Saving Energy During the Daylight Saving Time Change
On Sunday, November 6, 2016, Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends at 2:00 a.m. To remember which way to set your clock, you’ve probably heard of, “spring forward, fall back.” So that means you set the clock forward in the spring, losing one hour, when DST starts on the last Sunday in March. And in the fall, you turn the clocks back one hour when DST ends, regaining an hour.
As a locally owned and family operated HVAC company in New Jersey, all of the staff at Lawes hope you and your family are enjoying the beautiful fall season. As we “fall back” an hour, it’s a good reminder to catch up on some things around the house and office to save on energy costs…and your body’s energy, too!
Why Daylight Saving Time?
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The original theory behind the time change is that it allows consumers to conserve energy otherwise spent on lighting. You know, back in 1784 when Benjamin Franklin conceived the idea to conserve candles. Though it wasn’t until the energy crisis of the 1970s that the U.S. Department of Transportation studied its effectiveness and found that electricity usage decreased by approximately 1 percent over standard time.
Technology Timing
Most of the tech world has become so automated that our phones, computers and TVs reset their time on their own. Even many thermostats have the ability to update their time automatically, but if it’s on the older side, it may need to be adjusted manually. The correct time on your thermostat makes for a more comfortable home (because the temperature will be what you want…when you want it) and will help save energy in the process.
Check and Test
You’ve likely heard this before, but it’s worth repeating. Daylight Saving Time is a perfect reminder to check smoke detector batteries and test carbon monoxide detectors. There’s nothing more practical you can do to ensure the safety of your home and family. It’s also a good time to check and change your furnace filter to make sure your heating unit will run well this winter and save energy costs. If it’s dirty and black, just clean it or swap it for a new one.
Efficient Equipment
One of the best ways to save energy in the winter is to ensure that your HVAC system is always functioning efficiently. When it comes to saving energy and home comfort, being prepared is always your best option. That’s why, at Lawes Heating and Cooling Company NJ, we provide certified oil and gas burner technicians, and air conditioning technicians available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
Adjusting Your Body to Daylight Saving Time Change
Wondering how daylight saving time affects your body’s energy? Turns out the change has some pretty noticeable physical and mental effects. Unsurprisingly, changing the clocks can mess with your sleep schedule, affecting your circadian rhythm. It’s been shown to trigger cluster headaches, even increase workplace injuries and incidents of car crashes.
To adapt to time changes, it could take about a day or more. Some experts suggest you get more exposure to sunlight during the day, reduce (or eliminate) caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, eat well and exercise to counteract the effects of the time change on your schedule.
The Lawes’ Philosophy….”We have a family business run like a family business – that’s how we retain employees and we treat our customers the same way.”