20 Things Every New Homeowner Should Locate in Their House

Quick answer: every new homeowner should be able to locate the controls that stop water and power, the equipment that warns about fire and carbon monoxide, the major heating and plumbing equipment, and the access points a professional may ask about during a repair.

You do not need to become an expert on all 20 items. The goal is simpler: know where each one is, photograph it, record any model or label information, keep the path clear, and know who should operate it when something goes wrong.

Ready.gov specifically recommends learning how to shut off utilities where you live, including water, electricity, and gas. Finding those controls during a calm walkthrough is much better than searching for them during a burst pipe, power problem, gas emergency, alarm, or storm.

The 20 things at a glance

1. Main water shutoff

Why find it: this is the valve that normally stops most pressurized domestic water entering the house. A burst pipe or failed supply hose can cause expensive damage quickly, so this is one of the first things a homeowner should locate.

Where to look: commonly near the water meter or where the water service pipe enters the home. Depending on the climate and construction, that may be:

• Basement.
• Crawl space.
• Utility room.
• Garage.
• Mechanical closet.
• Exterior valve box.

Record: one close photo of the valve and one wider photo showing its location. Add a clear label and keep storage away from it.

Do not: force a valve that is corroded, leaking, damaged, buried, or extremely difficult to move. Have a plumber inspect it.

See What Is the Main Water Shutoff? for a deeper guide to common valve types and safe verification.

2. Water meter

Why find it: your water meter records household water use and can help identify an unexplained leak.

EPA WaterSense says meters are often located underground near the curb in front of the home, although some are inside—for example, in a basement.

Once you know where yours is, record:

• Its physical location.
• How the utility expects customers to read it.
• Whether your utility offers automatic leak alerts.

EPA recommends comparing the meter reading before and after about two hours with no intentional water use. If the reading changes, you probably have a leak.

Important: a meter box may contain utility-owned valves. Do not assume every valve beside the meter is homeowner-operated.

3. Fixture shutoff valves

Why find them: a local shutoff may stop a small leak without interrupting water to the entire house.

Common locations include:

• Behind each toilet.
• Under bathroom sinks.
• Under the kitchen sink.
• At the washing machine.
• At other fixtures or appliances with visible homeowner-accessible shutoffs.

Make a quick map. For example:

If a shutoff is badly corroded or has not been operated in years, identification is enough for the first walkthrough. Do not turn every old valve simply to experiment.

4. Electrical panel

Why find it: the panel contains the breakers or fuses that protect and control branch circuits in the home.

Common locations include:

• Basement.
• Garage.
• Utility room.
• Hallway or closet designed for electrical equipment.
• Exterior wall in some regions.

From normal access, photograph:

• The panel exterior.
• The manufacturer label if visible without removing covers.
• The circuit directory.

Keep the area in front of the panel clear.

Do not remove the panel cover. If the panel is wet, hot, buzzing, sparking, damaged, or smells burned, stay away and use a licensed electrician.

5. Main electrical disconnect

Why find it: the main disconnect is the device intended to disconnect power to most or all of the home's electrical system.

It may be:

• A large main breaker inside the primary panel.
• A separate service disconnect near the meter.
• Another clearly labeled disconnect arrangement depending on the installation.

Do not assume the largest breaker you see is the correct device without understanding the system.

For your home record, note:

• Where the main panel is.
• Where the main disconnect is clearly identified.
• Who your electric utility is.
• The utility's outage/emergency number.

Ready.gov recommends learning how utility shutoffs work where you live. That does not mean practicing on unfamiliar electrical equipment.

6. Gas meter, propane tank, or other fuel-supply location

Why find it: if the home uses natural gas, propane, heating oil, or another delivered fuel, you should know what system serves the house and whom to call in an emergency.

For natural gas:

• Locate the exterior meter from a normal safe area.
• Save the gas utility's emergency number.
• Learn the utility's instructions for suspected gas leaks.

For propane:

• Locate the tank.
• Record the supplier.
• Keep vehicle and storage access away from required tank clearances.

Do not use your first walkthrough to practice shutting off gas. Gas utilities can have specific emergency and restart procedures. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, leave the area and follow the utility's emergency instructions from a safe place.

