A comfortable bedroom is an important element of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the strongest influences on comfort. Tweaking the temperature of your room each night by just a few degrees can increase 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 ideal for sleep and why. Then, we’ll share 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 around 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 easier to sleep in?

Sleep occurs in cycles, and this pattern is called the circadian rhythm. Our bodies use information like the amount 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 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 maintain 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 minor changes can be noticeable 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 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 products are especially useful for families, because 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 adjust airflow. If you want to adjust the temperature for a specific room or space in your home, a zoning system makes it fast 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 existing 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 save on installation costs. These compact systems are ideal 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 record how you use your HVAC system and offer the best day-to-day schedule. So, if you like a cooler bedroom at night, a smart thermostat will 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 Bell Air Conditioning Inc

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Bell Air Conditioning Inc know. We can offer recommendations and quality products ideal for maintaining comfortable nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 254-307-9572.