🌜 Sleep Soundly: The Impact of Air Conditioning on Sleep Quality

We all know that there’s no waking up well if we didn’t sleep well first. Sleep is the foundation for good health and mental wellbeing, shaping everything from our cognitive abilities to our cardiovascular health. As we seek better sleep and the benefits that come with it, there’s one factor that often gets overlooked. That’s air conditioning (AC). As temperatures continue to increase across the globe, the relationship between AC and sleep quality is one that can no longer be ignored. Let’s take a look at how air conditioning affects our sleep, and what homeowners can do to make sure their bedrooms are sanctuaries for quality sleep.

The Optimal Sleep Environment

Studies show that the ideal sleeping temperature is between 16-18°C (60-65°F). Temperatures above or below this range can affect sleep patterns and make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. With air conditioning, your bedroom can keep at an ideal temperature, keeping out external temperature fluctuations and heatwaves.

Reducing Humidity for Better Comfort

Excessive humidity makes one uncomfortable at night, tossing and turning and experiencing night sweats. Temperature control by air conditioning can again, in conjunction with humidity control, provide a sleeping environment conducive to an uninterrupted sleep. This can be of particular value in damp climates, where high humidity can become a persistent nuisance.

The Impact of Noise on Sleep Quality

Although air conditioning units are often a great help for maintaining the proper sleep environment, the noise they make can also be a problem. Many modern air conditioning units are designed to be very quiet, but if your air conditioner is older it might make a noise that wakes up a light sleeper. Using a quiet, modern air conditioning system or masking the air-conditioning sounds with white noise can help.

Air Quality and Respiratory Comfort

Since air conditioning filters out pollutants and allergens that can cause you to be uncomfortable when you breathe them in, it is another way to enhance the quality of your sleep. You’ll still need to regularly change the filter, and you’ll need to have your AC unit serviced periodically to keep your air clean and fresh.

Actionable Insights for Homeowners

Maintain an optimal bedroom temperature of 16-18°C (60-65°F) for the best sleep quality.

Turn on the AC’s dehumidifier function or use a free-standing unit to do this.

Invest in a quiet AC.

Make sure you get your AC unit serviced every year and clean the filters regularly so that air quality is not compromised.

In summary, if a homeowner is smart about it, air conditioning can improve sleep considerably by providing a comfortable setting for sleep. By controlling temperature, humidity, noise and air quality, the bedroom can be a haven for a good night’s sleep.