There is a reason everyone says that a good night’s sleep cures all. While we know that isn’t necessarily true, getting a full night’s rest does help you rejuvenate your body and mind so that you’ll be ready to face any challenges that await the following day. But what happens when your sleep is disrupted and a good night’s sleep seems far out of reach? There are any number of things that could be to blame, but it’s important to consider how your HVAC system can affect your sleep quality and overall well-being. From producing uncomfortable temperatures to emitting loud noises, your HVAC system can play a bigger role in your sleep quality than you may think.
At Lex Air Conditioning and Heating, our top priority is ensuring our customers in Carrollton, TX and the nearby areas have properly working heating and air conditioning units that keep them content and comfortable throughout both the day and night. That’s why we believe it’s so important for homeowners to be aware of the potential HVAC issues that could be keeping them up at night. Read on to learn how a problematic HVAC unit can prevent you from having a sound slumber.
What is the Optimal Temperature Range for Sleep?
According to the Sleep Foundation, the ideal bedroom temperature for optimal sleep is typically between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit (or 18.3 and 20 degrees Celsius). Lowering your room temperature with your AC as bedtime approaches can help mimic your body’s natural temperature drop, preparing you for sleep.
Although many people prefer to sleep in lower temperatures, it’s essential that you try to find your own ideal temperature setting for sleep.
Other Factors To Consider for a Good Sleep
Aside from temperature settings, there are several variables to consider when it comes to creating a quality sleep environment. This includes:
- Choosing a mattress and pillows that provide the right support and comfort for your sleeping position
- Using breathable, high-quality sheets and blankets that are appropriate for the season
- Minimizing noise with soundproofing, white noise machines, or earplugs
- Keeping the bedroom dark with blackout curtains or an eye mask
- Maintaining good air quality with an air purifier, proper ventilation, and by keeping the room clean and free of allergens
- Sticking to a consistent sleep schedule
- Avoiding heavy meals, caffeine, and alcohol close to bedtime and staying hydrated throughout the day
- Limiting the use of electronic devices before bed to reduce blue light exposure (which can interfere with sleep)
Why Your HVAC Unit May Be To Blame for Sleep Problems
If you’ve done everything you can to make your sleep environment perfect but you still can’t seem to stay asleep at night, you may be overlooking one of the most common culprits: your HVAC system. If you’re heating and air system isn’t maintaining a consistent temperature or properly managing humidity levels or if it’s contributing to poor air quality and loud noise levels in your home, it could be affecting your ability to obtain a night of quality sleep.
Inconsistent Temperatures
One of the most common ways your home’s HVAC system can disrupt sleep is through fluctuating temperatures. Even if you’re able to find and set the right temperature for your internal thermostat, you may not be able to fall asleep or sleep soundly through the night if your problematic HVAC system fails to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the night. When your bedroom is too hot or too cold, falling and staying asleep becomes increasingly difficult.
If your HVAC system is producing inconsistent temperatures, it could be due to a variety of different factors, including leaky ductwork, a faulty thermostat, a wrongly sized system, and inadequate maintenance. The best way to solve uneven temperatures in your home is to call in an HVAC technician to inspect your equipment and identify/address whatever is the cause of your system’s poor temperature control.
Improper Humidity Levels
Another major contributor to poor sleep is improper humidity levels in your home. Both too much humidity and too little humidity can affect your sleep cycle and ability to get a good night’s sleep. If your home is too humid, you’ll likely find yourself tossing and turning all night because the warm, sticky conditions are making you feel stuffy and sweaty. On the other hand, if the humidity in your home is too low, the dry air can lead to difficulty breathing, itchy skin, sore throats, and more, making it incredibly hard to stay sleeping.
While a good quality HVAC system should help maintain proper levels of humidity in your home, depending on the climate you live in and the specific conditions of your home, it may be in your best interest to invest in a whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier system to better control the humidity in your home.
If you need help obtaining or maintaining the ideal humidity level in your Carrollton home, our humidity control specialists at Lex Air can help.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
It should come as very little surprise that poor indoor air quality = poor sleep quality. As your HVAC affects the circulation of air in your home, things like a dirty air filter or clogged duct can greatly contribute to poor air quality and therefore, poor sleep.
