I'd like to highlight the point you made about running a non-exit node from your home network: they're unobjectionable.
Running any node strengthens the TOR network as it provides more anonymous paths for users to connect through. Since running a middle node from home doesn't cause any issues for you, doing so is a great way to contribute to the network.
If you have a machine that's always on, has slightly higher specs, and you have slightly higher network speeds too, you might consider running an entry node instead.
What's the difference between a relay and entry node (shouldn't these be indistinguishable, I thought that was part of the point of Tor)? Unless by "entry node" you mean bridge?
Running any node strengthens the TOR network as it provides more anonymous paths for users to connect through. Since running a middle node from home doesn't cause any issues for you, doing so is a great way to contribute to the network.
If you have a machine that's always on, has slightly higher specs, and you have slightly higher network speeds too, you might consider running an entry node instead.