When my family remodeled our home last year, we implemented several green measures to improve indoor air quality—one of which was a central vacuum system. With all the walls open, the installer ran 2″ tubing and placed five special wall receptacles strategically throughout the house. Soon the vacuum motor unit was located out in the garage and we were ready to vacuum. What a difference it has made!

While looking around at different options for eradicating the dust and lint that seemed to haunt me, I did a lot of research and found some very interesting information about vacuums that, after years of being a vacuum user, surprised me.

1. A central vacuum, any central vacuum, is better than any standard portable vacuum. With three to five times more suction power than any portable vacuum on the market, a central vac is simply going to pull more out of your carpet and get your home cleaner.
2. Central vacuums are healthier than portables because they exhaust outside the house. By design, a portable vacuum’s motor is right in front of you as you vacuum — exhausting dust particles, dander, allergens and other nasty little particulates back into your home. Central vacuums however, have the power unit located outside of the main house and usually exhaust outside of the home altogether, so none of these unhealthy particulates recirculate into your home.
3. Over time, a central vac saves you money. With a more powerful motor, the deep cleaning ability of a central vac will increase the life span of your carpet, drapes and furniture. Additionally, studies have shown that a vacuum is one of the most replaced appliances in a home. With many units coming with lengthy / lifetime warranties, not having to buy more vacuums in the future is a great money saver.
4. A central vacuum will raise your home’s resale value. A central vacuum can increase the resale value of your home by up to $2000 over the cost of the system.
5. As time has passed, I’ve only grown to love my system more. Granted, we have hardwood floors now (no carpets), but vacuuming is a still a snap. The hose is 25 feet long, but easier to maneuver than lugging a vacuum around, especially up and down the stairs. And with the vacuum motor out in the garage, it’s quiet enough to have a phone conversation while doing the housework (just ask my 16 year old).

In the kitchen we installed a cool toe-kick receptacle that is actuated with (you guessed it) a toe, to pick up the stuff collected by a quick sweep with a broom. In actuality, we don’t use it much because it’s just as easy to vacuum the kitchen and family room as well using the regular hose, but it’s a great conversation starter! Perhaps if we had young children or pets this would get more use.

A year later, our central vacuum is one of those things that we still smile about every time we use it. It’s crazy how much we love it. It still smells a little funky in the garage, but hey, I guess I can live with that.

Longevity of an investment in remodeling occurs when:

Your remodel looks so beautiful and timeless you do not have to think about remodeling again for decades or more. Great functional and aesthetic design of space achieves just that. I’ve seen 30- to 40-year-old homes with interiors that only required updating the appliances because the space was designed right the first time, using techniques, products and installation that last.

Your remodel uses smart, quality precuts. There are some new products out that have been around long enough to be tested—such as Silestone for countertops, Amtico and Bamboo flooring and wireless solar exterior lighting—which do not cost more than other commonly used choices (granite counters, oak flooring and low voltage exterior lighting, for example). In fact, they can even save you money and look beautiful too.

Your remodel requires little maintenance, which is one of the wonderful benefits of the above-mentioned green products. Silestone features the same advantages of granite and offers a wide selection of color choices. Amtico is often used in hospitals and elevators because it is so durable. And pre-finished Bamboo flooring is much easier to keep looking good than older oak floors that require buffing and waxing.

So don’t think of green choices and decisions as burdensome, or as one more nagging thing you have to do, like flossing. Rather, think of green choices as making your life easier both over the long haul and on a day-to-day basis.

Iris Harrell, is owner and president of Harrell Remodeling, Inc.