A relaxing bedroom is a key 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 benefit the length and quality of your sleep. But just like how people have different comfort preferences, they also have different preferences for sleep.
We’ll discuss what temperatures are better for sleep and why. Then, we’ll provide some recommendations for HVAC equipment or accessories that could help improve sleep.
Your Body Is Designed to Cool Down During Sleep
According to the Sleep Foundation, the ideal bedroom temperature is approximately 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 happens in cycles, and this pattern is called the circadian rhythm. Our bodies take in information including the quantity 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 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 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 regulate 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 small changes can be influential enough to wake you up.
Keep Bedrooms Warmer for Infants and the Elderly
Infant children are still developing, and their smaller bodies are more reactive 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 will tell you that infants only have one way to show their dissatisfaction.
Tips for Fine-Tuning Sleep Temperatures
If you’re having trouble reaching your ideal sleep temperature, there are a few pieces of HVAC equipment that can make all the difference. These products are especially useful for families, because 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 redirect airflow. If you want to adjust the temperature for a particular room or space in your home, a zoning system makes it fast and easy. Members of your family that like 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 generate fine-tuned comfort for single rooms or smaller areas. As the name suggests, you don’t need any additional ductwork, which helps lower installation costs. These compact systems are great for rooms near 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 learn how you use your HVAC system and offer the best daily schedule. So, if you prefer a cooler bedroom at night, a smart thermostat will automatically cool things down close to bedtime. They’re compatible with zoning systems and mini-splits as well, bolstering your control over the temperature in every room of the house.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep with B&D Air Conditioning
If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let B&D Air Conditioning know. We can offer suggestions and quality products perfect for maintaining cozy nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 928-432-6018.