Practical Guide to Universal
Home Design
Convenience, Ease, and
Livability: Remodeling, Building, Buying a Home
Table of Contents based on
this text only version:
Ways to use this guide, page
2
More home design resources,
page 3
Site planning and landscaping,
page 5
General floor plan, page 5
Step-free entry, page 5
Entrance, page 6
Kitchen, page 7
Bathroom, page 8
Laundry, page 10
Bedrooms, page 11
Living and dining room, page
11
Closets and storage, page 11
Garage, page 12
Doorways and hallways, page
12
Floors, page 12
Windows, page 13
Stairs, page 13
Electrical outlets and
controls, page 14
This document is available
free online at this website:
www.uiowa.edu/infotech/universalhomedesign.htm.
Iowa Program for Assistive
Technology
Center for Disabilities and
Development
100 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242-1011
1-800-331-3027
Produced by the Iowa Program
for Assistive Technology (IPAT), Center for Disabilities and Development,
University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.
IPAT is funded by the United
States Department of Education through the National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research. No endorsement should be assumed by NIDRR or the
United State Government for the content contained in this booklet.
Adapted with permission from
Practical Guide to Universal Home Design, published by East Metro
Seniors Agenda for Independent Living, St. Paul, MN.
Research and production:
Wilder Research Center
Design: The Design Company
Illustration: Mark Englund
January 2004
Universal Home Design
Design for Easy Living
Universal design is the idea
of making things comfortable and convenient for as many different people at as
many stages of life as possible.
Universal design adds:
1.
Flexibility – Easier to
adapt the home as your own lifestyle changes, or as others live in the home.
2.
Simplicity – Makes
everyday life simpler in many ways – housekeeping, storage, entertaining,
seasonal maintenance.
3.
Style and individuality
– Universal design can be both beautiful and comfortable.
4.
Safety – Eliminates
common causes of home accidents.
These common-sense features
can make your home a more pleasant place to live right now, and avoid
unnecessary hassles and expensive changes in the future.
Room by room, this checklist
can help you consider your options and increase the ease and flexibility of
your home. Many of the guidelines may seem like obvious, common-sense ideas. In
fact, they are likely to become standard in the future, just as we now take for
granted the basic safety and energy efficiency features that were forward-thinking
in their time.
Who is your home built for?
Traditionally, many homes
were tailored for an imaginary “average” person – a healthy, fit, young man of
average height. Universal design uses simple, proven ideas to make any home
more comfortable for a wide range of people:
Ways to Use This Guide
Remodeling: Work with a contractor who understands the
importance of the features in this checklist and is experienced in applying
them to different homes. Many of the features marked as “Essentials” are much
cheaper to do “while you’re at it” than as a separate project later when the
need is pressing. They also address some of the biggest inconveniences or
barriers in many homes.
The booklet will indicate
special features to consider features when you have an immediate need to adapt
your home with limited resources. Most of these features are relatively modest
in cost and require no major structural changes.
Building a Home: Make sure
your home plan includes at least the “Essentials” listed for each area of the
home. Be firm about things that will be important in the long run, even if they
require some adjustments and creative thinking during the planning stage.
Buying or Renting a Home:
Use this checklist to walk through any home you are considering. If you are
buying, seek knowledgeable advice about what it would cost to provide at least
the “Essentials” listed for each area of the home. Let your real estate agent
and home inspector know that these features are important to you.
A Word About Cost: In new
construction, many universal design features require little or no added cost.
In a remodeling project, much depends on the structure and layout of your
current home. You should seek knowledgeable advice about the cost of each
feature, and set your priorities according to the immediate and future benefits
– particularly if you hope to continue living in your home in your later years.
Top 3 Trouble Spots
Three places in the average
home cause the most everyday barriers and inconveniences, the entrance,
bathroom, and kitchen. Pay special attention to the basic design of those areas
when you are remodeling, building, or buying a home.
Most people who incorporate
universal design into their homes say that the real payback is being able to
live the lifestyle they want. An increase in resale value is not an immediate
certainty. However, population trends indicate that the market for these
features will grow in the future.
