A comfortable bedroom is a key element of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the biggest influences on comfort. Adjusting 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 different preferences for sleep.
We’ll review what temperatures are beneficial for sleep and why. Then, we’ll provide some suggestions for HVAC equipment or accessories that could 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 personal preferences should have an impact, so anywhere around 63-67 is a good rule of thumb. But why is a cooler temperature more beneficial to sleep in?
Sleep happens in cycles, and this pattern is known as a circadian rhythm. Our bodies take in information such as 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 disappears at night, the circadian rhythm can interpret cooler temperatures as a better environment for sleep. This is why a cooler, dark bedroom is easier to sleep in than a room that’s hot and well-lit.
As you fall asleep, your body shuts down a lot of automatic processes that help balance 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 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 in tune to changes in temperature. Slightly warmer temperatures around 67-69 degrees are ideal, but make sure you’re also taking sleepwear and blankets into consideration. Heavy layers can be too warm, and any parent can tell you that infants only know 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 big difference. These products are particularly 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 redirect airflow. If you want to adjust the temperature for a specific room or space in your home, a zoning system makes it quick and convenient. 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 current equipment and personal preferences just aren’t compatible. Luckily, a ductless mini-split can provide fine-tuned comfort for single rooms or smaller areas. As the name suggests, you don’t need any new ductwork, which helps save on 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 most convenient ways to make precise, energy-efficient improvements to the indoor temperature. Intelligent programming can monitor how you use your HVAC system and suggest the best day-to-day schedule. So, if you like a cooler bedroom at night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down near 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 J.L. Brady Company LLC
If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let J.L. Brady Company LLC know. We can offer suggestions and quality products ideal for maintaining comfortable nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 309-517-7511.
