A comfortable bedroom is a key aspect of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the largest influences on comfort. Fine-tuning the temperature of your room at night by just a few degrees can improve the length and quality of your sleep. But just like how people have different comfort preferences, they also have varying preferences for sleep.
We’ll review what temperatures are ideal for sleep and why. Then, we’ll provide some ideas 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 around 65 degrees. Your personal preferences will have an impact, so anywhere around 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 called the circadian rhythm. Our bodies use information like the quantity 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 interprets 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 regulate 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 reactive 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 can 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 a big difference. These systems are particularly useful for families, since different preferences can lead to disagreements 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 want 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 implies, you don’t need any additional ductwork, which helps save on 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 improvements to the indoor temperature. Intelligent programming can learn how you use your HVAC system and offer the best day-to-day schedule. So, if you want a cooler bedroom at night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down close to 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 Kapaun & Brown
If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Kapaun & Brown know. We can offer recommendations and quality products ideal for maintaining comfortable nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 641-812-2028.