Essential Home Systems: Electricity, Plumbing, and HVAC

Posted on Mar 7, 2026 in Technology

Home Systems Infrastructure

1. How Electricity Is Distributed

Process description:

  • Generated in power plants.
  • Transmitted at high voltage through transmission lines.
  • Reduced in voltage at substations.
  • Distributed through local power lines.
  • Delivered to homes through the meter and electrical panel.

2.1 Electrical Wiring in a Shared Building

  • Service connection: Cable from the street network.
  • Main distribution board: Distributes electricity to each apartment.
  • Meters: Measure electricity consumption.
  • Risers: Vertical cables supplying each floor.
  • Individual panels: Inside each apartment.

2.2 Electrical Wiring Inside the Home

  • ICP (Interruptor de Control de Potencia): Power control switch.
  • Main switch (IGA): Cuts all electricity in the house.
  • RCD (Residual Current Device): Protects against electric shocks.
  • MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers): Protect individual circuits.
  • Circuits: Lighting, sockets, kitchen, etc.

3. The Water Supply

5 Stages:

  • Water collection: From rivers, lakes, or underground.
  • Storage and pressure: Stored in tanks and pressurized.
  • Distribution: Sent through pipes to homes.
  • Sewage collection: Wastewater collected from homes.
  • Waste treatment: Cleaned before returning to nature.

3.2 Parts of a Plumbing System

  • Main shut-off valve: Stops water to the whole house.
  • Branch valve: Controls water to one area (bathroom/kitchen).
  • Fixture valve: Controls water to one appliance.
  • Tap (faucet): Controls water flow at the outlet.

3.3 Hot Water Types

  • Water boiler: Uses gas to heat water.
  • Electric water heater: Uses electricity.
  • Solar water heater: Uses solar energy.

3.4 Drainage Systems

  • Trap: Curved pipe under sinks that holds water to block bad smells.
  • Floor trap: Drain on the floor that collects wastewater and prevents odors.

4. Heating and Air Conditioning

4.1 Heating Systems

  • Electric heating: Uses electrical resistance.
  • Solar heating: Uses solar panels.
  • Space heaters: Portable heating devices.

4.2 Heat Distribution Systems

  • District heating: Heat from a central plant for many buildings.
  • Central heating: One system for the whole house.
  • Individual heating: Separate heater in each room.

5. How Fuels Reach Homes

  • Renewable fuels: Solar, biomass, wind.
  • Petroleum-derived fuels: Gasoline, diesel, LPG.

5.1 LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)

  • Gas (propane/butane) stored in liquid form in cylinders.

5.2 Mains Gas Networks

  • Meter: Measures gas use.
  • Risers: Vertical gas pipes.
  • Regulator: Controls gas pressure.

6. Communication Systems

Voice and data transmission involves sending information through cables or wireless systems.

Types of connections:

  • Analogue telephone: Traditional phone line.
  • ISDN: Digital telephone network.
  • ADSL: Internet through telephone line.
  • Fibre optic: Internet through light signals.
  • Satellite internet: Internet via satellite.
  • Wireless networks: WiFi and mobile data.