A cozy bedroom is a key part 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 different 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 suggestions for HVAC equipment or accessories that might help improve sleep.

Your Body Is Designed to Cool Down During Sleep

According to the Sleep Foundation, the ideal bedroom temperature is about 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 easier to sleep in?

Sleep occurs in cycles, and this pattern is called the circadian rhythm. Our bodies take in information including the amount of light and heat around us to keep the circadian rhythm in sync with what’s required 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 slows 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 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 consideration. Heavy layers can be too warm, and any parent will tell you that infants only know one way to express 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 big difference. These products are particularly useful for families, because 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 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 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 suggests, you don’t need any extra ductwork, which helps lower 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 improvements to the indoor temperature. Intelligent programming can record how you use your HVAC system and suggest the best daily schedule. So, if you want a cooler bedroom every night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down at bedtime. They’re compatible with zoning systems and mini-splits as well, enhancing your control over the temperature in every room of the house.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Classic Air

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Classic Air know. We can offer suggestions and quality products ideal for maintaining comfortable nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 614-210-3041.