What's the Best Temperature for Sleeping?

A comfortable bedroom is a key element of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the biggest influences on comfort. Fine-tuning the temperature of your room every 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 provide some suggestions 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 approximately 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 easier to sleep in?

Sleep occurs in cycles, and this pattern is known as a circadian rhythm. Our bodies take in information including the amount of light and heat around us to keep the circadian rhythm in balance 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 balance 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 influential 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 have 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 all the difference. These products are especially useful for families, since different preferences can lead to disagreements over the nighttime thermostat setting.

Zoning systems: A zoning system employs a series of dampers and levers in your ductwork to redirect airflow. If you want to adjust the temperature for a specific room or space in your home, a zoning system makes it fast and easy. Members of your family that like 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 implies, you don’t need any additional ductwork, which helps save on installation costs. These compact systems are perfect 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 monitor how you use your HVAC system and generate the best day-to-day schedule. So, if you like a cooler bedroom each night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down around 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 Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning know. We can offer recommendations and quality products ideal for maintaining cozy nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 636-456-5041.