How Making Daylight Saving Time Permanent Affects Homeowners

Currently, most homeowners change their clocks twice a year: forward by one hour on the second Sunday in March and back by one hour on the first Sunday in November. 

However, this longstanding ritual may come to an end, thanks to the Sunshine Protection Act, which was passed by the U.S. House and aims to make daylight saving time permanent year-round.

If passed by the Senate and signed into law, the act would lead to lighter evenings and darker mornings. And whether it’ll work in your favor depends on where you live. 

Homeowners in Alabama, Florida, and Texas, for example, would enjoy more usable daylight while those in Maine, Michigan, and Wisconsin could see much later sunrises and limited daylight hours.

Regardless of where you live, it’s important to understand how permanent daylight saving time might affect your home and lifestyle. That way you can prepare for the changes if the legislation does become law. 

The impact on homeowners 

With more daylight in the evening, you’ll be less reliant on artificial indoor lighting when you’re awake and active. And this could slightly reduce your electricity use. 

However, any savings may be offset by increased heating and cooling demands. 

“The dark, cold winter mornings that stem from permanent daylight savings would mean that your furnace will need to work harder before sunrise,” says Brandon Young, CEO of Payless Power in Fort Worth, TX. 

In the summer, the additional sunlight can keep your house warmer later into the evening, forcing your air conditioner to run when energy use is the highest. 

“As for the landscaping, additional sunlight can allow you to take care of your lawn in the evening rather than wait for the weekend. You might also have to adjust when you water and maintain your lawn,” Young explains.

More sunlight can also improve the security of your home as most perpetrators commit their crimes at night when it’s dark outside. 

Lastly, if you plan to list your home in the future, the extra daylight could help you out.

“Since most buyers look at homes in the evenings, you’ll have more opportunities to show your home in the winter months,” Young says.

Plus, the natural lighting can provide a better view of your home’s exterior, landscape, and overall curb appeal.

Tips to optimize smart home schedules and adjust to darker winter mornings 

There are several ways you can prepare for the darker winter mornings you’ll face if permanent daylight saving time becomes law. 

First, start with your smart thermostat. 

“Allow it to preheat your house 30 to 45 minutes prior to your alarm clock going off—not all night long,” explains Young.

Marcus Griswold, founder of Little Green Myths in Vallejo, CA, suggests closing the doors and turning off the heat in rooms you’re not using. 

“Some smart systems also help you isolate unused rooms by sensing when someone is present. This is known as zoned heating,” Griswold explains. 

Also, take advantage of smart shades that can stay open during the day to heat your home and close with the sunset to hold in the warmth in the winter. 

Additionally, use the gradual sunrise option on your smart bulbs, which will mimic the increase in brightness. Place the smart bulbs in bedrooms, bathrooms, and hallways to help enhance alertness as you wake up and get into your routine. 

Don’t forget to be patient with yourself as it might take some time for your body to get used to the change. 

“In our survey, 84% of Americans claim it takes at least one day to adjust to a new time after the time change, while 29% say it takes at least one week. Setting your smart home devices like thermostats and lighting to automatically adjust can make the transition easier,” Young explains.

And if you use time-of-use pricing from your utility company, schedule the dishwasher and the laundry to work outside of peak hours. Doing so can lead to cheaper rates and potentially save you some serious cash.