5 Things To Do as Daylight Savings Ends

As daylight savings ends in Australia this weekend, we know that it’s about more than just setting the clock one hour earlier.

The shift from daylight saving time to either Australian eastern standard time or Australian central standard time (depending on your location) affects everything from your sleep pattern to your home’s energy consumption.

Households across Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT are saying goodbye to the extra hour of evening light and hello to brighter mornings. This seasonal change is the perfect time to tick off a few important home maintenance tasks, including an electrical safety check.

Adjusting to the new time zones can be smoother with some planning. Here are 5 ways to make the most of the shift when daylight saving time ends.

But First, Turn Your Clocks Back One Hour

Like many of us, you might get confused about what to do with your clocks when daylight saving time starts and ends. Sure, your smartphone, watch, and other devices will automatically change from daylight saving to standard time.

They’ll take the hassle out of the change. But do you turn your analogue clock forward or back?

• When daylight saving time starts: you wind your clock one hour ahead.
• When daylight saving time ends: you wind it back one hour.

It’s also worth double-checking the digital clocks on appliances like your oven, microwave and even on your car dashboard, especially if they’re a little older and wouldn’t fall under the “smart tech” category. Speaking of which, if you do have smart home automation, you may need to tweak your lighting and heating schedules to match the earlier sunrise and sunset.

Taking a few minutes to reset everything keeps your home running smoothly and helps you ease into the new rhythm.

1. Conduct an Electrical Safety Check

As daylight saving ends, it’s a good time to do some essential electrical safety checks of your home. With fewer hours of daylight, we tend to use lights, heaters and appliances more often, so make sure everything is running safely and efficiently.

Use this changeover time as a good reminder to go through a few key checks:

• Test all smoke alarms and replace batteries if needed
• Check powerpoints and switches for damage or overheating
• Inspect appliance cords for fraying or exposed wiring
• Make sure outdoor lighting is weatherproof and working
• Test safety switches (RCDs) on your switchboard
• Look for flickering lights or circuits that trip regularly

If anything looks off or just isn’t working as it should, contact a licensed electrician. Being proactive helps you save energy, stay safe, and ensures your home keeps running smoothly through the cooler months.

2. Update Your Emergency Plans and Devices

When daylight saving time ends and we dive headfirst into the cooler months of the year, it’s a good time to review your emergency plans and devices.

Shorter daylight hours and earlier sunsets mean power outages and storms can catch you off guard. Make sure you have working torches, lanterns and radios. Keep fresh batteries stocked somewhere accessible and memorable.

Update your emergency contact list, restock your first aid kit and ensure any portable power banks are fully charged. If you have a backup generator, test it and make sure it’s operating safely.

Being prepared means you’ll have peace of mind no matter what the weather or changing time zones bring after daylight savings ends.

3. Review Your Sleep Schedule

When daylight saving time ends, your body might feel a little out of whack, even though you’re getting back that extra hour of sleep you effectively lose when daylight saving time starts. That one hour can still throw you off even if you already have a tight routine.

Try adjusting your sleep schedule over a few days to help your body clock settle. Go to bed and wake up 15-30 minutes earlier, and you might find the transition smoother. This is especially helpful for kids or early risers who feel the impact of changing daylight hours.

By keeping your sleep habits consistent as we move from daylight saving to standard time, you’ll feel more energised and better prepared for shorter evenings and cooler autumn mornings.

4. Prepare for Shorter Days, Longer Nights

As daylight saving time ends and daylight hours get shorter, your home lighting plays a bigger role in comfort and safety.

With sunset arriving earlier, it’s worth checking that your indoor and outdoor lighting is up to scratch. Swap out old incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs to help save energy and reduce your electricity bill. If you use timers or smart lighting, check if you need to adjust their settings to match the new standard time.

That way, your lights come on when needed and not an hour late. And don’t forget your outdoor areas; well-lit paths, driveways, and entryways can help prevent accidents during darker evenings.

By preparing now, you’ll make the most of the extra hour of morning light and stay safe and comfortable through the autumn and winter months.

5. Adjust Your Home’s Heating Schedule

The end of daylight saving time and the arrival of cooler autumn mornings make for a smart time to adjust your home’s heating schedule.

As clocks roll back, your routine shifts into colder, darker parts of the day. Update your thermostat or heating timer to suit the new daylight hours so you don’t wake up to a cold house as winter sets in.

If you use smart home automation, syncing your heating system with your revised sleep schedule and lighting will help keep things efficient. While you’re at it, clean your heater’s filters and check for draughts around doors and windows.

These small changes will boost comfort, reduce energy consumption and help save energy as the evenings get cooler.

Make the Most of the Daylight Shift

As daylight savings end, taking a few simple steps can make the seasonal transition smoother, safer and more energy efficient.

Whether it’s adjusting your clock back one hour, updating your sleep schedule or checking your home’s electrics, this change is the perfect reminder to reset more than just your watch. As we move from daylight saving time to standard time we gain brighter mornings but lose light in the evening so keeping your home well lit, warm and safe becomes more important.

No matter which Australian state you live in being prepared helps you adapt to the changing daylight hours. A little forward planning now means you’ll be on top of things well into autumn and winter.

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