A relaxing bedroom is a crucial part of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the biggest influences on comfort. Tweaking the temperature of your room each night by just a few degrees can benefit 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 better 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 approximately 65 degrees. Your specific preferences will 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 happens in cycles, and this pattern is known as a circadian rhythm. Our bodies take in information including 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 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 shuts down a lot of automatic processes that help regulate 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 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 ideal, but make sure you’re also taking sleepwear and blankets into account. Heavy layers could be too warm, and any parent will tell you that infants only know one way to express dissatisfaction.

Tips for Fine-Tuning Sleep Temperatures

If you’re having trouble sustaining your ideal sleep temperature, there are a few pieces of HVAC equipment that can make all the difference. These products are especially useful for families, as different preferences can lead to disagreements over the nighttime thermostat setting.

Zoning systems: A zoning system uses 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 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 generate fine-tuned comfort for single rooms or smaller areas. As the name suggests, you don’t need any additional ductwork, which helps reduce 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 easiest ways to make precise, energy-efficient adjustments to the indoor temperature. Intelligent programming can monitor how you use your HVAC system and create the best day-to-day schedule. So, if you like a cooler bedroom each night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down near bedtime. They’re compatible with zoning systems and mini-splits as well, bolstering your control over the temperature in every room of the house.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC know. We can offer suggestions and quality products ideal for maintaining comfortable nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 715-318-6728.