What’s the Best Temperature to Set My Thermostat for Sleeping?
Everyone’s sleeping preferences vary. Whether you get hot or cold, or you sleep with a fan or bundled up as tight as possible under the covers, you may wonder what temperature your thermostat should be set at when it’s time for you to call it a night. You should change the temperature your thermostat is set at before you go to bed in order to save energy and help you improve your sleep schedule and quality of sleep!
How Does Air Temperature Impact Your Sleep?
The temperature your bedroom is set at plays a significant role in the quality of your sleep. In a poll taken by the National Sleep Foundation, they found that 4 out of 5 respondents say a cool room temperature was an important factor in getting a good night’s sleep.
This all is based upon how our sleep schedules are controlled by a “master body clock” that is based upon the light-and-dark cycle of the sun, otherwise known as circadian rhythm. Our body temperature hovers around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. That temperature drops about two degrees throughout the night, reaching a low point in the early morning and then warming up as the morning progresses. This means that our bodies prefer to be cooler while sleeping, but every person has different sleeping preferences. Doctors recommend keeping your thermostat set to a temperature between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit at night to help you achieve more comfortable sleep.
What Happens If I Sleep in a Warm Environment?
“A warm body leads to wakefulness, whereas a cool body inspires sleepiness.” This is why hot Texas summers can take a toll on sleep quality –-warm air leads to restless and uncomfortable sleep. There is a direct correlation between sleep insomnia and being too warm at bedtime, because the body is not able to naturally cool down. Sleeping in a room that is too warm can also lead to fatigue, where you are mentally and physically tired, but you cannot fall asleep. It is better for your body and sleep quality to sleep in a room that is too cold rather than a room that is too hot.
How Can Programmable Thermostats Help?
A great way to help you get a good night’s sleep in a bedroom that is cool enough for you is to get a programmable or smart thermostat installed in your home. These types of thermostats are not only an easy way to regulate your sleep schedule, but they also save energy and reduce energy bills.
If you adjust your thermostat when you are away from home and when you sleep, you can easily save money on heating and cooling. With a programmable thermostat, you can use a pre-set schedule to set and adjust times you turn your heating and air conditioning on and off. You can even store and repeat six or more daily temperature settings. This could be very helpful for the hot Texas summers when you are trying to conserve as much cool air and energy as possible. A programmable thermostat can also be set to begin cooling down well before it’s time for you to go to bed and return back to normal before you wake up.
Contact Evergreen Heating & Cooling for Air Conditioning Services
Evergreen Heating & Cooling can help you get on track to a comfortable night’s sleep and a regulated sleep schedule by installing a programmable or smart thermostat in your home. Not only will we install one, but we provide air conditioning repairs and maintenance to keep your home cool throughout the hot Texas summers. To schedule an appointment with Evergreen, contact us today!