Power for Progress: Saving daylight and saving energy

More daylight means more time for backyard swings
And as we swing into daylight savings time, GRDA is sharing a few tips that may help you save some energy this time of year.

Power for Progress…

A weekly column from the Grand River Dam Authority

Saving daylight and saving energy

We all “sprang forward” this past weekend with the initiation of Daylight-Saving Time (DST). Each year, this move of the clocks takes place, giving us all a little more sunlight in the evenings. For many of us, that means more time spent outdoors, in the backyard, on the water or enjoying a number of other activities.

While some may debate the advantages or disadvantages of DST, one thing is for certain. DST is a good time to be reminded of some important steps that can help you save energy in your home. Here are a few to keep in mind:

1. Open your curtains and allow the sunlight to help heat your homes. That “extra” hour of evening sun can help take the chill away during the cold March evenings.
2. As you adjust your clocks, reverse your ceiling fans as well. During the winter months, they rotate one way and help to push the warm air down. However, springing ahead is a good time to change that rotation, so that they will draw the warm air upward during the coming summer months.
3. Also, remember to adjust your thermostat to fit your daylight-saving time schedule. If you plan to be outdoors longer in the evenings, you can save energy by not heating or cooling your home as much during those times.

While we cannot do anything to help you recover the hour of sleep you lost while springing forward, these tips can help you conserve a bit more energy during this time of year.

GRDA is Oklahoma’s largest public power electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, employees, and efficiency.