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Q. What is the best type of flooring to use when remodeling bathrooms (one currently has very old tile, one is old linoleum) in order to update their looks? - KATHI DAVIS OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

A. This is a good question that can be a little subjective based on the word “best.” The most popular bath flooring to use for upgrades has been either ceramic or porcelain tile. These materials are time-tested in that they can stand up to use in high-moisture areas like a bathroom. They come in a variety of styles, colors, and sizes. It is important not to select a tile size that is too large for the room. For an average-size bathroom, you can use 12-by-12 size tile. If the room is larger than average, going to an 18-by-18 size will be okay. Remember to add strength to the floor by using a product like Hardibacker or Durock to prevent cracks in both the grout lines and the tile. This will raise the height of your floor from what it used to be by the thickness of the backer board. When using tile, you can also use it as a 3” or 4” high baseboard to finish the look. - TED KUZIELA, DREAMMAKER BATH & KITCHEN OF GILBERT, ARIZONA

Q. We need to remodel an old bathroom; where do we start? I’m afraid to bite off more than I can chew. - TERESA COWAN OF DEL RIO, TEXAS

A. Begin by gathering as much information as possible to assist you in making most of the critical remodeling decisions. First, go to the local newsstand, pick up some home magazines, and look at the ideas presented. Clip out the ones that you like. It may be the design, style, or colors that appeal to you. Put these clippings in an envelope. The more the merrier, by the way. Next, ask friends or family who may have had bathroom remodeling work done who they used for design, materials purchase, and installation. Referrals and references are a great source for terrific designers and remodeling contractors.

Give these referrals a call and set up an appointment to visit with them to present your ideas, your overflowing envelope, and ask their advice about budgets and realistic remodeling costs. This will help you in making sound decisions and hopefully keep you from breaking the bank. - STEVE RICH, DREAMMAKER BATH & KITCHEN OF GIG HARBOR, WASHINGTON

Q. We have electric only in our condo. I’m told we have a heat pump. What’s the difference between a heat pump and a furnace? Is a heat pump used for A/C and heat? - CATHERINE SKYRM OF FLORENCE, KENTUCKY

A. If you have had a gas furnace in the past, you will notice that during the heating season, the air coming from the registers will not be as warm with the heat pump. Don’t be alarmed, as the heat pump moves more air at a lower temperature. The net heating effect is nearly the same with either heating system. - RICHARD CIRESI, AIRE SERV OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

Q. I’m considering changing from forced-air heat to radiant heat. I have my central air combined with heat. Will I have to redo my air conditioner too? - B. QUINNAN OF ROSEVILLE, MICHIGAN

A. Today, your central air-conditioning unit works in tandem with your furnace. Therefore, if your plans are to switch from a forced-air heat to radiant heat, you will still need a cooling system in your home. In your current situation, you can utilize your furnace’s blower capability, or you can install an air-handling unit that will allow you to still utilize your existing air-duct system for air-conditioning. And, of course, you will need a boiler system to heat the radiant floors.

However, for the most optimal way to save on your energy bills and have a radiant-heat system, geothermal heat pumps (in this case, a water-to-water heat pump) are a superior choice over the typical boiler system. A geothermal heating and cooling system is an all-in-one way to heat and cool the air, while producing virtually free hot water through the reuse of piped energy to your hot-water heater.

A geothermal system is renewable energy that uses the ground as a storage bank to move heat to and from your home. It accomplishes this through a buried series of pipes that circulate a fluid to transfer the heat energy to and from the heat pump. This means no more gas heating bills, and up to a 70 percent reduction on energy usage. By using the constant temperature of the earth to heat and cool your home, it’s like having your own energy well in your backyard! - AARON AND JODI VANDEN BERG, AIRE SERV OF KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN

Q. My water takes a long time to heat up. How can we decrease the wait time at the faucet? - KARLEEN MCHEAL OF MT. PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA

A. A circulation pump on the hot-water system will solve this problem. There are add-on systems currently available that can eliminate the wasted water and provide instant hot water at the faucet. - KEITH GLASS, MR. ROOTER PLUMBING OF WACO, TEXAS

Q. I had a sewer line repaired for rootdamage. They covered the new line with cement. I heard that was not a good idea. Is that true? MARLEEN SHAKELUND OF BOUNTIFUL, UTAH

A. If your existing sewer line is made of terra-cotta or vitrified clay and it was repaired with the same type of pipe, this is very common. Cement is used to seal the joints. If the sewer line was repaired with cast iron or PVC, cement should not have been used. - KEITH GLASS, MR. ROOTER PLUMBING OF WACO, TEXAS

Q. I’d like to do some outdoor lighting. How do you get the wiring from the breaker box to the lights 200 feet away? Should we go through walls or under the concrete driveway? - DON LAYTON OF BISHOP, GEORGIA

A. Depending on the wall, and wall footing, it is quite common to dig a trench up to the wall, burrow under the footing, then continue the trench. Driveways are difficult in that you quite often have to cut and patch concrete or asphalt, and it is difficult to match the existing color and texture.

There may be a sleeve in place for irrigation, or a relief cut (groove) that you can utilize, to get from one side to the other. Because of the width, it is usually very difficult to tunnel across.

Check your local codes; there are specific requirements for this type of work. You may want to contact a qualified, licensed electrical contractor in your area for assistance. - JIM FOLTZ, FRANCHISE SYSTEMS MANAGER OF WACO, TEXAS

Q. Electricity is skyrocketing, and I have about 50 decorative lights in my yard. Are they using an excessive amount of electricity?
DAIS JOHNSON OF MITCHELLVILLE, MARYLAND

A. The amount of electricity used is based on the total watts and how long the lights are on. You can determine a fairly accurate cost by using the following calculation:
Total Watts x Hours of Operation x KWH Rate / by 1,000

Example:
:: 50 lights x 20 watts each = 1,000 total watts
:: 5 hours each night x 31 nights a month = 155 hours
:: KWH =.13 (your utility bill should show this rate)
1,000 total watts x 155 x .13 / 1,000 = $20.15 (cost to operate the decorative yard lights per month)
- JIM FOLTZ, FRANCHISE SYSTEMS MANAGER OF WACO, TEXAS