7. Every smoke alarm

Why find them: you need to know whether alarms are present where expected, whether they are smoke-only or combination units, and how old they are.

USFA recommends smoke alarms:

• Inside every bedroom.
• Outside each separate sleeping area.
• On every level of the home, including the basement.

During your walkthrough, record for each alarm:

• Room/location.
• Brand/model if visible.
• Manufacture date.
• Battery type.
• Smoke-only or combination smoke/CO.

USFA recommends testing smoke alarms monthly and replacing them 10 years from the manufacture date.

8. Every carbon-monoxide alarm

Why find them: carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled, so functioning alarms are essential where CO risk exists.

CPSC recommends CO alarms on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas. Follow the exact alarm manufacturer's placement instructions.

Record:

• Location.
• Whether it is a stand-alone or combination unit.
• Manufacture/replacement date.
• Battery/backup type.
• What the alarm's different sounds mean.

CPSC recommends monthly alarm testing. A test button checks the device's test function; it does not make an expired sensor new again.

9. Fire extinguishers

Why find them: an extinguisher that is hidden behind storage or forgotten in a cabinet may not be useful when seconds matter.

If extinguishers are already present:

• Find each one.
• Read its label.
• Record its type/model.
• Check for visible damage or corrosion.
• Follow its inspection/service instructions.

Keep the route to an extinguisher clear.

Owning an extinguisher does not mean you should fight every fire. Life safety and escape come first. If a fire is spreading, produces heavy smoke, blocks an exit, or cannot be controlled safely, get outside and call emergency services.

10. Indoor HVAC equipment

Why find it: you should know where the equipment that heats or moves air is before you need a service call or filter change.

Depending on the home, the indoor equipment may be:

• A furnace.
• An air handler.
• A boiler.
• Ductless indoor units.
• Other heating equipment.

Common locations include basements, utility rooms, mechanical closets, garages, and sometimes attics.

Record the manufacturer, model number, serial number, fuel type if clearly documented, and last known service date.

Do not remove service panels just to identify equipment. Our guide What Is an HVAC System? explains the common configurations.

11. Outdoor HVAC unit

Why find it: a central air conditioner or air-source heat pump commonly has outdoor equipment that needs clear airflow and model information for service.

Walk the exterior and locate the unit from ground level.

Record:

• Brand.
• Model and serial number.
• Whether service records call it an AC or heat pump.
• Any visible damage.

ENERGY STAR recommends keeping indoor and outdoor HVAC equipment clear of ordinary debris such as leaves, dust, and snow.

Do not open the cabinet, reach through the fan grille, disturb refrigerant lines, or spray electrical components.

12. HVAC filter

Why find it: this is one of the recurring homeowner maintenance items you are most likely to handle yourself.

Common filter locations include:

• A slot beside a furnace or air handler.
• A filter cabinet in the return duct.
• A return-air grille.
• More than one return location in some homes.

Record:

• Filter dimensions.
• Thickness.
• Current rating.
• Airflow-arrow direction.
• How many filters the system uses.

ENERGY STAR recommends checking central HVAC filters monthly and cleaning or replacing them when dirty according to the system requirements.

See How Often Should You Change Your HVAC Filter? for the full interval guide.

13. Water heater

Why find it: the water heater is a major water-containing appliance that can require service, leak, or have fuel/electrical safety considerations.

Common locations include:

• Basement.
• Garage.
• Utility closet.
• Mechanical room.
• Other code-compliant equipment spaces.

Photograph the accessible rating label and record:

• Brand.
• Model.
• Serial number.
• Tank or tankless.
• Energy/fuel type if clearly identified.
• Installation date if known.

Do not operate relief valves, gas controls, electrical covers, or service components merely to learn how they work. If you see active water, significant corrosion, soot, damaged venting, or burned wiring, arrange qualified service.

14. Sump pump and discharge route

Why find it: if a sump pump protects your basement or crawl space, discovering it after water starts rising is too late.

Locate:

• The sump pit.
• The pump power source from normal access.
• The discharge pipe.
• Where the discharge exits outdoors.
• Any battery backup or secondary pump indicator.

Record the brand/model if visible and any previous service information.

