A cozy bedroom is a crucial part of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the strongest influences on comfort. Fine-tuning the temperature of your room each night by just a few degrees can increase the length and quality of your sleep. But just like how people have varying comfort preferences, they also have varying preferences for sleep.
We’ll review what temperatures are beneficial for sleep and why. Then, we’ll offer some ideas for HVAC equipment or accessories that might help improve sleep.
Your Body Is Designed to Cool Off During Sleep
According to the Sleep Foundation, the ideal bedroom temperature is about 65 degrees. Your specific preferences will have an impact, so anywhere within 63-67 is a good rule of thumb. But why is a cooler temperature easier to sleep in?
Sleep occurs in cycles, and this pattern is known as a circadian rhythm. Our bodies use information including the amount of light and heat around us to keep the circadian rhythm in sync with what’s necessary for healthy sleep. Since the sun’s warmth dissipates at night, the circadian rhythm can interpret cooler temperatures as a better environment for sleep. This is why a cooler, darker bedroom is easier to sleep in than a room that’s hot and well-lit.
As you fall asleep, your body slows a lot of automatic processes that help balance your internal temperature. For example, sweating helps dissipate excessive heat while shivering is the muscles’ way of warming themselves up. When you don’t regulate the temperature of your bedroom, even small changes can be strong enough to wake you up.
Keep Bedrooms Warmer for Infants and the Elderly
Infant children are still developing, and their smaller bodies are more sensitive to changes in temperature. Slightly warmer temperatures around 67-69 degrees are ideal, but make sure you’re also taking sleepwear and blankets into account. Heavy layers may be too warm, and any parent can tell you that infants only know one way to show their dissatisfaction.
Tips for Fine-Tuning Sleep Temperatures
If you’re having trouble finding your ideal sleep temperature, there are a few pieces of HVAC equipment that can make a noticeable difference. These products are particularly useful for families, as different preferences can lead to butting heads over the nighttime thermostat setting.
Zoning systems: A zoning system employs a series of dampers and levers in your ductwork to adjust airflow. If you want to adjust the temperature for a specific room or space in your home, a zoning system makes it fast and easy. Members of your family that enjoy extra heat or air conditioning at night can use a zoning system to provide their ideal sleep temperature.
Ductless mini-splits: Sometimes current equipment and personal preferences just aren’t compatible. Luckily, a ductless mini-split can offer fine-tuned comfort for single rooms or smaller areas. As the name suggests, you don’t need any extra ductwork, which helps reduce installation costs. These compact systems are great for rooms adjacent to unfinished spaces like the garage or attic.
Smart thermostats: These programmable thermostats are one of the most convenient ways to make precise, energy-efficient improvements to the indoor temperature. Intelligent programming can monitor how you use your HVAC system and offer the best day-to-day schedule. So, if you like a cooler bedroom every night, a smart thermostat will automatically cool things down near bedtime. They’re compatible with zoning systems and mini-splits too, enhancing your control over the temperature in every room of the house.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Total Assurance AC & Heating
If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Total Assurance AC & Heating know. We can offer suggestions and quality products ideal for maintaining cozy nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 361-217-7080.