A cozy bedroom is an important element of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the largest influences on comfort. Tweaking the temperature of your room at night by just a few degrees can benefit the length and quality of your sleep. But just like how people have different comfort preferences, they also have different 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 might 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 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 in balance 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 shuts down a lot of automatic processes that help maintain your internal temperature. For example, sweating helps dissipate excessive 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 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 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 can tell you that infants only have one way to express 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 big difference. These products are especially useful for families, because 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 fast 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 extra 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 most convenient ways to make precise, energy-efficient improvements to the indoor temperature. Intelligent programming can learn how you use your HVAC system and generate the best day-to-day schedule. So, if you like a cooler bedroom each night, a smart thermostat will automatically cool things down close to 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 Woody's Sudden Service

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Woody's Sudden Service know. We can offer suggestions and quality products ideal for maintaining cozy nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 703-278-2036.