A relaxing bedroom is a crucial element 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 improve the length and quality of your sleep. But just like how people have varying comfort preferences, they also have varying preferences for sleep.

We’ll review what temperatures are ideal for sleep and why. Then, we’ll share 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 about 65 degrees. Your personal preferences should have an impact, so anywhere within 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 including the quantity 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 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 slows a lot of automatic processes that help regulate 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 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 best, 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 have 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 a noticeable difference. These systems are particularly useful for families, since different preferences can lead to disagreements over the nighttime thermostat setting.

Zoning systems: A zoning system has a series of dampers and levers in your ductwork to redirect 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 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. 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 reduce installation costs. These compact systems are perfect 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 learn how you use your HVAC system and establish the best daily schedule. So, if you prefer a cooler bedroom each night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down around bedtime. They’re compatible with zoning systems and mini-splits too, bolstering your control over the temperature in every room of the house.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Bain Heating & Air Conditioning

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Bain Heating & Air Conditioning know. We can offer recommendations and quality products perfect for maintaining comfortable nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 256-270-1196.