In this article we discuss how room temperature in the bedroom is an important consideration and how your air conditioner can play a key role in helping you sleep well.
Why is a good night’s sleep important?
Most people welcome their comfortable bed after a long day. But apart from the delicious feeling of waking up fully rejuvenated after a restful night, did you know that sleep is vital for survival and health?
We should never underestimate the importance of sleeping well, it is essential to your overall wellbeing, it protects you physically and mentally, as well as boosting your quality of life and improving your performance.
Sleep deprivation is linked to a large range of health conditions including diabetes, depression, obesity, heart attacks and cancer. Lack of sleep suppresses your immune system which leaves you vulnerable to infections and metabolic and hormone changes.
Research suggests that “four in ten people aren’t getting enough sleep, while one in five sleep poorly most nights, representing the second most common health complaint after pain.”
How can we sleep better?
Although sleep is a natural process that our body does involuntarily, our busy lifestyles, and bad habits, often prevent us from getting the good nights sleep that we need. Poor sleep hygiene leads to poor quality sleep, so it is important to create the perfect environment to promote a restful night.
There is a wealth of information available about this subject, in fact hours spent reading the research on this could actually send you to sleep!!! Try cutting out stimulants such as coffee after midday, reducing alcohol consumption and turning off your mobile phone half an hour before you climb under the sheets….. these are simple steps you can take to help you drop off quickly. Excess heat, light and noise can also prevent us from falling asleep and could also be the reason we wake during the night too.
Can an Air Conditioner Help Sleep?
An air conditioner will regulate your bedroom temperature and is a godsend on a sultry summer’s night, but did you know there are other benefits that an air conditioner can provide to help you get off to, and stay, asleep.
Air Conditioners Reduce Humidity
A humid, damp environment can be very detrimental to our health. In fact, enclosed areas where humidity is high, can cause wakefulness and prevent us from sleeping deeply but more concerning is that high humidity is strongly linked to an increase in mould, dust mites, dehydration and heatstroke all of which are harmful to health.
Air Conditioners Reduce Allergens
Air conditioners contain air filtration systems that can reduce dust mites, allergens and pollutants, which can lead to, or exacerbate, respiratory illness.
Air Conditioners Improve Air Quality
Air conditioners can help us to breathe easier, by assisting in the removal of dust and bacteria from the environment.
Air Conditioners Reduce the Risk of Dehydration
Keeping the air at the optimum temperature reduces the amount of water we lose from our body through sweating. When temperatures in the summer months soar, dehydration can be an unpleasant side effect causing headaches, dry mouth and nose, snoring and cramps all of which can be very disruptive and uncomfortable.
Air Conditioners Keep Unwanted Pests at Bay
An invasion of unwanted flying or crawling pests into your bedroom could be very frustrating when you are trying to rest. No one wants to be bitten in their sleep or worst still wants to be chasing an annoying insect around their room in the middle of the night. The installation of an air conditioning system will put a stop to any unwanted visitors of this kind, by being able to maintain a comfortable temperature with windows and doors closed.
Air Conditioners Eliminate Odours and Fumes
If you live in an area that is highly polluted because of traffic volumes, or industrial buildings you can keep your windows and doors shut, whilst still maintaining a comfortable room temperature The air filtration system in your air conditioner can enable you to breathe easier and help to provide cleaner air that is free from odours and fumes.
Air Conditioners Reduce Noise
If your bedroom faces a busy road or you live in a built up area it can be difficult to fall asleep, and stay asleep. The luxury of being able to keep windows and doors firmly closed especially during the hotter months, means that any distraction from outside noise is kept to the minimum.
Is it Better to Sleep in Cooler Temperatures?
During a 24 hour period your body’s internal temperature fluctuates, this fluctuation is all part a natural cycle that we refer to as our body clock. In technical terms this is called your circadian rhythm which regulates your biological and physiological processes. From late afternoon your body decreases in temperature in preparation for the nocturnal sleep phase. With this in mind it makes good sense to be mindful of your bedroom temperature, keeping the temperature cooler rather than hotter.
What is the Perfect Air Conditioner Temperature for Sleeping?
Most people will agree that a comfortable bedroom temperature is key to achieving a good quality night’s sleep in fact a National Sleep Foundation Poll concluded that “two-thirds or more rated the following elements as important in getting a good night’s sleep: Cool room temperature (79%) Fresh air, free of allergens (75%)”.
Adjusting or programming your air conditioner to maintain the best room temperature to sleep in is key to improving your sleep quality, of course this varies from person to person, but it is recommended that you set your thermostat somewhere between 20 and 24°C. In the industry any temperature within this range is classed as comfort cooling, which of course is self explanatory. There will be other variables that affect your decision though, for example, you may prefer thicker bedding or nightwear and a lower temperature or vice versa.
What is sleep mode in my air conditioner?
If you air conditioner comes equipped with this function, your room temperature will automatically be regulated to keep you comfortable through the different stages of sleep, decreasing or increasing room temperature in line with your body’s natural sleep cycle.
This also ensures that your AC system is working economically, so you can rest assured that you are helping to keep your energy bills low.
Evergreen Air Conditioning Limited provide air conditioning services to suit all budgets and applications. For expert advice on installation, maintenance, or emergency repair of an AC system in your home or workplace, please contact our specialist team.