Does Daylight Saving Time actually save energy?
Quick Answer: Daylight Saving Time can save some energy, mainly by reducing the need for electric lighting in the evening. However, the overall energy savings are often small and vary depending on location, lifestyle, and modern energy use patterns.
Daylight Saving Time shifts an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening, so people tend to use less artificial light after work or school. This was more effective decades ago when lighting was a bigger part of energy use.
Today, energy consumption includes heating, cooling, and electronics, which are less affected by the clock change. In some places, DST can even increase energy use, especially if extra cooling is needed in the longer evenings.
So, while DST might save a little energy, it’s not the clear-cut energy saver it was once thought to be.