet hidden, spot to charge your devices and use your bathroom tools. 

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Closet storage makes life easier and more organized. Paying for built-in shelves and drawers of various sizes is a worthwhile investment in your home. It looks nicer than the kind of DIY storage you get from Target, lasts longer, and increases the value in your home. 

If you can swing it, a central vacuum system will change your life. They make cleaning your home significantly easier (you’ll never have to lug a giant vacuum around again!) and add value to your home. All you have to do is attach the hose to the hookup in each room, quickly suck the dirt up, and move on the next room. 

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Trash compactors are a godsend for households that tend to collect a lot of garbage. By using a trash compactor, you reduce the number of times you have to take out the trash each week, and save space in your outdoor trash cans. It’s even better to install two, one for trash and one for recycling, so you can save space and help the planet at the same time.

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