A comfortable 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 each 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 different preferences for sleep.

We’ll learn what temperatures are better for sleep and why. Then, we’ll provide some recommendations for HVAC equipment or accessories that could help improve sleep.

Your Body Is Designed to Cool Down During Sleep

According to the Sleep Foundation, the ideal bedroom temperature is around 65 degrees. Your personal preferences can 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 happens in cycles, and this pattern is called the circadian rhythm. Our bodies take in information including the quantity of light and heat around us to keep the circadian rhythm balanced with what’s necessary for healthy sleep. Since the sun’s warmth disappears 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 stops 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 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 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 know 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 systems are particularly useful for families, because different preferences can lead to butting heads 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 particular room or space in your home, a zoning system makes it fast and easy. Members of your family that prefer 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 offer 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 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 establish the best daily schedule. So, if you like a cooler bedroom at 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 Bigfoot Mechanical

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Bigfoot Mechanical know. We can offer suggestions and quality products ideal for maintaining cozy nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 509-392-8770.