Daylight Saving Checklist NSW: 4 Things to Check

Daylight saving starts in NSW this Sunday 4 October, with clocks moving forward one hour at 2am. Your phone and laptop will update automatically, but many of the systems around your property won't.

Time clocks on lighting, pool pumps and access systems keep running on the old time until someone adjusts them. That means everything will switch an hour later than scheduled, which can lead to wasted energy, early mornings in the dark and systems that no longer match how your property runs.

1. Outdoor and common area lighting time clocks

Many homes, strata buildings and commercial properties use time clocks to control outdoor and common area lighting. If they aren't adjusted, lights will switch on and off an hour later than intended.

That means lights staying on longer than needed at night, and coming on late in the early morning, leaving driveways, paths, stairwells and entrances dark for early starters. For strata buildings and commercial sites, it's worth checking every time clock on the property, including those in switchboards rooms.

2. Pool pump and filtration timers

Pool pumps are usually set to run at specific times of day. Once daylight saving starts, an unadjusted timer will run an hour later than planned, which can throw out your filtration schedule and push your energy use into times you didn't intend.

Spring is also a good time to review how long your pump runs. As the weather warms up and the pool gets more use, your filtration needs can change.

3. Smoke alarms

Daylight saving is the perfect reminder to test every smoke alarm on your property. Press the test button on each alarm and replace the batteries where needed.

Working smoke alarms are a legal requirement in every NSW home. It's also worth checking the manufacture date on each alarm, as smoke alarms should generally be replaced every 10 years. Hardwired smoke alarms must be installed and replaced by a licensed electrician.

4. Access control

Car park lights, gates, boom gates and access control systems often run on set schedules. If they're an hour out, gates and doors will lock and unlock an hour later than expected, and lighting won't line up with when residents, tenants and staff are coming and going.

For strata and commercial properties, this can affect security as well as convenience, so it's worth checking every scheduled system on site.

Need help?

Glenco's licensed electricians can reset time clocks, adjust timers and test smoke alarms across your home, strata building or commercial property, all in one visit. Our security team can also check and update access control and gate schedules.

Book a job on our website or call us on 02 9700 9996 and one of our service team will be in touch.

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Glenco's Building & Maintenance team works across strata, real estate and private properties.
And because Glenco also covers electrical, security, alarms and CCTV, you've got one team and one call for whatever your property needs.