diff --git a/src/HomeSpan.cpp b/src/HomeSpan.cpp
index 5869e3d..b45c04c 100644
--- a/src/HomeSpan.cpp
+++ b/src/HomeSpan.cpp
@@ -1556,7 +1556,7 @@ void SpanCharacteristic::setVal(double val){
 
 ///////////////////////////////
 
-int SpanCharacteristic::timeVal(){
+unsigned long SpanCharacteristic::timeVal(){
   
   return(homeSpan.snapTime-updateTime);
 }
diff --git a/src/HomeSpan.h b/src/HomeSpan.h
index 1dc08b4..861f90f 100644
--- a/src/HomeSpan.h
+++ b/src/HomeSpan.h
@@ -225,9 +225,9 @@ struct SpanCharacteristic{
   SpanRange *range=NULL;                   // Characteristic min/max/step; NULL = default values (optional)
   boolean *ev;                             // Characteristic Event Notify Enable (per-connection)
   
-  uint32_t aid=0;                               // Accessory ID - passed through from Service containing this Characteristic
+  uint32_t aid=0;                          // Accessory ID - passed through from Service containing this Characteristic
   boolean isUpdated=false;                 // set to true when new value has been requested by PUT /characteristic
-  unsigned long updateTime;                // last time value was updated (in millis) either by PUT /characteristic OR by setVal()
+  unsigned long updateTime=0;              // last time value was updated (in millis) either by PUT /characteristic OR by setVal()
   UVal newValue;                           // the updated value requested by PUT /characteristic
   SpanService *service=NULL;               // pointer to Service containing this Characteristic
       
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ struct SpanCharacteristic{
   void setVal(double value);                                                        // sets value of UVal value for FLOAT Characteristic type
 
   boolean updated(){return(isUpdated);}                                             // returns isUpdated
-  int timeVal();                                                                    // returns time elapsed (in millis) since value was last updated
+  unsigned long  timeVal();                                                         // returns time elapsed (in millis) since value was last updated
   
 };