Clocks go back Sunday, Nov 1. Do these 9 things first.
Daylight saving time ends 2026 on Sunday, November 1 at 2 a.m. Clocks in most of the U.S. move back one hour, which makes it the best reminder all year to get your home ready for the dark, cold months ahead. This checklist takes about an hour.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Light up entrances and stock your emergency lights
- Check the furnace filter, seal drafts and plan a warm spot
1Change the clocks (and the ones that do not change themselves)
Phones, laptops and most smart devices update automatically. Your oven, microwave, car dashboard, wall clocks and some coffee makers do not. Arizona (most of the state) and Hawaii do not observe daylight saving time.
2Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Fire departments commonly recommend testing alarms and swapping batteries when the clocks change. Press the test button on every alarm, replace weak batteries and check the date printed on each unit. Detectors wear out and need replacing after about ten years.
One extra hour on Sunday morning. Use some of it on this list.
3Light up the dark entrances
Sunset arrives about an hour earlier after the change, so you will come home in the dark more often. Motion-activated lights at the front door, garage and basement stairs make arrivals safer.
Motion Sensor Light 2-Pack
Light the garage, stairs and doorways automatically.
4Check your emergency light sources
Winter storms and early darkness make a reliable lantern and headlamp worth having. Test each one now and replace the batteries.
3-in-1 Collapsible Lantern
Lights a whole room and collapses flat for storage.
LED Headlamp
Hands-free light for breaker panels, dark closets and walks.
5Build or refresh your power outage kit
Power cuts are more common once winter weather arrives. Put your light sources, a phone charger that does not need an outlet, blankets, ready-to-eat food and water in one box. Our free winter power outage checklist (printable PDF) lists exactly what to include and what to do in the first 15 minutes.
Emergency Phone Charger Keychain
A pocket backup charger for when the power is out.
6Replace the furnace filter
A clogged filter makes your heating system work harder. Check it before the cold sets in and replace it if it looks gray and dusty. Most manufacturers suggest checking monthly during heavy use.
Darker evenings are coming. Get the house ready now.
7Seal drafts and check windows
Run a hand around window frames and door edges on a windy day. Weatherstripping and door sweeps are inexpensive fixes that stop warm air escaping. Our guide to how to lower your heating bill this winter has more ideas.
8Reset timers and thermostat schedules
Lamp timers, outdoor lights, holiday light timers and programmable thermostats may need adjusting for the new schedule. A light that comes on an hour late leaves your porch dark when you get home.
9Plan a warm spot for the cold rooms
If one room never gets warm, a compact space heater can make it comfortable without heating the whole house.
Daylight saving time questions, answered
When does daylight saving time end in 2026?
Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 2 a.m. local time. Clocks go back to 1 a.m.
Do I gain or lose an hour of sleep?
You gain one hour, since the clock repeats the 1 a.m. hour.
Should I change smoke alarm batteries when the clocks change?
Many fire departments recommend it. Test every alarm and replace batteries that are weak or more than a year old.
When does daylight saving time start again?
It starts again in March 2027, when clocks move forward one hour.
Get ready for winter for less
Small, useful gifts and gear, already marked down.
Stocking stuffers under $20See the space heater