This is a Free article. You will receive access to the full text.

Does Daylight Saving Save Electricity? A Meta-Analysis

Free Article

Abstract:
The original rationale for adopting daylight saving time (DST) was energy savings. Modern research studies, however, question the magnitude and even direction of the effect of DST on electricity consumption. Representing the first meta-analysis in this literature, we collect 162 estimates from 44 studies and find that the mean reported estimate indicates slight electricity savings: 0.34% during the days when DST applies. The literature is not affected by publication bias, but the results vary systematically depending on the exact data and methodology applied. Using Bayesian model averaging we identify the most important factors driving the heterogeneity of the reported effects: data frequency, estimation technique (simulation vs. regression), and, importantly, the latitude of the country considered. Electricity savings are larger for countries farther away from the equator, while subtropical regions consume more electricity because of DST.

Download Executive Summary Download PDF

Download Appendix 

Energy Specializations: Electricity – Other; Energy Efficiency

JEL Codes: C51: Model Construction and Estimation, Q42: Alternative Energy Sources, Q40: Energy: General, C58: Financial Econometrics

Keywords: Daylight saving time, Energy savings, Bayesian model averaging, Meta-analysis, Publication bias

DOI: 10.5547/01956574.39.2.thav

References: Reference information is available for this article. Join IAEE, log in, or purchase the article to view reference data.

Published in Volume 39, Number 2 of the bi-monthly journal of the IAEE's Energy Economics Education Foundation.

 

© 2024 International Association for Energy Economics | Privacy Policy | Return Policy