A relaxing bedroom is an important aspect of a good night’s sleep, and temperature is one of the biggest influences on comfort. Tweaking 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 discuss what temperatures are ideal for sleep and why. Then, we’ll share some suggestions for HVAC equipment or accessories that can 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 specific preferences can 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 occurs in cycles, and this pattern is known as a circadian rhythm. Our bodies take in information like the amount of light and heat around us to keep the circadian rhythm in balance with what’s needed for healthy sleep. Since the sun’s warmth dissipates at night, the circadian rhythm interprets 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 maintain 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 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 best, 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 show their 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 noticeable difference. These systems are particularly useful for families, as different preferences can lead to disagreements 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 specific room or space in your home, a zoning system makes it quick and convenient. 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 existing equipment and personal preferences just aren’t compatible. Luckily, a ductless mini-split can provide fine-tuned comfort for single rooms or smaller areas. As the name suggests, you don’t need any additional ductwork, which helps reduce 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 most convenient ways to make precise, energy-efficient improvements to the indoor temperature. Intelligent programming can learn how you use your HVAC system and generate the best day-to-day schedule. So, if you prefer a cooler bedroom each night, a smart thermostat can automatically cool things down around bedtime. They’re compatible with zoning systems and mini-splits as well, bolstering your control over the temperature in every room of the house.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep with Contra Costa Heating & AC

If your HVAC system is the reason you can’t fall asleep, let Contra Costa Heating & AC know. We can offer suggestions and quality products ideal for maintaining cozy nighttime temperatures. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 510-343-9841.