Building a house from scratch is an experience that can be both fulfilling and overwhelming. You have to make sure everything is placed properly and in order. Now that you’re done with the foundation, roof, walls, and the whole structure, it’s time to focus on putting in the things that will keep your house running smoothly. Here we will cover the basic systems that every house should have.
Electrical System
This is one of the first things that you need to have installed in your new home. It will be hard to basically do anything if you do not have an electrical system. Wiring a house is a job that needs the help of an electrician, and it is mostly included in your deal with your contractor. If it’s not part of the package, you need to hire a professional to do it. Keep in mind that handling wires and electricity can be dangerous, so do not do it yourself.
A home electrical system is composed of a series of wires connected. It is a somewhat complex system that runs throughout your property. As mentioned above, you will need a licensed electrician to do the job because faulty wiring can lead to a fire that can put you and your family at risk. Below is an idea of how electrical systems are installed:
- Design a diagram — this will show the location of the main breaker box and the path that connects it to the wires all over the house.
- Install Conduits
- Know the outlet count — decide how many switches and outlets will be connected to a single circuit. The usual is 6 outlets per 110-voltage circuit, especially in the living area. You can have at least two outlets in other rooms like the kitchen and the bathroom.
- Drill Wire Holes — this is where the wires and circuitry will pass through. Make sure that the electrician avoids drilling holes on any water pipe and duct hole.
- Set a Breaker — the breaker box should be in a place where it could be easily accessed.
- Pull the wires to the outlets — connect them to the outlets all around the house.
- Install the circuits — make sure to have one individual circuit per one wiring set. The circuits should also match the amperage of the wires connected to the outlets.
Plumbing System
A plumbing system is composed of fixtures and pipes installed in a house to distribute clean water properly. It is also responsible for the disposal of waterborne wastes by being connected to a larger sewage system underneath the ground. Connected to this system are other plumbing fixtures such as toilets, shower, bathtub, lavatory basins, and devices like dishwashers, washing machines, garbage disposal, and water heater.
Pipes that carry water and the whole sewage system that goes with it must be made up of non-corrosive and durable materials designed to exceed the life span of the house itself. Ordinary residential pipes are often made up of plastic, non-toxic material, steel, brass, and copper. On the other hand, sewage pipes are mostly made from asbestos cement, cast iron, copper, and steel.
HVAC System
Another important component of your house is the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system. Its main purpose is to make your life comfortable by keeping you warm when it’s cold and keeping the air cool when it’s hot outside. Generally speaking, selecting an HVAC unit greatly depends on the climate in your area and, of course, your budget. But if you want optimum performance, you can have a water buffer tank installed alongside it. This addition will help improve the temperature control while ensuring a more stable system operation.
HVAC systems are classified according to their process capability. Every unit must possess the three main processes: the cooling process, ventilation process, and heating process.
Other HVAC units have additional features like dehumidification and humidification processes. These last two can be achieved by adding dehumidifiers and ventilation fans to your HVAC unit. The primary components of the HVAC system that allows it to deliver cool air and thermal comfort are:
- Outdoor Air Control
- Mixed air plenum
- Supply fan
- Air filter
- Relief of Exhaust fans
- Air outlet
- Outdoor Air intake
- Water Chiller
- Control
- Humidification equipment
- Dehumidification equipment
Every house has to have at least these three major systems to ensure that the people living in it can live a comfortable and convenient life. With the absence of one of these, there is a chance that the household will have a hard time functioning, so make sure that you have these systems built as early as possible.
