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Q. If I convert a guest bathtub into a walk-in shower (my master bath has a walk-in shower as well) does this make a house harder to sell? - ANITA METZ, FLORIDA

A. The answer to this question may be determined by who you think your potential buyers will be. Your local Realtor is your best source for this information. If your potential buyers will be families, most of them will definitely need a bathtub for smaller children. Having at least one bathtub in your home will appeal to more potential buyers. - PAUL FYKE, DREAMMAKER BATH & KITCHEN, TEXAS

Q. Is it terribly difficult to install plumbing for a wet bar? Does Mr. Rooter Plumbing do this sort of thing? - TAYLOR MATTHEW, TEXAS

A. This can be a challenge depending on where the three main components are in relation to the wet bar. You will need a cold and hot water connection and a drain. Assuming these are in place, it may be as simple as connecting supply lines. If not, you may need an expert to help get them in place for you. If you plan on tackling this job yourself, just keep your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing number handy, and we will send a technician over if needed. - JEFF MOODY, MR. ROOTER PLUMBING, TEXAS

Q. If I run my air conditioner ay a low temperature (such as 67 degrees) all night, will it wear out quicker?) - CATHY GLICK, TEXAS

A.The lower the temperature the thermostat is set on, the longer the air conditioning unit will run. Think of it like your car. If you only drive your car 10,000 miles a year versus 50,000 miles a year, the car will last longer with fewer repairs.

Therefore, the low temperature requires the unit to run more often and for longer periods, which wears the compressor and fan motor out sooner. However, proper maintenance twice a year will greatly increase the life of the unit and reduce the cost to operate it by maintaining maximum energy efficiency for your unit.

A better option is to install zoning, which allows you to cool only your bedroom to 67°. By not cooling the whole house to 67°, you will reduce the wear and tear on your unit, extend its life expectancy, and reduce energy bills. - G. ANDREW SMITH, AIRE SERV OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS

Q. To remodel a kitchen in stages, where is the best place to start? Countertops? Cabinets? Appliances? - MICKEY DEGRAFF, TEXAS

A. A kitchen is usually the most difficult room to do in stages because most of the parts are so integral to the others. Plan your stages ahead carefully in order to avoid costly re-dos that happen when your stages do not fit together well. Also, expect to pay more to do a remodel in stages—you will lose the economies of scale of a full remodel completed at once.

Staging works best when the layout of the kitchen does not change, the cabinetry and countertop footprint remains the same, and the sizes of the new and the old appliances are the same. Choose your new appliances first. Cabinets and countertops are best done together at the same time to avoid reinstalls. - LYNN AND SANDY MONSON, DREAMMAKER BATH & KITCHEN, MINNESOTA

Q. How do you make your water heater last longer when you have hard water? - PATRICK GERRARD, UTAH

A. You can increase the life expectancy of your water heater by installing a water softener. Water softeners will remove the minerals from your water, and you should see an improvement in the life of your tank. - GREG SCHADL, MR. ROOTER PLUMBING, IOWA

Q. We have light switches that seem to go to nothing. How do we find out what they are for? - SANDY WAGON, TEXAS

A. Sometimes the top or bottom half of outlets are controlled by a switch. Plug a light or appliance into the outlets in the vicinity. If you find one that doesn’t work, turn the switch on to see if that turns on the outlet. If this doesn’t reveal the answer, it is recommended you contact a qualified, licensed electrical contractor to trace the switched wires. - STEVEN HILL, MR. ELECTRIC, NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA

Q. Regarding tile backsplash and stone walls, can these be combined with other materials for countertops? (I love my walls and backsplash but not my countertops.) - LIBBY VOLL, CALIFORNIA

A. Yes! There are so many countertop materials available today that you have a plethora of choices. First, determine what it is you dislike about your existing countertops—care, color, surface texture, etc. Then sit down with a countertop specialist to review the options available to you. The style and color of your cabinetry will also come into play with this decision. You may find that combining different materials such as wood, laminate, and manufactured stone works best for your space and your lifestyle. - RUBY LYONS, DREAMMAKER BATH & KITCHEN, MASSACHUSETTS

Q. Why does the water in my toilet run for a long periods of time? - J. ROBINSON, TEXAS

A. The water continues to run because a seal is leaking, keeping the water level from reaching its cutoff position. The tank probably needs to be rebuilt by a plumber with a new flush tube, flapper, and water-leveling device. - MARK VODICKA, MR. ROOTER PLUMBING, NEBRASKA

Q. Should my computer audio make a sound change when the light switch on the same wall is turned on? Should I be concerned? - JOYCE SHOCKLEY, KENTUCKY

A. I suspect that the speakers are being affected by an electromagnetic field. Try moving the speakers and speaker wires several inches away from the electric wires. Or try plugging the computer into a different outlet, on a different circuit. It is also recommended that a dedicated circuit be installed for computers, to help eliminate unwanted noise and distortion, such as you are describing. You can also try an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with electronic noise filtering or contact a qualified, licensed electrical contractor to check your electrical system, and make recommendations. - STEVEN HILL, MR. ELECTRIC, NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA

Q. We have a ceiling fan that was installed with a switch for adjusting the speed. The problem is that it hums when it is on. All other fans in the home do not. What do you think the problem is? Could it be a defective switch? - HENRY MARZULLO, PENNSYLVANIA

A. It is most likely a compatibility problem between the fan and control device. Check the device to make sure it is for fan speed control, not for dimming the lights. Check the literature that came with the fan, does it suggest a specific device? Make sure the fan is in the high-speed position. Quite often, a positive position device (three or four specific speeds) rather than a rheostat type device will eliminate the hum also. - JIM FOLTZ, MR. ELECTRIC SENIOR SERVICE PROFESSIONAL