Using the HVAC System for Better Sleep

May 15th, 2018

Nearly all of us will struggle with sleep at some point in our lives, and for some people, this is a more consistent concern. People often try any number of strategies for improving their sleep quality, but they often don’t realize that a good solution is right and front of them in their heating and air system.

At Expert Services- Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, we’re here to pass this bit of expertise on to you. The body’s temperature while sleeping or attempting to sleep is a huge factor in the quality of said sleep – let’s look at some creative ways you can use your home thermostat and air conditioner to get a better night’s sleep.

Temperature Ranges

Per the National Sleep Foundation, the average human being sleeps best when the room they’re in has a temperature between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. This is simple to maintain during the winter season but can be tougher during the hot summer.

In some cases, particularly if you have significant sleeping issues, it might be best to look into a zone-controlled air conditioner system. This allows you to preset different temperatures for different rooms, so you can cool the bedroom without the cost of cooling the entire house necessarily.

Humidity Ranges

It’s not only temperature that plays a role in sleep quality – it’s humidity, too. You want a humidity rating between 40 and 50 percent; too much higher will make it harder to breathe and may attract insects, while too much lower will scratch the throat and nasal passages and potentially contribute to a bad night’s sleep in that way. If you’re unsure about your humidity, buy a cheap digital hygrometer from any home improvement store.

Using Fans

As a way to help your heating and air system here, consider the use of fans. Fans during the warm season can help with cooling, and may also provide a great white noise quality. During the cold season, simply flip the fan’s direction – a fan running in the opposite direction creates an updraft and helps circulate warm air that may have risen.

For more on how to use the HVAC system to get a better night’s sleep, or to learn about any of our heating and air or plumbing services, speak to the pros at Expert Services- Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.