A good night’s sleep can be hard to come by, especially when your bedroom feels too hot or too cold. Believe it or not, the air’s temperature in your sleeping space can impact sleep quality! Find out the best air conditioner temperature for sleeping and rest easy all summer long.
Air Temperature and Sleep
Your body’s core temperature is usually around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can fall as much as two degrees as you sleep. The body typically experiences a slight drop in core temperature during the evening hours, which usually starts about two hours before you typically go to sleep.
To cool down in preparation for sleeping, the body moves heat away from your core through vasodilation. Your body’s circadian clock produces signals that tell the body to increase blood flow to your arms, legs, and extremities. This decline in core temperature tells the body to release melatonin, which is a natural hormone that promotes sleep.
Body temperature falls as you sleep, typically reaching its low point somewhere in the early morning hours. Then, your body temperature gradually increases back to normal over the course of the morning.
Use Your HVAC System for Better Sleep
As you turn out the lights and relax at night, lowering your thermostat can help your body recognize it is time to go to bed. By decreasing the temperature of the air surrounding you, you’ll help lower your core body temperature in preparation for sleep. This can also help you fall asleep faster, so you don’t spend as long tossing and turning.
Sleep quality is typically better in cooler environments versus warmer rooms. If the room you sleep in is quite warm, the air temperature can impact your body’s normal temperature regulation during sleep. Higher temperatures can prevent the body from reducing core temperatures, which causes you to sleep poorly.
High humidity in a room can also contribute to poor sleep quality. With your air conditioner running to lower temperatures, you’ll also benefit from some dehumidification as the cooling process naturally causes some moisture to fall out of the air.
The Best AC Temperature for Sleeping
According to the National Sleep Foundation, the ideal sleeping temperature is about 65 degrees. The ideal room temperature for sleeping may vary a few degrees from person to person. Doctors typically recommend setting the home’s thermostat between 60 and 67 degrees for the overnight sleeping hours to achieve the most comfortable sleeping conditions.
For some, the best air conditioner temperature for sleeping isn’t always the most comfortable. If 65 degrees sounds too cold for you and you’re worried about spending the night shivering, there is a solution. While you should still set your thermostat at the best air conditioner temperature for sleeping, layer extra covers on your bed. They’ll keep you feeling warm as you fall asleep comfortably, and you can easily remove layers during the night if you become too hot.
Contact Edwards for Air Conditioner Services in Indiana
Edwards Royal Comfort provides professional air conditioner installation, repairs, and maintenance to keep your cooling system in top shape. When your system runs efficiently, you’ll have no trouble achieving the best air conditioner temperature for sleeping and a restful night of shuteye. To schedule air conditioning services, contact us today.