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Read this if you sleep hot.
Key Points
- Cut down on extra heat by unplugging idle electronics, keeping sunny windows covered with light-colored blackout curtains during the day, and moving your bed away from walls that hold afternoon heat.
- Use windows strategically by opening them only when the outdoor air is cooler, creating a cross-breeze when possible, and sealing any drafts that let warm air creep in.
- Help your room feel cooler by improving airflow with open doors when needed, leaving air vents unblocked, running fans only when you’re in the room, and reducing humidity with exhaust fans, leak fixes, and air conditioning.
Summer is arguably the best season—except when it comes to getting a good night’s rest. It can be so hard to fall and stay asleep when the temperatures rise. But experts say that making a few small changes can help keep your bedroom cool at night. Below, we asked heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) experts for their tips on how to do so.
Banish Hidden Heat Sources
You could lower the temperature in your room simply by unplugging unused electronics, says Kevin Pennington, owner of Lancashire Air Conditioning. “Common electronics like big televisions, laptops, monitors, and even phone chargers are effectively small heaters. Even when they are on standby, they are drawing power,” he says.
Although one charger may not be a big deal, leaving multiple gadgets plugged in can make a difference, says Dereck Granados, HVACR instructor at Universal Technical Institute in Arizona. “While one device may not make a huge difference on its own, multiple electronics running together in a small bedroom can noticeably increase the temperature,” Granados says. ‘Unplugging or powering down electronics that aren’t being used can help reduce unnecessary heat buildup, improve comfort, and lower energy consumption.”
Close and Seal Windows
Opening a window feels like a natural solution to getting a cool breeze, but that can backfire in some instances, according to Ryan Osterkamp, owner of Quality Comfort Home Services. He recommends opening windows at night when the temperature is cooler and keeping them closed during the day. (To help with airflow, he recommends opening windows on opposite sides of your home, which can help create a cross breeze.)
It’s a good idea to check for leaks too, Osterkamp says, to keep as much warm air as possible out. “Light a match, candle, or incense, hold it near your windows, and see where the smoke goes to see if air is passing through your windows,” he explains. You can fix leaks using window sealant, which is available at most home supply stores.
Use Blackout Curtains
And keep blackout curtains closed during the sunlight hours, especially in rooms that get direct light exposure with east, south, or west-facing windows, Granados says. Blackout curtains will help keep walls, floors, and furniture from absorbing excess heat. “This can reduce the strain on your air conditioning system and help maintain a more consistent indoor temperature,” Granados explains.
But you want to be careful about the type of curtains you choose, Pennington warns. “A big mistake homeowners make is closing curtains made from dark, heavy fabrics to block the sun. Heavy materials in dark fabrics and aluminium or dark wood blinds absorb heat,” he explains. “This causes the room to get significantly hotter than it should be because they act like a radiator inside the room.” He recommends blackout curtains in a light shade, such as white, and placing them close to the glass to reflect light.
Maximize Airflow
Maintaining good airflow in your bedroom throughout the day can help keep the temperature comfortable. How you do that will depend a bit on how your home’s HVAC system is designed, according to Granados. “In homes with limited return air vents, keeping bedroom doors open can help air circulate more freely and improve overall comfort,” he explains. “However, if each room has its own return vent, keeping the door closed may help the room maintain a more stable temperature.”
It’s a common misconception that closing the vents in unused rooms, like a guest room, can route more air to other rooms, Osterkamp says, but that isn’t true. “Your AC is designed to move a certain amount of air based on the square footage of your home. Closing vents means that air has nowhere to go, building pressure in your ductwork and actually reducing airflow,” Osterkamp explains.
Place Fans Strategically
First, use fans only when you’re home, Osterkamp recommends. “Ceiling fans and box fans won't actually cool the temperature of the air in the room, but they make you feel cooler,” he says.
If you have multiple open windows in your room, try pointing one fan out the window, which will blow the hot air out. The other open window will allow the cooler night air in, Pennington says. If you have ceiling fans, set them to rotate counterclockwise, which helps create a downward breeze. “This pushes the air straight down onto you and creates a wind-chill effect,” Pennington says.
Use a Dehumidifier
Lower humidity can make a room feel cooler and more comfortable, even if the temperature remains the same, Granados explains. But humidifiers can be a double-edged sword, according to Pennington, since using one may generate a tiny bit of heat. “Taking the moisture out of the air stops the room feeling so heavy and sticky, which helps you sleep. However, a dehumidifier actually generates a bit of heat while it runs,” Pennington says. It’s best to minimize moisture in your home by fixing leaks, using exhaust fans, and turning on the AC whenever possible.
Put Your Bed in the Right Spot
A small trick that makes a big difference is positioning your bed away from a wall that receives afternoon sun, according to Pennington. “The brick absorbs the heat during the day and releases it at night, so you are basically sleeping next to a radiator,” he says.
Read the original article on Real Simple