Do not reach into a wet pit near electrical equipment or open sealed components. Ask a plumber or pump professional to explain the system if its operation is unfamiliar.

15. Sewer cleanout or septic-system information

Why find it: a plumber may ask about the main drain cleanout during a sewer backup, and septic professionals need to know where system components are located.

If the home is connected to municipal sewer, look for accessible cleanout locations identified by:

• The inspection report.
• Previous plumbing records.
• A visible capped fitting in a basement, crawl space, garage, or exterior area.

If the home uses septic, collect the records showing:

• Tank/system location.
• Last pumping/service date.
• Permit or design records if available.
• Service company.

Do not open a septic tank or enter a tank, pit, manhole, or other confined space.

16. Dryer exhaust outlet

Why find it: a clothes dryer should exhaust to an appropriate exterior termination, and the outside outlet gives you an easy place to notice changes in airflow.

From outside, locate the termination while the dryer is operating normally.

Look for:

• A flap or termination that opens as designed.
• Obvious lint buildup.
• Damage.
• Bird/animal nesting.
• A termination blocked by storage, vegetation, or snow.

USFA advises cleaning the lint filter before and after each load and cleaning the dryer vent pipe at least annually.

Our guide How Often Should You Clean a Dryer Vent? explains when to clean sooner.

17. GFCI reset locations

Why find them: a tripped GFCI can turn off several downstream outlets that do not have TEST and RESET buttons themselves.

Look for GFCI receptacles in areas such as:

• Bathrooms.
• Kitchens.
• Garage.
• Basement.
• Laundry area.
• Outdoors.

Protection may also be provided by a GFCI breaker in the electrical panel.

When you perform the manufacturer-directed test in dry, safe conditions, note which other outlets lose power. That creates a useful reset map for later.

Do not open outlet boxes to trace wiring. See What Is a GFCI Outlet? for a full explanation of downstream protection.

18. Garage-door opener emergency release and model label

Why find it: during a power outage or opener problem, the manufacturer's emergency-release procedure may allow the door to be disconnected from the powered opener. You also need the opener model number for correct safety instructions and replacement parts.

Locate:

• The opener's model/serial label.
• The wall control.
• Photo-eye safety sensors.
• The emergency-release handle/cord described by the manufacturer.

Read the opener manual before you need emergency release. A garage door can be extremely heavy if springs or counterbalance components are damaged.

If the door is unusually heavy, has broken springs/cables, moves unpredictably, or fails its safety-reversal test, use a qualified garage-door professional.

19. Exterior faucets and irrigation controls

Why find them: outdoor plumbing can leak, freeze, waste water, or need seasonal shutdown depending on the climate.

Locate:

• Each hose bibb/exterior faucet.
• Any clearly documented interior isolation valves serving them.
• Irrigation controller.
• Irrigation shutoff/backflow equipment where homeowner access is intended.
• Service records or winterization notes.

In freezing regions, learn the exact winterization procedure for the installed system before cold weather arrives. Do not assume every “frost-free” faucet or irrigation system is maintained the same way.

EPA WaterSense recommends checking irrigation systems for leaks, broken heads, and water being directed where it is not needed.

20. Major appliance and equipment model/serial labels

Why find them: the name printed on the front of an appliance usually is not enough to identify the exact manual, part, filter, warranty, or recall.

Photograph the model-and-serial label for:

• Refrigerator.
• Dishwasher.
• Range/oven.
• Microwave.
• Washer.
• Dryer.
• Furnace or air handler.
• Outdoor AC/heat pump.
• Boiler.
• Water heater.
• Garage-door opener.
• Water-treatment equipment.

Keep the full-resolution image. Tiny suffixes and characters can matter when ordering parts or checking recalls.

Do not move a gas appliance, disconnect plumbing, remove an electrical service panel, or climb onto a roof just to find a label. Our guide Where Do I Find My Appliance Model Number? covers common label locations.

Turn the 20-item walkthrough into a one-page home map

The walkthrough becomes much more useful when the information is easy for someone else to use.

Create a simple document with:

Also include the phone numbers for:

• Water utility.
• Electric utility.
• Gas utility or propane supplier.
• Plumber.
• Electrician.
• HVAC company.
• Building management or HOA emergency contact where applicable.

