TIME FILES
Four checks to make NOW as clocks go back this weekend including heating and hot water – or risk extra costs
Find out why clocks change twice a year
HOUSEHOLDS across the UK will get an extra hour in bed this weekend when the clocks change.
They will go back one hour at 2am on October 27, the last Sunday of the month, signalling the end of daylight saving time.
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The change means mornings will be brighter but sunset will come an hour earlier as darker nights draw in.
Most people own some kind of smart tech like a phone or laptop which should update automatically early on Sunday morning.
But there are some devices you may need to adjust manually like any analogue clocks or cookers.
To help you get ahead of the clocks changing, here are four things you should do now to ensure you're not caught out.
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Change your clocks
Any analogue clocks will need to be pushed forward an hour.
If you don't, any alarms you've set will go off an hour later which could make you late for work or any social plans.
Some alarm clocks are radio-controlled and automatically adjust their time and date, so check whether yours is or not before Sunday.
James Longley, managing director at Utility Bidder, said: "There are some cases where you will need to change the clocks manually.
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“In the kitchen, you’ll have to take a look at your microwave and oven to update the time.
"Each appliance is different, but ordinarily, if your microwave has a clock button you will need to press it down for a few seconds and set a new time once you hear a beep.
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"Similarly with ovens, a clock feature with up and down buttons should be standard on newer versions."
Central heating and hot water
With the nights getting colder, you'll want to make sure all your central heating systems are operating on the right time.
Smart tech will update automatically, but make sure you adjust anything analogue.
Fail to do this, and any timings you have in place to turn your central heating on and off could be wrong meaning you use heating or hot water when you don't need it.
James, from Utility Bidder, explained: "Smart meters and thermostats should automatically adjust from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time.
"But this may not be the case for older central heating systems, so be sure to check this so you aren’t wasting unnecessary energy from heating."
When it comes to setting your heating at the right temperature, James said having it set at a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius should be enough to keep you warm.
"The World Health Organization recommends heating the home at around 18 degrees to maintain good health and a positive sleep routine.
"However, for the young, old or those who are unwell, 20 degrees Celsius is considered to be more appropriate."
Why do the clocks change?
Clocks change twice a year, in Spring and Autumn, but why?
The concept of changing the clocks first arrived in Britain in 1907, when William Willett, the great-great-grandfather of Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin, self-published a pamphlet called "The Waste of Daylight".
A year after Willett's death, in 1916, Germany became the first country to adopt daylight saving time.
The UK did the same a few weeks later, along with other nations involved in the First World War.
British Double Summer Time was temporarily introduced during the Second World War, with clocks kept one hour in advance of Greenwich Mean Time to increase productivity.
Since the war, Britain has operated under British Summer Time except for between 1968 and 1971 when the clocks went forward but were not put back.
Getting the timing right for central heating systems means you'll avoid paying to heat your home at the wrong time, which coudl add to bills.
Adjust smart lights and plugs
Anyone with automatic smart lights may need to manually adjust the time they're set to come on.
If yours are connected to your phone then don't worry as they should change automatically.
That said, you may still want to adjust the time they actually come on with the mornings turning lighter earlier.
The same rule applies to smart plugs that may be set up to turn lamps or other lights on at certain times of the day.
Having the lights come on when there's still sunlight would be a waste of energy and money.
Review your finances
The clocks changing can be a great time to go over your finances ahead of the busy and expensive Christmas period.
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Look over your bank statements or any credit card bills and work out where you could be saving money.
Use the time to make a budget for the festive period too, otherwise expenses can quickly grow out of control.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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