More Home Design Resources
(6 listed)
1. Iowa COMPASS
1-800-779-2001
1-877-686-0032 (TTY)
www.medicine.uiowa.edu/iowacompass
This free Iowa (only)
service can refer you to contractors in your area that have been trained in
universal design and accessibility. It also has information about funding
options for assistive technology or home modifications. It also offers
information about available assistive technology devices to make living in your
home easier or safer.
2. Center for Universal Design
North Carolina State
University
School of Design
Box 8613
Raleigh, NC 27695-8613
1-800-647-6777
www.homemods.org
This national resource
center offers publications and resources on accessible, adaptable, and
universal design.
3. Home Modification Action Project
National Center for
Supportive Housing and Home Modifications
Andrus Gerontological Center
University of Southern
California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191
213-740-1364
www.usc.edu/go/hmap
This national resource
center offers publications and resources on remodeling for home accessibility.
4. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
601 E St. NW
Washington, DC 20049
1-800-424-3410
www.aarp.org
The national seniors’
advocacy organization offers printed materials and web resources on home
accessibility and universal design (including a virtual home tour at
www.aarp.org/universalhome).
5. Iowa Finance Authority
100 East Grant Avenue, Suite
250
Des Moines, IA 50309
1-800-432-7230
1-515-242-4864 (TTY)
www.ifahome.com
This website provides
information on first-time homeownership programs: FirstHome provides
below-market interest rate mortgages and FirstHome Plus provides grants to pay
for closing costs, down payment and required repairs.
6. Iowa Program for Assistive Technology (IPAT)
1-800-331-3027
www.uiowa.edu/infotech
This Iowa (only) program
provides training for consumers, service providers and contractors about:
assistive technology; and universal design and/or accessibility for housing and
home modifications. It also has a set of brochures about tips for living
independently including assistive technology available at
(www.uiowa.edu/infotech/Elder.htm).
Site Planning and
Landscaping
Site Planning and
Landscaping Essentials:
Site Planning and Landscaping
Worth Considering:
General Floor Plan
General Floor Plan
Essentials:
A. Kitchen, bath, laundry, and at least one sleeping room (no smaller than 12 feet by 12 feet) on the main floor. The sleeping room can be used for different purposes at different times: den, office, playroom, etc.
B. Open floor plan (avoid long, narrow hallways;
consider larger open areas without sharp boundaries between rooms, such as a
kitchen/dining/family room area).
General Floor Plan Worth
Considering:
A. Weight of the building resting on external walls of the home, avoiding “load-bearing” inside walls. This allows walls between rooms to be moved much more easily and inexpensively to change the layout.
B. Closets “stacked” over each other in a multi-story
home, to allow for future installation of an elevator or lift (allow at least
60 inches by 60 inches for installation).
Step Up to a Step-Free Entry
Outdoor steps can be not
just a fall waiting to happen, but also a daily hassle for yourself and your
visitors, especially in wintry weather. Full basements are common in our part
of the country, however, and that typically means the first floor is 18 to 36
inches above the ground. Stairs at the front door and back door have been the
usual way to handle that.
If you’re building a new
home, you can avoid the problem through one or more design techniques: Take
advantage of any natural slope in the land to make at least one of the doors at
ground level. Weigh the costs and benefits of digging a deeper basement so the
first floor is at or near ground level. Consider the landscaping solution of
grading the yard to create a slope or “berm” of earth leading up to the door,
on which you can place a straight or gently curved walkway. (Be sure the slope
is very gradual – ideally no more than 1 inch of rise for each 20 inches of
walkway.)
If you’re remodeling or
buying a home, a wooden or concrete ramp is the most common and sometimes most
cost-effective solution. You can also integrate a ramp into a deck or a careful
landscaping plan. Depending on circumstances, building up a slope or “berm” of
earth to create a new walkway to an existing home may be a good alternative.
Mechanical lifting equipment is another opinion, but it can take a beating in
our climate and will not help during a power outage.
The picture accompanying
this section includes: 1 – a wide, step-free entry with low, beveled threshold,
2 – a gap between rail and ramp floor, for easier sweeping and shoveling, 3 – a
gently sloping ramp, at least 36 inches wide, and 4 – for wheelchair accessibility,
avoid a curved ramp. Instead, use straight ramp sections and provide a large,
level landing area for turning the corner.
