A comfortable bedroom is a crucial aspect of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the biggest influences on comfort. Adjusting the temperature of your room every 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 discuss what temperatures are better for sleep and why. Then, we’ll provide some recommendations 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 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 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 in balance with what’s needed for healthy sleep. Since the sun’s warmth dissipates 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 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 influential 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 may be too warm, and any parent can tell you that infants only have one way to show their 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 a noticeable difference. These products are particularly useful for families, because 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 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 convenient. 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 current equipment and personal preferences just aren’t compatible. Luckily, a ductless mini-split can provide fine-tuned comfort for single rooms or smaller areas. As the name suggests, you don’t need any new 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 most convenient ways to make precise, energy-efficient improvements to the indoor temperature. Intelligent programming can learn how you use your HVAC system and establish the best daily schedule. So, if you want a cooler bedroom at night, a smart thermostat will automatically cool things down around 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 Halverson Brothers Inc

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Halverson Brothers Inc know. We can offer recommendations and quality products perfect for maintaining cozy nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 715-352-4052.