A comfortable bedroom is a crucial aspect of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the strongest influences on comfort. Tweaking the temperature of your room every night by just a few degrees can improve 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 share some ideas for HVAC equipment or accessories that can help improve sleep.
Your Body Is Designed to Cool Down During Sleep
According to the Sleep Foundation, the ideal bedroom temperature is around 65 degrees. Your personal preferences should have an impact, so anywhere between 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 take in information like the amount of light and heat around us to keep the circadian rhythm in balance with what’s necessary for healthy sleep. Since the sun’s warmth disappears at night, the circadian rhythm interprets cooler temperatures as a better environment for sleep. This is why a cooler, dark bedroom is easier to fall asleep in than a room that’s hot and well-lit.
As you fall asleep, your body slows a lot of automatic processes that help maintain your internal temperature. For example, sweating helps dissipate excess heat while shivering is the muscles’ way of warming themselves up. When you don’t regulate the temperature of your bedroom, even minor changes can be noticeable enough to wake you up.
Keep Bedrooms Warmer for Infants and the Elderly
Infant children are still developing, and their smaller bodies are more in tune to changes in temperature. Slightly warmer temperatures around 67-69 degrees are best, but make sure you’re also taking sleepwear and blankets into consideration. Heavy layers could be too warm, and any parent can tell you that infants only have one way to express dissatisfaction.
Tips for Fine-Tuning Sleep Temperatures
If you’re having trouble maintaining your ideal sleep temperature, there are a few pieces of HVAC equipment that can make a noticeable difference. These products are especially useful for families, since different preferences can lead to butting heads over the nighttime thermostat setting.
Zoning systems: A zoning system uses 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 quick and easy. Members of your family that prefer extra heat or air conditioning at night can use a zoning system to provide their ideal sleep temperature.
Ductless mini-splits: Sometimes existing 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 new ductwork, which helps reduce installation costs. These compact systems are useful 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 adjustments to the indoor temperature. Intelligent programming can monitor how you use your HVAC system and offer the best daily schedule. So, if you prefer a cooler bedroom every night, a smart thermostat will automatically cool things down around bedtime. They’re compatible with zoning systems and mini-splits as well, expanding your control over the temperature in every room of the house.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Wallpe Heating & Cooling
If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Wallpe Heating & Cooling know. We can offer suggestions and quality products ideal for maintaining comfortable nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 812-663-7252.