A comfortable bedroom is a key part of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the biggest influences on comfort. Tweaking the temperature of your room each night by just a few degrees can benefit 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 learn what temperatures are better 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 Off 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 known as a circadian rhythm. Our bodies use information including the amount of light and heat around us to keep the circadian rhythm balanced with what’s necessary for healthy sleep. Since the sun’s warmth disappears 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 stops a lot of automatic processes that help maintain your internal temperature. For example, sweating helps dissipate excess heat while shivering is the muscles’ attempt to warm themselves up. When you don’t regulate the temperature of your bedroom, even little 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 sensitive 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 know one way to show their dissatisfaction.
Tips for Fine-Tuning Sleep Temperatures
If you’re having trouble sustaining your ideal sleep temperature, there are a few pieces of HVAC equipment that can make all the difference. These products are particularly useful for families, as different preferences can lead to disagreements 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 particular room or space in your home, a zoning system makes it fast and convenient. 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. Fortunately, a ductless mini-split can provide fine-tuned comfort for single rooms or smaller areas. As the name suggests, you don’t need any additional ductwork, which helps reduce installation costs. These compact systems are ideal for rooms near unfinished spaces like the garage or attic.
Smart thermostats: These programmable thermostats are one of the easiest ways to make precise, energy-efficient adjustments to the indoor temperature. Intelligent programming can record how you use your HVAC system and create the best day-to-day schedule. So, if you like a cooler bedroom at night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down at 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 West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc.
If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. know. We can offer suggestions and quality products perfect for maintaining comfortable nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 614-879-9091.