A recent survey commissioned by BC Hydro found that the majority of British Columbians do not know why Daylight Saving Time exists.

Sixty per cent believe it’s to give us more daylight during waking hours, but spokesperson Geoff Hastings says daylight saving time is actually meant to save energy.

“It gives us more daylight when we’re awake so in a way that’s 60 per cent of British Columbians isn’t completely wrong,” he said.

“We use less light and we’re outside working, we’re outside conducting our business, going about our lives in natural daylight.”

Several recent studies have found that electricity savings with the change in time are negligible or non-existent. A recent Alberta study found that it actually has the opposite effect, increasing energy use.

“Fifty-six per cent of people we surveyed would prefer it if we didn’t change the time at all,” added Hastings. “The negative effects are well documented.”

“Anytime you change people’s sleeping pattern, it’s going to affect energy levels, it’s going to affect concentration. There are a lot of things that are well documented, but not within the realm of what BC Hydro studies.”

Hastings notes that a BC Hydro report looking at whether daylight saving time actually saves energy in the province is expected this fall.

Daylight Saving Time will last until Sunday, November 3 when the clocks go back an hour.