A relaxing bedroom is a key part of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the strongest influences on comfort. Adjusting 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 varying 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 suggestions 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 approximately 65 degrees. Your specific preferences will have an impact, so anywhere within 63-67 is a good rule of thumb. But why is a cooler temperature more beneficial to sleep in?

Sleep occurs in cycles, and this pattern is known as a circadian rhythm. Our bodies take in information like the amount 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 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 balance your internal temperature. For example, sweating helps dissipate excess 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 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 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 consideration. Heavy layers could be too warm, and any parent will tell you that infants only know one way to show their dissatisfaction.

Tips for Fine-Tuning Sleep Temperatures

If you’re having trouble reaching your ideal sleep temperature, there are a few pieces of HVAC equipment that can make a noticeable difference. These products are especially useful for families, since 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 quick and easy. 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 existing equipment and personal preferences just aren’t compatible. Luckily, a ductless mini-split can generate 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 useful 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 monitor how you use your HVAC system and offer the best day-to-day schedule. So, if you enjoy a cooler bedroom at night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down at 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 Anderson Heating & A/C

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Anderson Heating & A/C know. We can offer recommendations and quality products ideal for maintaining cozy nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 775-854-9700.