The elimination of daylight-saving time is a frequently – and heatedly – discussed topic. Often, only the aspect of electricity consumption due to artificial lighting is considered. In a new study, Empa researchers have now analyzed whether daylight saving also has an impact on the heating and cooling energy required for office buildings, and what role climate change might play in this. The results should delight supporters of daylight-saving time.
This weekend it happens once again: We will put the clocks forward by one hour. With the start of daylight-saving time, discussions break out – as they do every year – about whether or not we should eliminate the time change – both in politics and in the wider society. Opponents argue that the time change impacts our health, for instance through sleep disturbances. Proponents, on the other hand, often bring forward the argument of saving electricity because of longer days, which means that less artificial light is needed. "That was the original intention behind the introduction of daylight saving. From our point of view, however, it makes sense to look not only at the impact on electricity savings in lighting, but on the overall energy consumption of a building," explains Sven Eggimann. Together with his colleague Massimo Fiorentini and other colleagues at Empa's Urban Energy Systems Lab, he has therefore determined whether and how the time change affects heating and cooling energy consumption.
Going Home Earlier Saves Energy
The scientists' hypothesis was that employees start their work an hour earlier in summer due to the time change, and thus leave the office earlier in the afternoon. Since most of the cooling happens later in the afternoon, this can save energy. The assumption behind this is that in an empty office the cooling can be reduced or even turned off completely. As buildings become more intelligent, this would be relatively easy to accomplish in the future.
Read more at Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)
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