Daylight Saving Time 2016: When Does It Begin?

Love it or hate it, Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday, March 13, 2016.

Officially the time change is at 2 a.m. Sunday, but if you have an analog clock—you know, the ones that don’t automatically change like your smartphone does—you will want to advance the time by an hour before you go to bed.

“Spring ahead,” get it?

The thought that the practice saves money and energy, the rationale behind Daylight Saving Time, is in doubt by many.

An article on the National Geographic website said a study of Indiana, which up until 2006 had counties that did and did not observe the practice, found that lighting demand did drop when Daylight Saving Time goes into effect but the savings were offset by the use of more air-conditioning.

There have even been studies that say the change in time changes biological rhythms, increasing the risk of heart attacks, the National Geographic reported.

The reality is that sunrise will be later, but so will sunset. Right now, sunrise is around 6:20 a.m. and the sun sets about 5:50 p.m.

On Sunday, the first day of Daylight Saving Time, the sun will rise at 7:10 a.m. and set at 6:59 p.m.

Change Clocks, Change Smoke Detector Batteries

With Daylight Saving Time usually comes the semi-annual reminder to change the batteries in your home’s smoke detectors.

That is still good advice, but it might be a better idea to take the opportunity to buy the new smoke- and CO-detecting devices mandated now in New York State.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation last year preventing the sale of smoke detectors that have removable batteries, according to an article at democratandchronicle.com.

Beginning in 2017, stores will only be allowed to sell detectors with a power source that cannot be removed and lasts about 10 years.