Is energy saved during Daylight Saving Time?

Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:48 PM by Monica Quintero
Updated: Mar 9, 2010 9:48 PM

Daylight Saving Time is right around the corner. It's meant to save energy but does it? There are mixed reviews. Back in 2005, the Federal Energy Policy Act was passed extending Daylight Saving Time by four weeks. The first extension went into place in 2007. Again, it was all designed to save energy.

Daylight Saving Time kicks back in this weekend. We "spring ahead" on Sunday, losing an hour of sleep. These days, it starts three weeks earlier than it once did.

Kory Raftery, PG&E Spokesman, said, "It has made a slight difference." It seems the effort to conserve energy has made an impact in our state. Raftery said, "We have found through the California Energy studies that over the extended Daylight Saving Time period, folks are actually saving a combined 11 million kilowatt hours or enough to power 1600 homes in California."

But there are some who question if it actually wastes more energy than it saves. Tom Ikeda, local farmer, said, "I'm just not sure how, if it really effects the electrical use that much. At least, for a farmer." Employees of the farm in the Arroyo Grande Valley will soon have to start their work day later." Ikeda said, "The electricity we're saving maybe in the evening, we're using in the morning. We're getting up even earlier and those light switches go on, the coffee maker goes on and all that."

"Basically in reducing our energy demand, we're going to save a slight amount each year but that slight amount adds up," said Raftery.

Is extending Daylight Saving Time worth it? It appears only time will tell. Farmers said one other area of concern is the time period to water their crops. They say Daylight Saving Time cuts into the off peak energy hours which of course, is less expensive.