How Regular HVAC Maintenance Can Improve Sleep Quality
Everyone’s searching for the secret to better sleep. From meditation apps and sleep podcasts to memory foam mattresses, weighted blankets, and sleep trackers, we’re all willing to try just about anything for eight solid hours of quality ZZZs. But while we focus on fancy pillows and white noise machines, we often overlook some of the most fundamental factors affecting our sleep: the air we breathe and the temperature of our sleeping environment.
What if the secret to better sleep has been hiding in your utility closet all along? Taking good care of your HVAC system is an often-neglected home maintenance task that can play a big role in helping you wake up rested and refreshed. Here’s a look at how regular HVAC maintenance can help you get better sleep.
How Your HVAC System Affects Your Sleep
Most of us picture mattresses and pillows when considering an ideal sleep environment. But this study from ScienceDirect is just one of many that shows how indoor air quality, along with temperature and humidity levels, can play a pivotal role in how quickly we fall asleep AND how restful our sleep is throughout the night. Here are three ways your HVAC system can directly impact the quality of your sleep.
1. Temperature Regulation
Ever wake up sweating or shivering in the middle of the night? Regular HVAC maintenance helps ensure your system provides consistent temperature control throughout the night. Our bodies naturally lower our core temperature in preparation for sleep, and maintaining a cool (but not cold) bedroom temperature of 65-68°F can help facilitate this process. Any unwanted temperature fluctuations can seriously disrupt your sleep cycles, keeping you from getting that deep, restorative sleep we all crave.
When your HVAC system hasn’t been adequately cared for, it will have to work harder than necessary to keep temperatures consistent. It won’t be able to effectively respond to the natural temperature changes that happen throughout the night.
2. Air Quality and Allergen Control
Nobody wants to spend the night breathing in stuff that will make them stuffy, sneezy, or wheezy. Poor air quality does a lot to your sleep, especially if you experience allergies, asthma, or respiratory issues. Scheduling regular HVAC maintenance keeps your system doing its job of filtering out things like:
- Dust and dust mites
- Pet dander (we love our furry friends, but not their floating fur)
- Pollen
- Mold spores
- Various airborne toxins and bacteria
Removing these irritants from your bedroom air will reduce nighttime congestion, sneezing, coughing, and other respiratory issues that can have you tossing and turning and prevent deep sleep.
3. Humidity Control
Too much humidity can make your bedroom feel stuffy and uncomfortable, while too little can dry out your airways and cause irritation. Your HVAC system is the only thing standing between you and these extremes, keeping things in that sweet spot (around 40-60%) where you can breathe easily and sleep comfortably. Professional HVAC maintenance is the best way to ensure your unit’s humidity control functions are working correctly.
Benefits of Regular HVAC Maintenance for Sleep
When you invest in regular HVAC maintenance, you’re investing in a better night’s sleep. And who doesn’t want that? Here’s what you can look forward to:
1. Better Temperature Consistency
When professional HVAC maintenance is performed, it’ll allow your system to actually do what you tell it to. Our technicians check everything from your thermostat settings to all the components that affect performance and keep temperatures steady. The result? Your bedroom stays precisely how you like it, all night long, for a night of restful ZZZs.
2. Improved Air Filtration
During HVAC maintenance visits, technicians will replace or clean your unit’s air filters, which is imperative for removing all those airborne particles that can disturb sleep or have you sneezing at 3 AM. Plus, clean filters translate to better airflow, which helps keep temperatures comfortable throughout your entire home.
3. Less Noise
Another bonus of scheduling HVAC maintenance? It’ll help keep things running smoothly and quietly — a.k.a. no disruptive noises that can interrupt your sleep. Regular check-ups allow the pros to identify and address loose components, worn bearings, or other issues that can cause your system to make any unwanted middle-of-the-night noises that jolt you awake.
4. Greater Energy Efficiency
With regular HVAC maintenance, your system can operate more efficiently, saving you money while delivering the best sleeping conditions possible. When your system runs efficiently, it can maintain temperature and humidity levels more effectively, creating the perfect sleep environment without excessive or costly energy use.
Easy HVAC Maintenance Tips for Better Sleep
Ready to start feeling refreshed when you wake up each morning? Here are some easy ways to keep your HVAC system sleep-friendly:
- Get a professional tune-up twice a year (spring and fall work great) to make sure your system’s ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at it.
- Replace filters every 1-3 months to maintain optimal air quality and system efficiency. If you have pets or allergies, consider changing filters more often.
- Grab a programmable thermostat and set it to automatically drop the temperature when bedtime.
- Think about adding a whole-home air purifier to your system to improve indoor air quality further.
- Keep bedroom vents clear and clean. That means no dust bunnies, curtains, or furniture blocking them.
Sleep Better with Silver State
When your HVAC system is at its best, it benefits you and your family in so many ways — better sleep, improved indoor air quality, lower energy bills, better comfort, the list goes on. If you’re ready to enjoy some uninterrupted ZZZs, contact us or click the “Book Now” button at the top of the screen to schedule your appointment today.
