A relaxing bedroom is an important part of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the largest influences on comfort. Fine-tuning the temperature of your room at 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 review what temperatures are ideal for sleep and why. Then, we’ll share 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 should have an impact, so anywhere around 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 called the circadian rhythm. Our bodies use information including the quantity 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 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 balance your internal temperature. For example, sweating helps dissipate excess heat while shivering is the muscles’ way of warming themselves up. When you don’t regulate the temperature of your bedroom, even little 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 account. Heavy layers may be too warm, and any parent will tell you that infants only know one way to show their dissatisfaction.

Tips for Fine-Tuning Sleep Temperatures

If you’re having trouble finding your ideal sleep temperature, there are a few pieces of HVAC equipment that can make a noticeable difference. These systems are particularly useful for families, as 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 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 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 current equipment and personal preferences just aren’t compatible. Thankfully, a ductless mini-split can offer fine-tuned comfort for single rooms or smaller areas. As the name suggests, you don’t need any new ductwork, which helps reduce installation costs. These compact systems are ideal for rooms near 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 learn how you use your HVAC system and create the best day-to-day schedule. So, if you enjoy a cooler bedroom at night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down near bedtime. They’re compatible with zoning systems and mini-splits too, bolstering your control over the temperature in every room of the house.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Central Heating & Plumbing

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Central Heating & Plumbing know. We can offer recommendations and quality products perfect for maintaining cozy nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 724-401-1843.