A cozy bedroom is an important aspect of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the largest influences on comfort. Adjusting 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 varying preferences for sleep.
We’ll learn what temperatures are beneficial for sleep and why. Then, we’ll offer some recommendations 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 about 65 degrees. Your specific preferences can have an impact, so anywhere within 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 such as the quantity of light and heat around us to keep the circadian rhythm balanced with what’s required 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 slows 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 little 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 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 account. Heavy layers can 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 finding 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 since different preferences can lead to butting heads over the nighttime thermostat setting.
Zoning systems: a zoning system employs 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 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. Thankfully, a ductless mini split can provide fine-tuned comfort for single rooms or smaller areas. As the name implies, 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 easiest ways to make precise, energy-efficient adjustments to the indoor temperature. Intelligent programming can monitor how you use your HVAC system and establish the best day-to-day schedule. So, if you prefer a cooler bedroom at night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down at bedtime. They’re compatible with zoning systems and mini splits too, expanding your control over the temperature in every room of the house.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Air Houston Mechanical LLC
If your HVAC system is the reason, you can’t fall asleep, let Air Houston Mechanical LLC know. We can offer suggestions and quality products perfect for maintaining cozy nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at (832) 501-3419.
The post What’s the Best Temperature for Sleeping? appeared first on Air Houston Mechanical LLC.