A relaxing bedroom is a key part of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the strongest influences on comfort. Fine-tuning the temperature of your room at night by just a few degrees can increase 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 can help improve sleep.

Your Body Is Designed to Cool Down During Sleep

According to the Sleep Foundation, the ideal bedroom temperature is approximately 65 degrees. Your specific preferences should have an impact, so anywhere between 63-67 is a good rule of thumb. But why is a cooler temperature better to sleep in?

Sleep occurs in cycles, and this pattern is known as a circadian rhythm. Our bodies use information like the quantity of light and heat around us to keep the circadian rhythm in sync with what’s needed 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, dark 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 excessive heat while shivering is the muscles’ way of warming themselves up. When you don’t regulate the temperature of your bedroom, even minor 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 ideal, but make sure you’re also taking sleepwear and blankets into consideration. Heavy layers could be too warm, and any parent will tell you that infants only have 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 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 redirect airflow. If you want to adjust the temperature for a particular 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 deliver 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 great for rooms near unfinished spaces like the garage or attic.

Smart thermostats: These programmable thermostats are one of the simplest ways to make precise, energy-efficient adjustments to the indoor temperature. Intelligent programming can monitor how you use your HVAC system and offer the best daily schedule. So, if you like a cooler bedroom every night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down around bedtime. They’re compatible with zoning systems and mini-splits as well, enhancing your control over the temperature in every room of the house.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Integrity AC & Heating LLC

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Integrity AC & Heating LLC know. We can offer recommendations and quality products perfect for maintaining cozy nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 602-971-0567.