Keep a digital copy somewhere accessible away from the home. Ready.gov recommends knowing your utility shutoffs and maintaining important preparedness information before emergencies occur.

What should you label?

Once an item has been positively identified, clear labels can save time later.

Useful labels include:

• MAIN WATER SHUTOFF
• HVAC FILTER — SIZE ___
• SUMP PUMP
• EXTERIOR FAUCET SHUTOFF where correctly identified
• IRRIGATION CONTROL

Do not put homemade labels on unfamiliar electrical, gas, fire-sprinkler, or utility-owned controls until a qualified person has confirmed what they actually operate.

Things you should locate but not necessarily operate

Finding something and operating it are different tasks.

A first-time homeowner can reasonably identify:

• A main water valve.
• Electrical equipment.
• A gas meter.
• A sump pump.
• HVAC service switches.
• Drain cleanouts.

That does not mean every control should be turned, opened, reset, or tested casually.

Use the manufacturer, utility, plumber, electrician, HVAC technician, or other qualified professional to explain equipment when:

• The control is unlabeled.
• The valve is corroded or leaking.
• The electrical device is damaged.
• Gas is involved.
• The system serves multiple units.
• The equipment is behind a service cover.
• You cannot tell what will happen when it is operated.

What if you cannot find one of these things?

Do not assume the house simply does not have it.

Useful places to check include:

• Home inspection report.
• Seller disclosures and records.
• Utility account information.
• Original building plans or permits if available.
• Appliance manuals.
• Previous contractor invoices.
• HOA or building management documentation.

For something important such as the main water shutoff, sewer cleanout, septic location, or electrical disconnect, ask the appropriate professional to identify it during a normal service visit.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important thing to locate first in a new house?

The main water shutoff is one of the highest-priority controls because an uncontrolled plumbing leak can cause major damage quickly. The electrical panel, smoke alarms, CO alarms, and utility emergency information belong in the same first-day group.

Is the main water shutoff the valve by the water meter?

Sometimes, but not always. A meter area may contain both utility-side and homeowner-side valves. Do not assume every valve in the meter box is yours to operate.

Is the main breaker always inside the electrical panel?

No. Some homes have a service disconnect outside or in a separate enclosure. Identify the arrangement from labels and professional/utility documentation rather than assuming.

Do I need to know how to shut off the gas?

You should know which utility or supplier serves the home and where the meter or tank is. Follow that provider's emergency guidance. Do not practice operating an unfamiliar gas valve simply as part of a walkthrough.

How do I know which outlets are protected by a GFCI?

One GFCI receptacle or breaker may protect other outlets downstream. During a normal manufacturer-directed GFCI test, note which outlets lose power and record the relationship.

What if I cannot find my HVAC filter?

Check the furnace/air-handler return side, a dedicated filter cabinet, or return-air grilles. Use the exact HVAC manual or ask the service technician rather than placing an additional filter where it may restrict airflow.

Should I find the sewer cleanout even if I have never had a clog?

Yes. Knowing its location can save time if a main drain or sewer problem occurs. Do not open it just to inspect inside.

Why should I photograph model and serial numbers?

They help identify the correct manual, compatible part, filter, warranty information, service procedure, and recall applicability. A clear photo also prevents errors when characters are hard to read later.

Should I test every valve when I move in?

No. Identify them first. A badly corroded or old valve can begin leaking or break when forced. Have questionable valves evaluated before depending on them in an emergency.

Should everyone in the household know these locations?

Responsible household members should at minimum know the main water shutoff, electrical panel, alarms, exits, and emergency contacts. A one-page home map makes that easier.

The simple rule

If a professional might ask “Where is your _____?” during an emergency call, find it before the emergency.

The best outcome of this walkthrough is not that you operate 20 pieces of equipment. It is that you can walk directly to the main water shutoff, panel, alarms, HVAC equipment, filter, water heater, sump pump, drainage access, and other important locations without guessing.

Photograph them, label the controls that have been positively identified, save model numbers and service contacts, and keep access clear. A quiet hour spent locating the house's important systems can save a lot of confusion when something eventually goes wrong.