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Lesson 3: Understanding Home Utilities - Cheat Sheet

Electrical System Components

Component	Function	Location	Maintenance
Service Head	Where power enters home	Outside wall or roof	Professional inspection only
Electric Meter	Measures electricity usage	Outside wall	Keep accessible, report damage
Consumer Unit/Fuse Box	Controls and distributes power	Utility room, hallway, under stairs	Keep accessible, label circuits
Circuit Breakers	Protect circuits from overload	Inside consumer unit	Test RCDs quarterly
Outlets/Sockets	Access points for electricity	Throughout home	Test GFCIs monthly
Ring Circuits	Power most sockets	Behind walls	No maintenance required
Radial Circuits	Power high-demand appliances	Behind walls	No maintenance required

Understanding Your Electrical Panel

Circuit Type	Typical Amperage	What It Powers	Signs of Problems
Lighting	6-10A	Lights in specific areas	Flickering, frequent trips
Ring Circuit	32A	Most sockets in 1-2 rooms	Overheating, trips when using multiple devices
Cooker	32-40A	Electric cooker/oven	Slow heating, partial operation
Shower	40-50A	Electric shower	Temperature fluctuations, weak flow
Immersion Heater	16A	Hot water cylinder	No hot water, trips when activated

Electrical Terminology

Term	Definition	Why It Matters
Amp (A)	Unit of electrical current	Determines wire size and breaker rating
Volt (V)	Unit of electrical pressure	UK standard is 230V
Watt (W)	Unit of electrical power	Determines energy usage
kWh	Kilowatt-hour, unit of energy consumption	How electricity is billed
RCD	Residual Current Device, detects leakage	Prevents electric shock
MCB	Miniature Circuit Breaker, protects circuits	Prevents overloads and fires
RCBO	Combined RCD and MCB	Provides both personal and circuit protection

Plumbing System Components

Component	Function	Location	Maintenance
Water Meter	Measures water usage	Outside property or under floor	Keep accessible, check for leaks
Main Shut-off Valve	Controls all water to home	Where supply enters home	Test annually, keep accessible
Stop Taps	Control water to fixtures	Under sinks, behind toilets	Test annually, keep accessible
Supply Lines	Deliver water under pressure	Walls, floors, ceilings	Inspect for leaks, insulate in cold areas
Drainage Pipes	Remove waste water	Walls, floors, under fixtures	Clean periodically, check for leaks
Water Heater	Heats water for home use	Airing cupboard, utility room	Flush annually, check pressure
Boiler	Heats water and/or home	Kitchen, utility room	Annual service required

Water Pressure Guide

Pressure Reading	Classification	Implications
Below 40 psi (2.8 bar)	Low	Poor shower performance, slow filling
40-60 psi (2.8-4.1 bar)	Ideal	Optimal for most household uses
60-80 psi (4.1-5.5 bar)	High Normal	Acceptable but may stress fixtures
Above 80 psi (5.5 bar)	Too High	May damage appliances, requires pressure reducer

Heating System Types

System Type	How It Works	Pros	Cons	Maintenance
Gas Central Heating	Boiler heats water circulated through radiators	Efficient, quick heating	Requires gas supply, annual service	Annual service, bleed radiators, check pressure
Electric Storage Heaters	Heat bricks using off-peak electricity	No gas required, individual room control	Expensive to run, bulky	Dust regularly, check for damage
Heat Pumps	Extract heat from outside air or ground	Very efficient, eco-friendly	High installation cost, works best with underfloor heating	Annual service, keep outdoor unit clear
Oil Central Heating	Like gas but uses oil-fired boiler	Works in areas without gas	Requires oil storage, price fluctuations	Annual service, monitor oil levels
Solid Fuel	Burns wood or coal in stove or boiler	Renewable option, atmospheric	Labor intensive, storage needs	Regular cleaning, chimney sweeping

Gas Safety Essentials

Warning Sign	What It Means	What To Do
Rotten egg smell	Gas leak	Open windows, exit home, call 0800 111 999 from outside
Yellow/orange flame	Incomplete combustion	Turn off appliance, get professional service
Sooty marks around appliance	Improper ventilation	Turn off appliance, get professional service
Excessive condensation	Combustion issues	Improve ventilation, get professional service
Carbon monoxide alarm sounds	Dangerous CO levels	Open windows, exit home, call 0800 111 999

Understanding Utility Bills

Bill Component	What It Means	How to Reduce
Standing Charge	Fixed daily amount regardless of usage	Compare suppliers
Unit Rate	Cost per kWh/cubic meter used	Reduce consumption
VAT	Tax (usually 5% on domestic energy)	Cannot be reduced
Meter Readings	Actual vs. estimated usage	Submit regular readings
Dual Fuel Discount	Discount for having gas and electricity with same supplier	Compare with separate suppliers

Efficiency Quick Wins

Area	Action	Potential Savings
Lighting	Switch to LED bulbs	Up to 90% reduction in lighting costs
Water	Install tap aerators	50% reduction in water usage
Heating	Programmable thermostat	10-15% on heating bills
Electricity	Smart power strips	5-10% on electricity bills
Insulation	Draft-proofing	10-20% on heating bills
Water Heating	Insulate hot water cylinder	25-30% on water heating costs

Emergency Shut-off Procedures

Utility	How to Shut Off	When to Shut Off
Electricity	Turn off main switch in consumer unit	Fire, flood, electrical emergency
Water	Turn main valve clockwise until closed	Major leak, burst pipe, leaving home vacant
Gas	Turn handle 90° so it’s perpendicular to pipe	Gas smell, carbon monoxide alarm, fire

Professional vs. DIY Guide

Task	DIY or Pro?	Why
Reading meters	DIY	Simple, no safety concerns
Changing light bulbs	DIY	Simple, low risk if power off
Bleeding radiators	DIY	Simple procedure with proper tools
Adjusting thermostats	DIY	User-serviceable controls
Gas appliance repair	PRO	Legal requirement, safety critical
Electrical panel work	PRO	High voltage, safety critical
Boiler service	PRO	Legal requirement, complex systems
Water heater replacement	PRO	Complex, potential for serious damage