Spring forward with energy savings

Spring Forward
As you move your clocks ahead for daylight saving time, there are also a few energy saving tips you should consider as well.

Power for Progress…

A weekly column from the Grand River Dam Authority

Spring forward with energy savings

Daylight saving time makes its official return to Oklahoma at 2AM on Sunday, March 12, when we all “spring forward” by moving our clocks up one hour. While we all may lose one hour of sleep that night, over the long term the time change will equal more light in the evenings and, when it finally warms up, more of us will be spending time outdoors.

Whether you are a fan of daylight saving time or not, there are some steps you can take this time of year to that will equal “energy saving time” as well. 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. When you adjust your clocks, reverse your ceiling fans as well. During the winter months, they rotate one way (clockwise) and help to push the warm air down. However, springing ahead is a good time to change that rotation to counterclockwise, 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 there is not much you can do to recover that hour of sleep you lose when “springing forward” these are some things you can do to conserve 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.