Entrance
Entrance Essentials:
A. Door at least 36 inches wide, to allow for a 34-inch
clear opening when the door is open at a right angle.
B. No split-level entry.
C. Porch floor, stoop, or landing at the same level as
the floor inside the home (no step up or step down to enter home).
D. Door locks that are easy to operate, such as keyless
locks with a remote control or keypad.
Consider this feature when you have an immediate need to adapt your home
with limited resources.
E. Lever-style door handles (not round doorknobs). Consider this feature when you have an
immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
F. Peepholes at heights for adults, children, and people
using a wheelchair; or sidelights (tall, narrow window along one or both sides
of the door). Consider this feature
when you have an immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
G. Good lighting both inside and outside the entrance.
Consider features when you have an immediate need to adapt your home with
limited resources.
H. No raised threshold – much easier for strollers,
wheelchairs, rolling luggage, etc., and reduces the risk of tripping. Consider this feature when you have an
immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
I.
A roof, canopy, or
awning to protect the entrance from rain and snow (essential when you have no
raised threshold under the door).
Consider this feature when you have an immediate need to adapt your home
with limited resources.
J. Ample landing space both outside and inside the entry
door (5 feet by 5 feet for the outside landing). The outside landing should be
set off to the side (on the handle edge of the door) to be out of the way of
the door swing.
Entrance Worth Considering:
A. Lighted doorbell.
B. Intercom system (can be connected to your regular
telephone or to a special speaker).
C. Handy shelf outside the door (such as on the porch
railing) to set down items while you open the door.
D. House number in large, simple, color-contrast letting
easily visible from the sidewalk and street.
E. Push-button power door (works great when your hands
are full).
The first picture
accompanying this section includes: 1 – an entrance protected from weather
(important when door has no raised threshold), 2 – a sidelight made of
high-impact glass (for security), 3 – a step-free entry, 4 – ample side space
to avoid the swing of the door, and 5 – the house number clearly visible from
the street. The second picture accompanying this section includes: 1 – a
well-lit entry, both inside and outside, 2- a door at least 36 inches wide,
allowing a 34-inch clear opening, 3 – lever-style door handles, and 4 – ample
side space to avoid the swing of the door.
Kitchen
Kitchen Essentials:
A. Enough clear counter space to set down dishes next to
all appliances and cupboards. Consider
this feature when you have an immediate need to adapt your home with limited
resources.
B. Plenty of open floor space to maneuver around the
kitchen.
C. Anti-scald faucet with a single lever (not two knobs
or two handles to turn on and off).
Consider this feature when you have an immediate need to adapt your home
with limited resources.
D. Counters and other work surfaces at two or more
different heights (See “Counters at the Right Height for the Job” section
below).
E. Rounded corners, not sharp edges, on counters.
F. Open space under the sink to allow for a seated user
(be sure to insulate pipes to avoid burns), with flooring material laid all the
way to the wall under the sink.
G. Raised platform under dishwasher to reduce bending
and kneeling. Storage can be incorporated in the platform. Dishwasher height
should be determined by the comfort levels of those who use it most, and by
what makes sense in the kitchen work flow.
H. Appliance controls that are easy to read, easy to
reach, and can be operated by touch as well as sight. Consider this feature when you have an immediate need to adapt
your home with limited resources.
I.
Easy access to kitchen
storage (pull-out shelves, lazy susans in corner cupboards, adjustable-height
cupboards). Consider this feature when
you have an immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
J. Good task lighting over sink, stove, and other work
areas.
Kitchen Worth Considering:
A. Pullout work boards in strategic locations, such as near the oven, refrigerator, and microwave.
B. Pantry-type closet with rollout shelving.
C. Sink with the drain placed toward the back, rather
than in the middle, so that the pipes below the sink are less in the way for
storage or for a seated user.
D. Some electrical switches and outlets placed at front
edge of lower cabinets (just under counter) for easier access. (Be sure to use
childproof outlets.)
E. Stove or cooktop with controls in the front.
F. Extra outlets for small appliances, electronics, etc.
G. “Power sink” that raises or lowers at the push of a
button. (Be sure the wall covering and floor covering extend to accommodate the
full range of the sink’s upper and lower settings.
H. Color-contrast edging on the front edge of counters,
to avoid spills and bumps for people with lower vision.
