Daylight Saving Time: Here’s everything you need to know

The annual tradition of adjusting our clocks for Daylight Saving Time is approaching on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 2 am. However, with modern technology such as computers, smartphones, and DVRs automatically changing the time for us, the process has become much less of a hassle. The only exception may be for certain household appliances like microwaves and ovens, which still require manual adjustment, unless they are smart devices.

Who is responsible for overseeing DST?

The United States Department of Transportation is responsible for overseeing Daylight Saving Time and all time zones within the US.


The official adoption of Daylight Saving Time in the United States took place in 1966 with the implementation of the Uniform Time Act. This law established DST as a national standard and gave states the option to either observe the time change or remain on standard time throughout the year.

In an effort to conserve energy, the federal government extended the duration of Daylight Saving Time in 2007. It now begins at 2 am on the second Sunday of March and ends at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday of November, accounting for approximately 65 per cent of the year.

While states are allowed to opt out of Daylight Saving Time under federal law, they must receive approval from Congress before making standard time permanent throughout the year.

Do we gain or lose an hour during Daylight Saving Time?

When Daylight Saving Time begins, we "spring forward" and set our clocks ahead by one hour, which results in a loss of an hour of sleep as the day becomes 23 hours long. The extra hour of daylight is essentially moved from the morning to the evening. Standard time will not be reinstated until Sunday, November 5, 2023.

How many nations follow Daylight Saving Time?

Over 70 nations globally follow Daylight Saving Time, known as Summer Time in some countries such as the United Kingdom and Europe. However, the exact amount of energy saved globally each year due to Daylight Saving Time is uncertain.

What was the purpose behind the creation of Daylight Saving Time?

According to the DOT, the main reason behind Daylight Saving Time is to conserve energy. The idea behind it is that with the later sunset, people are more likely to spend more time outdoors and less time indoors, leading to reduced electricity usage for lighting and household appliances.

FAQs:

1. Which states don’t observe daylight saving time?
   Hawaii and Arizona.
2. When did Daylight saving time start?
   It came as a suggestion by Benjamin Franklin in 1784.