Heater vs Blower: Which is More Beneficial For Better Sleep? Doctor Explains

With the onset of winter in northern India, many people turn to using electric heating devices to keep their homes warm. It becomes common in households to use a heater or blower while sleeping, and some even leave them on throughout the night. While both generate heat and protect you from the crisp winter chill, their use can directly impact your sleep cycle and sleep quality, indirectly influencing your mood for the next morning.

To understand which one is beneficial between a heater or a blower, for better sleep, and whether these heating devices should be left on for the whole night, we spoke to Dr Basavaraj S Kumbar, Consultant- Internal Medicine, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru.

Also Read: 9 Reasons Why You Should Add Strawberries To Your Winter Diet

Does a Heater Help You Sleep Better?

By sleeping in a warm environment, one can improve sleep onset, which means that in the warmth, one falls asleep faster. According to Dr Badavaraj S Kumbar, “a heater in the room keeps the temperature at a certain level, thus the body does not have to work too hard to produce its own heat.”

A heater indirectly facilitates the drop in the body's core temperature, which is a natural indication that eventually makes the brain get ready for sleep. However, Dr Kumbar also highlights how one can experience the opposite effect of overheating in the room. He explained, “Too high temperature can significantly disrupt the body's thermoregulation, which causes restlessness, dehydration, and interrupts the natural sleep cycle of the body.

It is important to note that setting the temperature between 18°C and 22°C is highly beneficial for sleep, as staying within this temperature range ensures one sleeps comfortably through the night.

Does a Blower Help You Sleep Better?

A blower works on a fan system, which helps one fall asleep faster and better. Talking about how a blower aids sleep, Dr Kumbar explained, “A Blower provides quick heat by lighting the hot air up and blowing it across the room. On very cold nights, this kind of warmth can quickly calm the body down and help a person fall asleep faster.”

“But, due to the same reason, blowers frequently lower the moisture content in the air, and the hot, dry air they transmit can be harsh on the individual’s skin, throat, and nasal passages. This dryness often results in irritated airways, which is why it especially affects people with sinus problems, asthma, or allergies,” he further added.

Dr Kumbar also highlights that at first glance, blowers might appear as the perfect small-sized solution, but the qualitative factor of the air they produce is far from ideal for long-lasting, deep, and undisturbed sleep.

Also Read: 5 Hidden Health Risks Of Room Heaters To Beware Of

Heater Vs Blower

Out of the two, a space heater is mostly referred to as a more advantageous option when it comes to better sleep. As shared by Dr Kumbar, Room heaters emit heat in a more even way without directing the airflow straight on the face or respiratory tracts, thus the environment stays softer both for the skin and breathing.

Dr Kumbar noted, “On the other hand, blowers heat the room more quickly but usually make the air extremely dry and uncomfortable for sleeping.”

However, the issue of which device is more beneficial does not come down to the problem of choosing between heaters or blowers, but rather to how these devices are used correctly and in moderation.

Health Effects of Sleeping With A Heater or Blower All Night

According to Dr Kumbar, keeping an electric heating appliance such as a heater or blower on throughout the night can cause dry indoor air, which in turn affects the overall health in several ways:

• It makes the air dry, which leads to dehydration, irritation, and headaches, symptoms of dry air syndrome.
• Prolonged exposure to dry warm air impacts the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.
• People suffering from illnesses like asthma, sinusitis, or sleep apnea should not use any of these appliances overnight, as their condition might worsen.
• Dry air weakens the body's defensive system against infections.
• The artificial air from these electric appliances stimulates different types of respiratory system diseases.
• Constant use of artificial heating can also bring down the oxygen level, making the room suffocating.
• It makes one feel tired even after taking long hours of sleep.
• Lack of ventilation or air circulation can deteriorate the symptoms of cough, congestion, and dry throat.

Dr Kumbar also shared a few ways to keep the situation positive, such as using a humidifier besides a heating unit, keeping proper ventilation in the room, and drinking water before going to sleep. These tricks alleviate the troubles and create a more sleep-friendly environment.

Bottomline

Excess use of both the heater and the blower can be more harmful than beneficial for overall health. Using them in moderation, with proper ventilation, and at a medium temperature is considered a good option. The best way is to keep heaters or blowers on for short periods only, such as 30 to 60 minutes before sleep, and then turn them off or put them on a timer.