I.
Built-in storage space
for recyclable materials, easy to access and remove.
J. Spring-loaded switch for the garbage disposal, so
that it must be held in the “on” position to operate (safety feature).
K. Side-by-side refrigerator-freezer.
Counters at the Right Height
for the Job
Providing kitchen work
surfaces at two or more different heights is handy not only for people of
different sizes who are standing or seated, but also for different kinds of
tasks. When you need heavy leverage, such as cutting a watermelon, you want a
lower work surface. When you are doing closer, more detailed work, you want it
higher.
One counter section at least
30 inches wide should accommodate a seated person (the surface about 28 inches
to 32 inches above the floor), with open knee space below.
Alternatively, install
pullout work boards at varying heights, in locations convenient for food
preparation or for setting heavy items you take out of the oven, refrigerator,
dishwasher, etc. A kitchen drawer could be converted to a work surface by
fitting a cutting board on it.
Bathroom
Bathroom Essentials:
A. Door 36 inches wide, to allow for a 34-inch clear
opening when the door is open at a right angle.
B. Ample floor space for maneuvering between bathroom
fixtures. Allow at least 30 inches by 48 inches of clear floor space among the
fixtures; 60 inches by 60 inches is ideal. (If your shower entrance has no
raised threshold, the shower floor can provide part of the clear maneuvering space.)
C. Walk-in shower with little or no threshold or lip to
step over – ideally no more than ½ inch, and beveled to provide a tiny “ramp”
rather than a tripping obstacle. Slope the shower floor a maximum of 1/8 inch
per foot. (Alternatively, design a bathroom closet that can be converted to a
walk-in shower, or place the tub in such a way that it can later be replaced
with a walk-in shower.)
D. Shower size: Minimum 36 by 36 inches; for a roll-in
shower, allow 36 inches by 60 inches.
E. Adjustable-height, handheld showerhead, with controls
that are conveniently placed and easy to operate. Consider this feature when you have an immediate need to adapt
your home with limited resources.
F. Properly reinforced grab bars in the bath and shower,
and at least reinforced walls to allow for grab bars near the toilet. (See
“Getting a Grip on Grab Bars” section below).
G. Anti-scald faucet with a single-lever handle, for
both the sink and the tub or shower.
Consider this feature when you have an immediate need to adapt your home
with limited resources.
H. Clearance under the sink to allow for seated user,
with flooring material extended into the open area under the sink. (Be sure to
insulate pipes to prevent burns.)
I.
Rounded corners, not
sharp edges, on bathroom counters.
J. Toilet seat height appropriate for the household – 17
to 19 inches high for middle-age and older people, lower for children. Consider
this feature when you have an immediate need to adapt your home with limited
resources.
K. Mirror(s) placed for both standing and sitting, such
as a full-length or tilting mirror.
Consider this feature when you have an immediate need to adapt your home
with limited resources.
L. Good quality, non-glare lighting. Consider this feature when you have an
immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
Bathroom Worth Considering:
A. Shower seat or platform, either built in or
freestanding (handy for washing feet and shaving legs, as well as for people
with limited strength or mobility).
B. Pocket (sliding) door to save the “swing space”
needed for a hinged door.
C. Telephone jack in the bathroom, to call for help in
case of a fall.
D. Rollout or pullout storage shelves in cabinets, to
minimize kneeling and bending.
E. Bathroom counters at two different heights, or an
adjustable-height surface.
F. Bathroom sink with a side-mounted faucet, easier for
children and many others to reach.
G. Adjustable-height “power sink,” or two sinks at
different heights.
H. Sink with the drain placed toward the back, rather
than in the middle, so that the pipes below the sink are less in the way for
storage or for a seated user.
I.
Heat lamp (for
comfort), usually installed in the ceiling.
Getting a Grip on Grab Bars
Grab bars are an essential
safety feature as well as a handy ergonomic feature. Now they’re practically a
designer accessory too, judging from the fast-growing selection of colors and
styles. They make good towel bars and they’re there when you need them for
balance.
Three factors ensure that
your grab bars will “be there for you” when you reach for them:
1.
How big around is it?
The typical diameter is 1 ½ inches; 1 ¼ inches may work better for people with
smaller hands (children, many women) and for people who don’t have a strong
grip.
