A cozy bedroom is an important aspect of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the biggest influences on comfort. Adjusting the temperature of your room at night by just a few degrees can increase 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 discuss what temperatures are better for sleep and why. Then, we’ll share some suggestions 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 happens in cycles, and this pattern is called the circadian rhythm. Our bodies use information including 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 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 slows 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 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 best, but make sure you’re also taking sleepwear and blankets into account. Heavy layers could be too warm, and any parent can tell you that infants only know one way to show their 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 noticeable difference. These systems are especially useful for families, since 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 alter the direction of airflow. If you want to adjust the temperature for a specific room or space in your home, a zoning system makes it quick and convenient. 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 existing equipment and personal preferences just aren’t compatible. Luckily, a ductless mini-split can provide fine-tuned comfort for single rooms or smaller areas. As the name implies, you don’t need any extra ductwork, which helps lower installation costs. These compact systems are ideal 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 improvements 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 prefer a cooler bedroom each night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down close to bedtime. They’re compatible with zoning systems and mini-splits too, expanding your control over the temperature in every room of the house.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Smyth Air Conditioning

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Smyth Air Conditioning know. We can offer recommendations and quality products perfect for maintaining cozy nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 561-533-6066.