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We all have our favorites when it comes to items we consider must-haves for our home. However, those fundamentals vary from person to person, depending upon personal taste and lifestyle. While one person's top ten list may include accessories and items for a great kitchen, another person's essentials may include only outdoor types of home accessories. Unlike renting, home ownership presents concerns for both indoors and outdoors. When you buy a house, you get all that goes with it ... from the yard to the heating/cooling system ... from the driveway to the attic. It is all yours to both enjoy and to maintain. Since it is all yours, you want to be practical here. These ten essentials help you make the most of your home for you and your family. Not only will they make maintaining your home efficient and convenient, they will also ensure that you enjoy it for years to come. Indoor Essentials Carbon Monoxide Detectors/Alarms Smoke detectors have long been a requirement in homes, but carbon monoxide detectors are seldom required. Each year preventable s occur from carbon monoxide poisoning. Although we often associate carbon monoxide emissions with motor vehicles, this odorless gas can enter our homes through ill working oil furnaces, gas-burning stoves, clothes dryers and hot water heaters. Something as simple as a bird's nest in a chimney or snow covering a vent can expose your family to the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning. Children, pregnant women, elderly people and those with respiratory ailments are particularly susceptible when exposed to carbon monoxide. A quality carbon monoxide detector is one of the least expensive investments you can make. It will provide you and your family the added sense of security that you deserve. Spend a few extra dollars here and invest in a that features a backup battery for extra safety. Programmable Digital Thermostat Traditional thermostats for controlling your heating/cooling system require manual adjustment and lose their accuracy over a period of time. However, digital thermostats operate on batteries and feature electronic sensors that measure temperature with incredible accuracy. You simply program your preferred settings and the digital thermostat adjusts the temperature of your home automatically around the clock. Not only is a digital thermostat more convenient, it is much more cost effective too. You can actually save up to 1/3 of your annual energy cost simply by installing a digital thermostat. That puts money back into your budget that you can spend on your family. Central Vacuum Cleaner Do you vacuum your floors and carpets only to see dust floating everywhere? Regardless of the brand and you own, your traditional canister or upright vacuum cleaner is probably re-circulating the dust and allergens in your home instead of eliminating them. A central vacuum cleaning system does not come with the expensive price tag you might imagine. In fact, quality brands are often less costly than traditional s. They operate more quietly than regular vacuum cleaners and normally last longer. There is no more back strain from lugging your vacuum cleaner from room to room. You simply attach the hose to the outlet in each room with your preferred attachment. It allows you to create a much healthier environment for your family. Wireless Security System Your home is your castle, but even a castle has a moat. You have worked hard to give your family the comforts of a nice home. Those comforts must also include a sense of security and well-being that will allow your family to know that they are safe and protected from harm. Having a home security system no longer means having to hire a security expert to come in and perform extensive wiring throughout your house. For far less than the expert would charge, you can purchase a wireless security system and easily install it yourself. You simply plug in the main unit, place the sensors throughout your home and program the system. Backup batteries power the system in the case of lost power. Most wireless security systems automatically call you with a prerecorded message alert if an alarm is activated. Other options include 24-hour monitoring to a dispatch system for a minimal monthly charge that can contact police, fire department and/or EMS in the event of an emergency. Water/Flood Sensors Every year the insurance industry sees countless claims for water damage filed by homeowners. Surprisingly, the majority of these claims are not associated with natural occurrences, but rather with leaks occurring inside the home itself. Common sources of such leaks include dishwashers, hot water heaters, icemakers, sinks, toilets and washing machines. Quite often, the damage has already occurred before we even know we have a leak. Simply by placing water sensors in the areas where leaks are most likely to occur, you will know earlier rather than later. Check with your homeowner's insurance carrier, you may even qualify for a discount if you install water sensors in your home. Outdoor Essentials Programmable Sprinklers You do not have to invest in an expensive in-ground irrigation system for watering your lawn. Now, you can have the convenience of an in-ground system by using multiple sprinklers that you can program yourself. When you work with only one sprinkler moving it around to various parts of your lawn and/or garden, you lose valuable time that you could spend on other things. Quite often, you over water some areas while not providing enough irrigation to other areas. Simply place several programmable sprinkler heads that include sensors that will detect the amount of irrigation you need. Your lawn and/or garden will look fantastic and you will conserve water at the same time. Riding Lawnmower Unless you hire a lawn care service, which can be very expensive, you will save much on your time and labor with a riding lawnmower. Your lawn should be a source of pleasure and enjoyment for you and your family, not a dreaded chore. Why spend your summers pushing a mower when you can maintain a well-manicured lawn much quicker with a riding lawn mower? The deck size is much wider on most riding mowers, which also reduces the amount of time it takes to maintain your lawn. Invest in a bagger as well that will collect the grass and leaves as you mow so that you do not have to spend even more time raking afterwards. Weeding Tool/Edger There will always be areas of your lawn where mowing is not possible ... unless you do not mind butchering your flowers and shrubs. It can also be very difficult to maintain areas around walkways and/or sidewalks. For less than $50, you can maintain these areas, including the area around your patio or deck easily by purchasing a weeding tool or edger. You will save your back as well as give your lawn a highly manicured appearance. Lighting Outdoor lighting is not just about decorative effects. It is not practical to leave the exterior of your home and/or your lawn literally in the dark all night. Unlighted walkways and entrances invite s and total darkness invites criminals. Use solar lighting and/or outdoor lanterns to keep the exterior of your property well lit. Not only does it make your home safer for your family and guests, but it also deters crime. There are many affordable exterior lighting solutions available that will give you peace of mind. Snow Blower If you live in an area with a cold winter climate, then you have probably shoveled your share of snow. Statistics indicate that shoveling snow can be detrimental to your health, not to mention how much time it takes to clear your driveway. Each year while shoveling snow, people suffer back injuries such as herniated discs and heart attacks from high pressure incurred due to over-exertion in extreme weather. The money you save by using a shovel will not be enough to cover the costs of your medical expenses. Make the most of your home by making it a place of not only comfort and convenience, but also one of safety and security for you and your entire family. Each of these items not only improves the quality of your lifestyle, but also the quality of your life.
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