Dirt, dust, pollen, pet dander, and other debris and contaminants circulating through the air can affect your overall health and make you more vulnerable to symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, eye irritation, headache, and respiratory issues. You’ll likely have a more difficult time sleeping if you’re suffering from these symptoms.
There are a few tasks you can do to improve the air quality in your home, including regularly replacing your dirty filter and receiving air duct cleaning. Changing the filter is an easy task you can do yourself, but cleaning the ducts is something that’s best left to the professionals. Air purifiers, air scrubbers, and other air cleaning devices can also be a great weapon against poor air quality.
If you’re not sure what the quality of your indoor air is like and how it is affecting you, call the Carrollton indoor air quality specialists at Lex Air for expert assistance today.
Loud Noises
When HVAC systems are old or poorly maintained, they can be a major disruption when it comes to getting a restful sleep. Loud, annoying noises from your air conditioner or heating system can wake you up, especially if you’re a light sleeper, and prevent you from getting a sound sleep.
These strange HVAC noises often indicate that something is wrong with your equipment. For instance, a squealing sound may suggest that the blower motor has a bad belt or bearing problems, while a rattling sound may indicate that a component is coming loose. These issues not only cause disruptions to your sleep, but also signal that your HVAC system needs professional attention.
If the noise persists, call an experienced Carrollton AC contractor like Lex Air to diagnose and fix the problem, ensuring your system operates quietly and efficiently for a more restful sleep.
HVAC Tips for Better Sleep
If you’re having issues with your heating and cooling system and it’s negatively affecting your sleep schedule, there are several steps you can take to resolve the issue. For starters, scheduling regular HVAC maintenance checks with the certified technicians at Lex Air ensures your system is working properly and reliably. Regular maintenance also helps ensure proper ventilation and humidity control, meaning you can benefit from fresh air that improves your breathing and overall sleep quality. Keeping your air filters clean and replacing them regularly is also crucial.
Another thing you may want to consider is installing a smart thermostat or zoning system to combat inconsistent temperatures. A smart thermostat allows you to control your heating and cooling remotely, adjusting temperatures based on your schedule and preferences. This means the temperature can automatically lower when you leave for work and adjust to your preferred setting at bedtime.
Zoning systems offer another level of customization, allowing you to set specific temperatures for different areas of your home. So, if you’re a naturally hot sleeper but your child gets cold at night, installing a home zoning system is a great way to make sure everyone has their ideal temperature for the best night’s sleep possible.
How Lex Air Can Help
We understand that a malfunctioning HVAC system can cause significant sleep disturbances, whether it’s due to inconsistent temperatures or noisy operation. That’s why, at Lex Air, we are dedicated to ensuring that your HVAC system is no longer responsible for disrupting your sleep.
Our team of certified technicians provides comprehensive heating and air conditioning maintenance and repair services to keep your system running smoothly, efficiently, and quietly. With regular maintenance checks, we can ensure your air filters are clean, your system is properly ventilated, and humidity levels are controlled while also catching any minor problems before they become bigger and more disruptive.
If poor indoor air quality is to blame, our IAQ specialists can scope out the issue and recommend the best services and products based on our findings. We also offer smart thermostats and zoning system installations, allowing you to customize your home’s temperature settings to suit your sleep preferences.
By trusting our HVAC experts at Lex Air with your HVAC needs, you can enjoy a restful night’s sleep without worrying about unexpected noises or temperature fluctuations.
Need Better Sleep? Call the Carrollton HVAC Contractors at Lex Air Today
Now that you know how your HVAC system impacts your sleep quality, we hope you can take the necessary steps to address any potential issues you may be experiencing.
If you’re having trouble sleeping due to noisy or inefficient heating and cooling, be sure to contact the Carrollton HVAC experts at Lex Air Conditioning and Heating. Give us a call at (972) 217-8955 or reach out online today to schedule your maintenance or upgrade appointment now and experience the difference a well-maintained HVAC system can make in achieving a good night’s sleep.
