A comfortable 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 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 ideas 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 personal preferences should 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 use information such as the quantity of light and heat around us to keep the circadian rhythm in sync 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 sleep 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 excess heat while shivering is the muscles’ attempt to warm themselves up. When you don’t regulate the temperature of your bedroom, even minor 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 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 consideration. 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 reaching your ideal sleep temperature, there are a few pieces of HVAC equipment that can make all the difference. These systems are especially useful for families, because different preferences can lead to butting heads over the nighttime thermostat setting.

Zoning systems: A zoning system has 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 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 current equipment and personal preferences just aren’t compatible. Thankfully, 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 save on installation costs. These compact systems are perfect for rooms adjacent to 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 record how you use your HVAC system and generate the best daily schedule. So, if you enjoy a cooler bedroom each night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down at bedtime. They’re compatible with zoning systems and mini-splits too, enhancing your control over the temperature in every room of the house.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Diedrick's Heating and Air Conditioning

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Diedrick's Heating and Air Conditioning know. We can offer recommendations and quality products perfect for maintaining comfortable nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 920-833-7967.