2.
How far does it stick
out from the wall? The grab bar should be designed to leave at most 1 ½ inches
of clear space between the wall and the inside edge of the grab bar.
3.
What is it attached to?
A grab bar that’s not properly installed can pull away from the wall and let
you down just when you need it most.
The following method allows
for sturdy attachment and also for easy repositioning, as changing needs may
call for grab bars of different heights or lengths: Reinforce the walls near the toilet and shower or bath by
installing ¾ inch plywood panels, Notch the plywood into the wall studs to provide
a flat wall surface, then install wall covering (drywall, tile, etc.) over the
plywood.
Laundry
Laundry Essentials:
A. Laundry area on main floor, near the bathroom and
bedrooms. (If laundry is in the basement initially, make provisions that would
allow relocating it to the main floor – an easily adaptable space with
electrical and plumbing connections.)
B. Good task lighting in the laundry work area. Consider this feature when you have an
immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
C. Appliance controls that are easy to reach and
operate, ideally at the front of the appliance. Consider this feature when you have an immediate need to adapt
your home with limited resources.
Laundry Worth Considering:
A. Front-loading washer and dryer, placed on raised platforms to reduce bending and kneeling.
B. Stacked washer-dryer.
C. Portable washer on main floor (can attach to kitchen
sink).
D. Folding table, attached to the wall, that lies flat
when not in use.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms Essentials:
A. Doors 36 inches wide, to allow for a 34-inch clear
opening.
B. Ample maneuvering space after all furniture is in the
room – at least 36 inches on both sides of the bed, and ideally 60 inches on
one side of the bed.
C. Light switches reachable from the bedside and the
door, and located about 36 inches to 40 inches above the floor. Consider this feature when you have an
immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
D. Telephone jack near the bed. Consider this feature when you have an
immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
E. Extra electrical outlets near the bed (for medical
equipment or rechargeable items, for example), placed 18 inches to 24 inches
above the floor. Consider this feature
when you have an immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
F. Closet rods reachable from a seated or standing
position, or adjustable-height rods.
Consider this feature when you have an immediate need to adapt your home
with limited resources.
Living and Dining Areas
Living and Dining Areas
Essentials:
A. Large enough to accommodate normal furnishings and
allow easy maneuvering around them.
B. Easy passage from kitchen to dining area.
C. Avoid changes in floor levels or floor material (such
as vinyl to carpet) to prevent tripping while carrying food and drink.
Living and Dining Areas
Worth Considering: Extra electrical outlets to accommodate possible future
needs, such as new home technology.
Closets and Storage
Closets and Storage
Essentials: Consider all of these
features when you have an immediate need to adapt your home with limited
resources.
A. Heights and layout easily accessible for all
household members.
B. Well-lit, with a switch located outside the storage
area.
C. Adjustable-height shelving and closet rods.
D. Doors and handles that are easy to operate. (Avoid
bi-fold or accordion-type doors.)
Garage
Garage Essentials:
A. Ample room for maneuvering strollers, lawn mowers,
bicycles, wheelchairs, etc. around the vehicle(s). Provide at least a 3-foot
clear path around and between all vehicles.
B. Paved driveway.
C. Easy pathway from garage to home entrance (no steps
to climb, all walkways at least 36 inches wide).
Garage Worth Considering:
A. Garage attached to home with a direct (no-step)
entrance to home.
B. Garage door tall enough to accommodate higher
vehicles (such as a van with a chairlift) – an extra 18 to 24 inches compared
to most standard doors.
C. Sheltered walkway to the house, protected from rain
and snow.
Doorways and Hallways
Doorways and Hallways
Essentials:
A. Wide, spacious hallways and doorways for moving
furniture as well as for maneuvering a wheelchair or walker.
B. Hallways at least 36 inches wide; 42 inches is
recommended.
C. All doors 36 inches wide to allow for a 34-inch clear
opening when the door is open 90 degrees.
D. Lever-type door handles (not rounded doorknobs). Consider this feature when you have an
immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
Doorways and Hallways Worth
Considering:
A. Pocket (sliding) doors instead of swing doors,
wherever possible.
B. “Swing-clear” hinges that add a little more
maneuvering room by moving the door completely out of the doorway.
