Daylight Saving Time 2015 Dates: 5 Facts About DST

Spring is coming soon and here are some notes about Daylight Saving Time.

1. What is Daylight Saving Time?

Every year, the clock is set an hour forward in summer and moves that hour to the evening. Summer's sun rise is very early so they adjust to the sun to maximize the light potential.

"That way, all activities start one hour earlier and maximum daylight can be used until later in the evening. Many people also get a chance to go out, play sports, etc., after work and enjoy the summer weather," according to IMMIHELP.

IMMIHELP also took a catch phrase, "Spring ahead, fall back," to easily remember the DST adjustments for the spring season.

"The time actually changes at 2 a.m. local time. It becomes 3 a.m. in the spring and 1 a.m. in the fall. However, as a practical matter, most people can just change the clocks before going to sleep the previous night or in the morning after getting up.

2. Which areas have and do not have DST?

Spring adjustment in the U.S. would include regions like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston, Boston, Miami, Atlanta and San Francisco.

On the other hand, other regions on the U.S. do not follow DST like Arizona (except for a small portion in Arizona called Navajo Indian Reservation). Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are also excluded in DST.

3. When will it start?

The Daylight Saving Time (DST) will be in effect starting Mar. 8 at 2 a.m. EST to Nov. 1 at 2 a.m. EST. For 2016, the DST will start on Mar. 13 at 2 a.m. EST.

4. DST Rules

New DST rules were implemented by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. They have updated the rules in 2007 "for the first time in more than 20 years." DST is implemented to reduce energy consumption. The new rules adjust the DST timeline so there will be lengthened DST in one month. The new DST timeline will now run for 238 days, which is equivalent to 65 percent of the year.

5. How will NIST time be affected by DST?

For computers set on the NIST Time, to be able to have the DST update, be sure to have the latest software updates installed. For Microsoft products go to this link for adjusting to the DST timeline. Other OS's should also have DST patches available. Here is a link for other OS's DST information.