Bedroom Energy & Comfort

Good sleep requires the right temperature and environment. The bedroom is also where we spend roughly a third of our time—much of it when we don't need the same level of climate control as when awake. Here's how to balance comfort and efficiency in the bedroom.

Sleeping Temperature

Optimal for Sleep

Sleep research suggests most people sleep best in cooler conditions:

• Around 65-68°F (18-20°C) is often cited as ideal
• Cooler than typical daytime comfort temperature
• This aligns well with energy efficiency—you can set back heating at night

Heating at Night

• Lower the thermostat while sleeping
• Use warmer bedding instead of higher heat
• Programmable thermostats can raise temperature before you wake
• Electric blankets use minimal energy for personal warmth

Cooling at Night

• The body naturally cools during sleep—don't fight it
• A fan may be sufficient instead of AC
• Raise AC temperature slightly at night
• Breathable bedding helps you stay cool

Bedding Choices

Seasonal Bedding

• Winter: Heavier comforters, flannel sheets, layered blankets
• Summer: Lightweight cotton or linen, minimal layers
• Adjust bedding rather than thermostat when possible

Personal Heating/Cooling

Targeted comfort solutions use less energy than conditioning the whole room:

• Electric blankets: Low energy, effective warmth
• Heated mattress pads: Warm the bed, not the room
• Cooling mattress pads: Help regulate body temperature in summer
• Hot water bottles: Zero electricity, old-fashioned effectiveness

Electronics

Common Bedroom Electronics

• Phone chargers
• Alarm clocks
• TVs (increasingly common in bedrooms)
• Laptops and tablets
• Sound machines or speakers

Efficiency Tips

• Unplug chargers when not charging
• Use sleep timers on TVs so they turn off automatically
• Battery alarm clocks eliminate phantom load
• Keep devices off the bed to prevent overheating (and improve sleep)

Lighting

Bedroom Lighting Needs

• General lighting for dressing, cleaning
• Task lighting for reading
• Often dimmer light preferred in evenings

Efficient Approaches

• LED bulbs throughout
• Reading lamp instead of overhead lighting
• Dimmer switches for flexibility
• Turn off lights when leaving (obvious but often forgotten)

Windows

Winter

• Close curtains at night to reduce heat loss
• Open curtains on sunny mornings for passive heating
• Check for drafts and seal if needed
• Thermal or blackout curtains provide insulation

Summer

• Block direct sun during the day
• Open windows at night for cool air (if safe and air quality allows)
• Close windows and curtains in the morning to trap cool air
• Reflective window films can reduce heat gain

Ceiling Fans

If your bedroom has a ceiling fan, use it effectively:

• Summer: Counterclockwise rotation creates a cooling breeze
• Winter: Clockwise at low speed pushes warm air down
• Fans make you feel cooler without lowering air temperature
• Turn off when room is unoccupied—they cool people, not rooms