Installing mechanicals                                                                            

The term “mechanicals” refers to your home's hidden components, the wiring, plumbing, ducts, furnaces, and fans that give you control over your indoor environment. Specialty subcontractors--electricians, plumbers, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) specialists will typically be brought into the project by your builder to install your home’s mechanical systems. Most municipalities publish highly detailed codes that mandate the proper installation of mechanical systems. These rules emphasize safety but sometimes ignore other important variables in the process. As always, it pays to get involved. Look for missing pieces of your mechanical puzzle--details that will simplify maintenance, save money on energy bills, and increase your home’s value

Plumbing- even with the code book open, plumbers still can make mistakes. Sometimes, they follow poorly designed construction plans. Or they may work too strictly to code, disregarding unwritten extras like those described below. These often-overlooked details are worth considering since each can improve your plumbing system’s performance.                                                                                                                                    

Water heater location- Water heaters should be installed close to major fixtures to prevent excessive energy loss in hot water lines. If this proves impossible, energy-saving in-line water heaters can be installed.                               

Branch plumbing—Improper pipe sizing may result in loss of shower water pressure when someone turns on the dishwasher or flushes a toilet. To solve this problem, branch pipes that run from main supply lines to various fixtures should have a smaller diameter. Pressure-balance shower valves also help.                          

Shutoffs, drains, and alarms—Supply line shutoffs allow you to repair leaky faucets without shutting off water to the entire house. Specifying a drain valve near the main water inlet can empty all pipes when you leave on vacation. Insurance also installs electrical alarms that sense overflowing water around toilets, bathtubs, and washing machines.                                                                                                                                       

Insulation- Many codes now require all hot and cold supply lines to be wrapped with insulating material. On cold water lines, insulation prevents condensation from causing moisture damage to walls or ceilings. On hot water pipes, it reduces heat loss.                                                                                                                                                               

Sound buffers- Pipes that contract hard surfaces may vibrate and create noise. Your plumber or builder can prevent these rattles and thumps by wrapping the drain and supplying pipes with buffering material.                                            

  

Wiring quality and quantity- the electrical codes allow very little improvisation when installing outlets, light fixtures, and switches, and they seldom reflect changes in how people live. In the past five years, digital electronics have invaded the home. Programmable thermostats have led the way, with occupancy sensors, infrared security alarms, and motion detectors following quickly. New communication technologies are emerging, including interactive television, video telephones, and high-speed internet access.