With temperatures dropping even lower this week as we head towards Christmas, your bedroom might be feeling colder than ever. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it can also significantly affect your sleep, so how can you keep your bedroom cozy and comfortable without spending big on energy bills?
The key, say our HVAC pros, has nothing to do with your thermostat, radiators, or even your bedding. Instead, it all comes down to the position of your bed. Here, they explain this simple bedroom tweak to help you avoid any cold-weather sleeping mistakes.
This One Bedroom Tweak Will Boost Cozy Comfort
Designing a bedroom for better sleep often comes with the considerations of choosing colors to make a bedroom feel warmer, but, as lovely as they may look, these won't actually keep you warm while you sleep.
Instead, says Josh Mitchell, HVAC expert and founder of AirConditionerLab, it's all to do with where your bed is placed within your bedroom layout.
'Putting your bed against an exterior wall in winter makes the whole sleep setup colder,' he explains. 'That wall is always losing heat to the outside. Even insulated walls drop in temperature faster than interior ones.
'During chilly nights, I’ve measured surface temps of 45 to 55°F on exterior walls, while the air in the same room held steady at 68°F. So even if the thermostat is doing its job, your body is pressed against a surface that’s pulling heat away for six to eight hours.'
And, as Josh warns, 'That's the kind of steady heat loss that leads to poor sleep, cold wake-ups, and overcompensating with more blankets or space heaters.
'People often think the room is underheated, but the problem is radiant heat loss to cold surfaces. You lose heat not just through the air, but also to whatever your body is touching,' which can seriously hinder any efforts you've made to sleep better.
What to Do Instead
Moving your bed can make all the difference on cold winter nights.
The simplest way to combat this and help you fall asleep faster and wake up more refreshed is to know exactly where a bed should be placed in a room.
Josh advises moving the bed to an interior wall, explaining, 'Interior walls are surrounded by conditioned space on both sides. They stay close to room temperature, usually within one to two degrees Fahrenheit of the air itself. That reduces heat loss through your back and head, keeps the sleep environment more stable, and stops those cold wake-ups around three or four a.m. when the house is at its coldest
'I’ve seen people move their bed just one wall over and cut their space heater use by three to five hours per night. That’s 50 to 70 hours of heating per month less, which translates into lower bills and better sleep.'
Glenn Cault, HVAC and air quality expert and CEO at Gault Heating & Cooling, adds that if you can't fully move your bed, even moving it just a little can make a big difference.
'Against an interior wall or diagonally in a corner formed by two interior walls are the two "warmest spots" of the room,' he advises. 'But even moving a bed just 12–18 inches away from a window and exterior wall can reduce the radiant chill you feel. Even double-pane windows and well-insulated walls feel colder than interior walls and pull away your body's heat even if you don't touch it directly.'
To further help cut energy bills, you can also:
- Use a heated mattress pad instead of a blanket: 'It warms you from below, runs at a lower wattage, and retains heat under the covers rather than losing it into the air,' says Josh. For this, we recommend the Sunbeam Electric Restful Quilted Heated Mattress Pad, available at Amazon, which is a number one bestseller. You can also use a hot water bottle for a more affordable fix.
- Lay down a thick rug or carpet if you have bare flooring: As Josh explains, even with central heating on, rooms with cold floors can drop two to four degrees Fahrenheit overnight. This is amplified in homes with crawlspaces or basements lacking in basement insulation ideas.
- Keep bedding breathable but layered: The best way to stay cozy is by layering natural materials, like cottons and wool. Then, you can add or remove layers as you need. You can also make bedding feel warmer in winter by opting for a higher tog duvet or adding a throw blanket. I've been testing and loving the Bedsure Gentlesoft 2-in-1 Comforter Set and Detachable Fluffy Blanket available at Amazon in this cold weather.
- Check your vent placement: 'I’ve been in bedrooms where the supply vent was working fine, but a bed frame was blocking the only return,' warns Josh. 'That traps warm air near the ceiling, leaving the lower half of the room freezing. If the air can’t circulate, no schedule or thermostat setting will fix the cold.'
- Use a programmable thermostat: As Chris Hays, owner at Local Roots AC and Plumbing, advises, 'A programmable thermostat is effective. You can temper the room 30 minutes before bedtime to ensure a comfortable temperature for the night's rest.' The Sensi Smart Programmable Wi-Fi Thermostat available at Walmart is a bestseller.
Cozy Bedroom Essentials
Once you've moved your bed, these products are designed to bolster and boost warmth, and add some cozy comfort.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This smart mattress pad features memory and pre-heat functions, with 10 heating levels and 12 time settings for customizable and adjustable comfort. It's also safe to use with an auto-off function to prevent overheating.
For a quick, affordable fix, a hot water bottle can keep you cozy all night without adding to your energy bills. This one comes with a soft and fluffy cover, and is designed with a wide-mouth opening for easy filling. It'll definitely take the chill off at bedtime.
Adding a quilt to your bed is a gorgeous way to add a touch of cozy charm to your bedroom space. This one is affordable, fun, and chic, with classic stripes on the reverse side if you want to switch up the vibe.
You don't need a big budget for a super cozy duvet insert – this one effectively helps air to circulate and moisture to evaporate, and it's easy to wash, too, on a normal washer cycle.
This touchscreen thermostat is easy to set and adjust, with a backlit touchscreen display that shows current room temperature and set point temperature simultaneously.
The bright colors in this gorgeous throw blanket are sure to make any space look and feel warmer. It's fluffy and brushed for extra softness, and suitable for machine washing when it needs a refresh
Meet the Experts
Josh founded AirConditionerLab over a decade ago, in 2014, with the aim to educate and inform readers about proper maintenance and care of their HVAC systems, and any significant mistakes they may be making, like placing their bed against an exterior wall, and how to avoid them.
Glenn is an HVAC and air quality expert, and the CEO at Gault Heating & Cooling, with years of hands-on experience in home heating. Gault Heating & Cooling, a family-run business which Glenn took over from his father, was founded in 1955.
'A lot of heat issues aren’t about adding more heat – they’re about keeping what’s already there,' adds Josh. 'Switching walls is one of those low-effort, high-impact changes that people don’t think about until someone points it out.'
The hotel method layering trick is also a great way to stay cozy.
