As electronics move into every corner of our lives, most of them require batteries to operate. As these batteries die, the consequences can be from a minor annoyance to catastrophic failure in your house when the heat goes off and the pipes freeze. To avoid these problems, large and small, you need to know where all the batteries are located and when to change them.

As many Sun City residents pack for warmer climates, it is important to spend an hour or so to prepare your house for the winter. When you are going to be away for a week or more you should prepare your home so there will be no surprises on your return.

Homes in Sun City are between 14 and 24 years old. In that length of time, some things may need to be reset. One of my neighbors complained that the shower temperature is not as hot as it used to be. Many people set the temperature higher on the water heater, but that is inefficient because all the water in the water heater is being stored at a temperature higher than necessary.