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Kitchen Appliances

Refrigerator

A rectangle approximately 36 by 30 inches, sometimes with a door swing arc. May show a split line for French doors or side-by-side models. Typically labeled REF.

Also: fridge, refrigerator-freezer

Found in: Kitchen, garage, basement, butler's pantry

Stove / Range

A 30-inch-wide rectangle with four circles representing burners arranged in a grid. Freestanding ranges include the oven; a separate cooktop shows only the burner circles in a counter cutout.

Also: range, cooktop, stove

Found in: Kitchen counter runs, kitchen islands (cooktop only)

Dishwasher

A 24-inch-wide rectangle placed next to the sink in the counter run, labeled DW. May show a different fill pattern from cabinets to indicate the appliance location.

Also: DW, dish washer

Found in: Adjacent to kitchen sink

Microwave

A small rectangle above the range or within the cabinet line, labeled MW. Over-the-range models also serve as the range hood ventilation.

Also: MW, microwave oven

Found in: Above range, built into cabinetry, on countertop

Garbage Disposal

Usually indicated by a label GD or note at the kitchen sink drain rather than a separate symbol. Shows that a food waste grinding unit is installed below the sink.

Also: disposer, food waste disposer

Found in: Under kitchen sink drain

Laundry Appliances

Washing Machine

A rectangle approximately 27 by 30 inches with a circle inside representing the drum, often labeled W. Requires hot and cold water supply lines and a drain connection.

Also: washer, clothes washer, laundry machine

Found in: Laundry rooms, laundry closets, utility rooms, garages, basements

Dryer

A rectangle approximately 27 by 30 inches placed beside the washer, often labeled D. Requires either a 240V outlet (electric) or gas line plus a vent to the exterior.

Also: clothes dryer, tumble dryer

Found in: Laundry rooms next to the washer, near an exterior wall for venting

Mechanical Equipment

Water Heater

A circle (tank-style, 18 to 24 inches diameter) or small rectangle (tankless), labeled WH. Connected to supply and distribution plumbing lines.

Also: hot water heater, HWH, boiler

Found in: Utility rooms, garages, basements, mechanical closets

HVAC Unit

A rectangle labeled with the unit type — furnace, air handler, or heat pump. Indoor units are in mechanical spaces; outdoor condensers appear on the site plan as rectangles with fan circles.

Also: furnace, air handler, heat pump, AC unit

Found in: Mechanical closets, attics, basements, garages, exterior pads

How to Read Appliance Floor Plan Symbols

Appliance symbols are typically simple rectangles drawn to the actual footprint of each unit, with labels or internal details to identify the specific appliance. In the kitchen, a refrigerator is about 36 inches wide, a range is 30 inches, and a dishwasher is 24 inches. These standard widths help you identify them even without labels.

Laundry appliances — the washer and dryer — appear as two equal-sized rectangles (typically 27 to 30 inches wide) side by side or stacked. The washer is usually closer to the plumbing connections and may have supply lines drawn to it. The dryer is placed near an exterior wall for venting. Stacked units are drawn as a single rectangle with a dividing line.

HVAC equipment includes furnaces, air handlers, and condensing units. Indoor units are drawn as rectangles in mechanical closets, basements, or attics. Outdoor condensing units appear on the site plan as rectangles or circles, usually on a concrete pad against the exterior wall. Ductwork may be shown as dashed lines running through the plan.

Water heaters are circles (tank models, 18 to 24 inches diameter) or small rectangles (tankless models), labeled WH. They need specific clearances for combustion air and maintenance access. Check that the plan shows adequate space around the water heater for servicing and code-required clearances from combustible materials.

Common Mistakes

A frequent error is confusing the washer and dryer locations — the washer needs hot and cold supply lines plus a drain, while the dryer needs a vent to the exterior and either a gas line or 240V outlet. Swapping their positions usually will not work. People also forget that the HVAC condenser needs outdoor placement with clearance on all sides for airflow. Finally, many overlook that a gas range needs a gas line and an electric range needs a 240V circuit — the plan should indicate which is provided.

Pro Tips

• The washer must be near plumbing supply and drain — look for it on a wet wall shared with a kitchen or bathroom.
• Dryers need a vent path to the exterior wall — the shorter the vent run, the better the performance and safety.
• Check HVAC condenser placement on the site plan — it needs at least 24 inches of clearance on all sides.

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