Hot and humid nights can prevent your body from cooling down naturally as you sleep, but one overlooked appliance could be the heatwave sleep aid you need. While many people reach for an electric fan, these aren't always the most reliable solution. To help Brits get a decent night's sleep during warmer spells, Marks Electrical spoke exclusively to sleep expert Dave Gibson, founder of The Sleep Site.
Why dehumidifiers work
Dave explained: "Our core body temperature naturally begins to fall by around 0.5-1°C as we fall asleep and through the first part of the night, but hot and humid conditions can prevent this cooling process from happening properly, leaving us tossing and turning throughout the night."
Before splashing out on an electric fan, it may be worth considering another appliance many of us already own for the colder months – the dehumidifier. Typically associated with drying laundry quickly and tackling mould, this handy device can also be very effective at cooling bedrooms during warm nights.
Dave said: "In a humid bedroom, the air is already saturated, so the sweat can't evaporate from your skin. A dehumidifier literally removes that excess moisture in the air so your body's natural cooling can work effectively in the hot humid nights."
Optimal humidity levels
He recommends keeping the relative humidity levels between 40-60%. Dropping below this range can cause discomfort when breathing by drying out the nose and throat, which in turn can worsen snoring. Dave added: "It's worth getting this right in both directions. Equally if you leave a room with excess humidity, it can encourage dust mites - and even mould in some cases. One bonus of dehumidifiers is the gentle hum they produce which can double up as white noise and therefore masks sound from outside (and inside) the bedroom."
Alternative for hay fever sufferers
For those whose sleep is disrupted by hay fever rather than the heat, an air purifier could be the way to go. Dave said: "A good air purifier filters out airborne pollen, dust and pet hair and helps you breathe more easily through the night combatting broken sleep from congestion, sneezing and itchy eyes. Typically, you would also get the extra bonus of white noise from purifiers too. Run it with the windows closed so you're cleaning and re-circulating the same low-pollen air rather than constantly inviting more in."
