A relaxing bedroom is a key aspect of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the largest influences on comfort. Fine-tuning the temperature of your room every night by just a few degrees can benefit 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 learn what temperatures are ideal for sleep and why. Then, we’ll offer some recommendations 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 around 65 degrees. Your specific preferences will 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 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 sync with what’s necessary 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 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 regulate your internal temperature. For example, sweating helps dissipate excessive heat while shivering is the muscles’ way of warming 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 sensitive 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 may be too warm, and any parent will tell you that infants only have one way to show their 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 a noticeable 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 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 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 generate fine-tuned comfort for single rooms or smaller areas. As the name implies, you don’t need any extra ductwork, which helps reduce 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 improvements to the indoor temperature. Intelligent programming can monitor how you use your HVAC system and suggest the best daily schedule. So, if you prefer a cooler bedroom at night, a smart thermostat will 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 Northern Comfort Inc

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Northern Comfort Inc know. We can offer suggestions and quality products ideal for maintaining comfortable nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 507-387-6596.