Floors
Floors Essentials:
A. Single level – no sunken floors or split levels.
B. No change of levels between rooms. If there must be a
threshold between two different flooring surfaces, make it very low and beveled.
C. If there must be a step up or down, mark it well with
a highly visible, color-contrast material at the edge. Consider this feature
when you have an immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
D. Nonslip flooring throughout the house, especially in
the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry.
E. Carpeting that is sturdy, low-pile, and tightly woven
(such as berber style).
F. Eliminate throw rugs, to minimize the risk of
tripping. Consider this feature when
you have an immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
Floors Worth Considering:
A. For wheelchairs, carpeting should be continuously
glued to the floor, ideally with no padding.
B. For wheelchairs, highly durable flooring (stone or
ceramic tile) holds up best.
Windows
Windows Essentials:
A. Energy-efficient windows that are easy to open,
close, and lock, and require little strength to use. (Crank handles are a good
choice.)
B. Placement at a height that allows people to see
outdoors while seated or standing – with the windowsills about 24 inches to 30
inches above the floor.
Windows Worth Considering:
A. Tilt-in windows that allow easy cleaning of both
sides.
B. Screens that are lightweight and simple to remove and
replace, ideally from the inside.
Stairs
Stairs Essentials:
A. Sturdy handrails on both sides of all stairways,
whether inside or outside of the home. For round rails, the usual size is 1 ¼
to 1 ½ inches in diameter. Consider
features when you have an immediate need to adapt your home with limited
resources.
B. Stair treads deep enough for the entire foot – at
least 8 inches, but 10 to 11 inches is better.
C. Stair rise no higher than 7 inches from one step to
the next; a smaller rise is even better.
D. No carpeting on stairs, to reduce the risk of
slipping. If carpeting is installed, use a tight weave and no padding. Consider features when you have an immediate
need to adapt your home with limited resources.
E. No open risers (open spaces between each step). Consider features when you have an immediate
need to adapt your home with limited resources.
F. Steps with no “nosing” (in other words, the tread
should not extend out beyond the riser) to minimize the risk of tripping.
G. All stairways well lit, with a light switch at the
top and bottom. (Light switches about 36 inches to 40 inches above the
floor.) Consider features when you have
an immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
H. Anti-slip strips on front edge of steps, in
color-contrast material. Consider
features when you have an immediate need to adapt your home with limited
resources.
Stairs Worth Considering:
A. Straight, continuous stairway, with no turns or
curves, for cheaper and easier installation of a chairlift if needed later.
B. Stairway at least 4 feet wide to allow for a future
chairlift.
Electrical Outlets and
Controls
Electrical Outlets and
Controls Essentials:
A. Light switches placed about 36 inches to 40 inches
above the floor. Consider this feature
when you have an immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
B. Large rocker-style switches that are easy to turn on
and off. Consider this feature when you
have an immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
C. Electrical outlets placed about 18 inches to 24
inches above the floor, to minimize the need for bending down. Consider this feature when you have an
immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
D. Thermostat and other controls placed about 48 inches
above the floor. Consider this feature
when you have an immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
E. Thermostat and control panels that are easy to read
and simple to operate (check accessible equipment stores or web sites). Consider this feature when you have an
immediate need to adapt your home with limited resources.
F. Telephone, cable, and modem jacks placed about 18
inches above the floor. Consider this
feature when you have an immediate need to adapt your home with limited
resources.
G. Circuit breaker panel on the main floor and easy to
access, perhaps in the laundry area.
Electrical Outlets and
Controls Worth Considering:
A. Lighted switches that are visible in the dark.
B. Slide plates on outlets, to childproof the outlet
when not in use.
C. Motion-activated lighting that automatically turns on
when someone enters the room.
D. Switched outlets so that floor lamps and table lamps
can be turned on and off with a wall switch.
E. Plenty of electrical outlets for current or future
equipment (placed 18 inches to 24 inches above the floor).
F. Programmable thermostat to save energy at night or
when you are not at home.
G. “Zoned” heating and cooling, with separate
thermostats for different parts of the house, to conserve energy while keeping
the temperature comfortable where you are.
H. Visible and audible alarms on smoke detectors and
carbon monoxide detectors.