Does Daylight Saving Time Save Energy?
In theory, the “spring forward” and “falling back” for Daylight Saving Time can reduce demand for evening lighting. Even Ben Franklin thought so.
The notion of using less power at night has long been linked with Daylight Saving Time.
Photographer: David Paul Morris/BloombergFor over 100 years, the US and other countries have been toying with time — moving the clocks forward an hour each spring to accommodate Daylight Saving Time, before setting them back again each fall. And for decades, politicians have been pushing to end the practice.
Earlier this month, US Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican from Florida, reintroduced the “Sunshine Protection Act,” which would do away with the “standard time” that takes place between November and March in favor of making Daylight Saving Time permanent. For those in New York City, for example, that would mean a sunrise around 8:20 a.m. and a sunset around 5:30 p.m. on the shortest winter days. The Senate unanimously passed the bill last year, but it faltered after the House of Representatives failed to take it up.