Energy Conservation with Daylight Saving Time

Sunday morning at 2 a.m. we will switch from standard time to Daylight Saving Time by setting our clocks forward one hour. Our clocks will remain an hour ahead of standard time until the first Sunday in November.

Why do we use Daylight Saving Time? During this eight month period, longer hours of sunlight allows us the luxury of using less energy for lighting our homes. 

Daylight Saving Time was established during World War I in efforts to regulate energy use. Congress passed the Uniform Time Act in 1966.

In 2005, the Energy Policy Act passed which purposely lengthened daylight savings in hopes to save 10,000 barrels of oil per day due to businesses using less energy during the daylight hours. It has been nearly impossible to measure how many, if any, barrels of oil are actually saved.

Though it’s still in effect in most U.S. states, many experts say it’s no longer necessary. National Geographic reported in December that several studies in recent years prove that Daylight Saving Time doesn’t actually save energy—and it might even result in an energy loss in the long run.

People enjoy more outdoor fun with the increased daylight in the evenings.

Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday at 2 a.m. Set your clock(s) forward one hour before bedtime Saturday. Remember to set your watches, microwave, oven, wall clocks and motor vehicle clocks.