A cozy bedroom is an important aspect of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the largest influences on comfort. Tweaking the temperature of your room each 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 different preferences for sleep.

We’ll learn what temperatures are ideal for sleep and why. Then, we’ll offer some ideas for HVAC equipment or accessories that might 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 should 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 called the circadian rhythm. Our bodies take in information such as the quantity of light and heat around us to keep the circadian rhythm balanced with what’s needed 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, dark 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 maintain your internal temperature. For example, sweating helps dissipate excessive 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 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 could 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 finding 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, as 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 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 enjoy 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 suggests, you don’t need any extra ductwork, which helps lower 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 improvements to the indoor temperature. Intelligent programming can record how you use your HVAC system and offer the best day-to-day schedule. So, if you enjoy a cooler bedroom every night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down near bedtime. They’re compatible with zoning systems and mini-splits too, bolstering your control over the temperature in every room of the house.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc.

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc. know. We can offer suggestions and quality products perfect for maintaining comfortable nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 862-345-6896.