Few would argue that nothing improves their day like a good night’s sleep, and being able to save energy at the same time makes it even better. People with forced-air combustion heating systems in their homes can reap the benefits of lower heating bills and a good night’s sleep.
Why is That?
The human body has circadian rhythms that dictate when it’s ready for sleep. Body temperature starts to lower when it gets tired, and doesn’t start to increase until it’s fully rested. Trying to sleep in a room that’s too hot interferes with this rhythm, and you may have a fitful sleep. Being overly cold also interrupts the sleep cycle, but it’s easy to cure by adding a blanket.
Sleep experts at the National Institutes of Health have also found that sleeping in cool temperatures, ideally around 65 degrees, increases body metabolism slightly and helps burn excess blood sugar. Other researchers have found that cool temperatures also deepen REM sleep, which the brain requires for optimal functioning.
Turning Down the Thermostat
You may need to do trial and error tests before you find the ideal temperature for you, whether it’s 65 degrees or even lower. Once you know the optimal sleeping temperature, simply turn the thermostat down at night. Anything lower than 55 could freeze the pipes during exceptionally cold weather.
A programmable thermostat simplifies this last chore of the day by programming it to lower the temperature at bedtime an increasing it just before you awaken in the morning.
Limitations
Setting back the temperature with forced-air combustion furnaces will save energy, but doing so with an air-source heat pump could backfire. Heat pumps contain a supplemental heating coil that activates whenever there is a two-degree difference between the thermostat’s setting and the air temperature. A radiant heating system or electric furnace will be slow to respond if you turn the temperature down too far at night.
This simple way to improve sleep will save energy. For more ways to increase savings with your heating system, contact Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning, serving Fort Wayne homeowners.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about saving money and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 260-376-2961.
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