The Best Temperature for Sleeping Indoors
Settling on the right temperature when sleeping can be a herculean task. You may want it warmer while your partner wants it cooler, or vice versa. What we can all agree on is that even slight changes in ambient temperature will affect how well we sleep. Who hasn’t woken in the middle of the night because they felt too hot, or slept restlessly because they were cold? While everyone has their preference, experts now have an answer when asked “what is the best temperature for sleeping?”
The Science of Sleep
Sleep researchers have identified the ideal room temperature for sleeping to be approximately 18.3 degrees Celsius (65 degrees Fahrenheit) with most adults who sleep well falling within a range between 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) and 19 degrees Celsius (66 degrees Fahrenheit). While these temperatures vary from person to person, most will enjoy their most comfortable sleep by keeping your home’s heating and cooling system within this range.
Sleeping in the wrong temperature zone may leave you hot & sweaty, or shivering; neither of which are conducive to a good night’s sleep. The easiest way to create a comfortable environment for sleeping is to regulate your home’s temperature via its HVAC system. By maintaining a cool temperature in the bedroom, we assist our body’s natural cooling process, sending a signal to our brain that it is time to sleep.
Keeping your home at the perfect temperature while sleeping can be a challenge for some. Throughout the night, your home’s temperature can rise and fall with the weather outside, or even as the walls in your home release the heated air from the day. While opening the windows for fresh air is tempting in the summer, that humidity in the air will not help you to sleep. If you are trying to sleep in a hot room, turning on your home’s air conditioning system can help encourage the body to rest. During the winter months, your home’s heating systems and temperature control can help to ensure the ambient temperature does not drop too much overnight, keeping you comfortable as you sleep.
Technology to Help You Clock in More Zzz!
If getting a good night’s sleep is a challenge in your household, you may want to consider improving your home’s heating and cooling, perhaps even upgrading to a new HVAC system for your home. Today’s models offer incredible energy efficiency, especially when paired with a smart thermostat. Thanks to this technology, you can schedule your furnace or air conditioner to run for a short period during the night, without consuming much energy. Smart thermostats also allow you to control your home’s air systems without even getting out of bed. The moment you’re feeling hot, you can turn on the air conditioner for a short time until you return to sleep.
Getting a good night’s sleep is incredibly important. Poor sleep can lead to weight gain, a higher risk of heart disease & stroke, depression, and other diseases. Quality, restful sleep, on the other hand, improve concentration and productivity, maximizes athletic performance, and improves your body’s immune system, along with a whole host of other benefits.
Want a better night’s sleep? Time to look to the temperature in your bedroom for solutions!