The importance of a good night’s rest is hard to overstate, yet many of us don’t get as much sleep as we should. Many factors can influence the quality of your sleep, from how much you use a smartphone before bed to the type of bedding you use. Environmental factors play just as much of a role, though, such as the temperature in the room. Especially during the summer, many people prefer a cooler sleeping environment. However, could your HVAC be affecting your sleep in a problematic way, too?
While you might simply punch in your preferred temperature on the thermostat and head to bed, it’s possible that your system keeps you from sleeping as well as you could. What are some of the factors that might complicate a good night’s rest?
Poor Temperature Control Can Leave You Uncomfortable
Whether you prefer to keep things at a comfortable 75 degrees all day long or you prefer temperatures to be a bit chillier as you lay down for sleep, there aren’t many of us who can comfortably rest inside a hot home. However, do you find yourself frequently waking up in a sweat because the air conditioner is not appropriately maintaining the temperature? Maybe your unit runs all night but never seems to properly cool your bedroom to the point where you can easily fall asleep. Operational problems that lead to inadequate cooling is one of the promises ways your HVAC might be affecting sleep in your household. Luckily, with a maintenance visit from a contractor skilled in HVAC in Santa Rosa, correcting this issue is often not too challenging.
Is Your AC Struggling to Control the Humidity?
As a byproduct of cooling the air in your home, air conditioners also act as a way to control the humidity levels indoors. The physical act of cooling the air pulls out moisture, which is then allowed to condense and run away through a drain pipe. Humidity plays an important role in indoor comfort, which in turn connects to how easily you can sleep. When your air conditioner is not working correctly, it can lead to imbalanced humidity levels.
If your AC cannot keep up with how much moisture is in the air, it could lead to the growth of mold in your ductwork and around vents. Mold has many potential adverse health impacts, including effects on sleep. If there is not enough humidity in your bedroom, though, you may feel “dried out,” experiencing sore throats and other issues. A qualified technician should examine your system in the event you experience either extreme. If mold has developed, you may need duct cleaning.
Poor Indoor Air Quality Could Be Stopping Your Sweet Dreams
How often do you think about the quality of the air you breathe indoors? While it’s easy to believe that it must be cleaner than the air outdoors, especially if you live in a very urban area, that’s not always true. There are a wide variety of indoor air contaminants that can negatively affect your health and, yes, how well you sleep at night. If you do not change your air conditioning filter regularly, additional airborne irritants could circulate through your home. We all know it’s not easy to fall asleep when you’re experiencing an allergic reaction, such as a stuffy nose. Regularly changing your filters and periodic duct cleaning can keep your air quality at acceptable levels.
Older, Noisy HVAC Could Be Affecting Your Sleep
Sometimes the operation of your HVAC unit itself is enough to keep you up at night. Is the unit so noisy that you need to find other white noise to cover it up at night? Do loud bangs, thumps, and hisses wake you up just as you’re at the edge of sleep? Older units and those suffering from mechanical problems may be much noisier than they should be. Modern units are not only virtually whisper quiet, but all you’ll need to worry about hearing is the soft whisper of air rushing through your vents. If you can’t get a good night’s rest because of a clanking and banging air conditioner, call for service today.
Find Solutions for Better Sleep at Night
From air that feels practically saturated with moisture to waking up in a sweat because of a struggling air conditioner, there are many ways that your HVAC could be affecting your sleep. However, with periodic HVAC maintenance and some actions you can take on your own, restoring your ability to rest easy isn’t hard at all. A professional technician can examine your system, put a stop to strange noises, and even suggest cost-effective options for a replacement if the situation warrants. Don’t let your air conditioner keep you up at night when a quick call to a trusted local service provider could be all you need to solve the problem.