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With heat waves already hitting in the spring, we’re getting a taste of what’s to come in the summer. There are reports of a potentially strong El Niño weather pattern heading our way this summer, with hotter-than-normal temperatures expected across the United States. In turn, attempts to stay cool by lowering the thermostat and cranking up air conditioners will result in higher utility bills. But there are even more ways to cool off this spring and summer, and it might even save you money in the long run.
How cooling bedding can save you money
Keeping your home cool doesn’t come cheap, and, naturally, you tend to see the price on your utility bills go up during the warmer months. But with rising prices on gas, food, and, well, pretty much everything else, we’re looking to save where we can. Surprisingly enough, swapping out your bedding to prepare for warmer weather can actually help.
When the temperature starts to rise, cooling and lightweight bedding can keep you comfortable, without having you feel all stuffy. And during warmer nights, you can get by with an energy-efficient tower fan to circulate the air and provide some relief from the heat with a nice, gentle breeze. Depending on where you live, you might be able to get by with some fans, but even if you have to turn to an air conditioner, cooling bedding is a game changer. When you pair bedding intended for warmer weather and an air conditioner together, you can set the temperature a little higher than you typically would with traditional bedding. In turn, you save a little money on your electricity bill.
From cooling sheets to cooling comforters, bedding for warm weather is an investment worth making if you want a good night’s sleep and lower utility bills this spring and summer.
Cooling Sheets
When it comes to bedding, a sheet set is the foundation that can make a big difference in sleep quality. With cooling bedding, the material is the most important factor. Winter bedding centers around heavy materials that retain heat, and warm-weather bedding is the exact opposite. You want materials that are lightweight, breathable, and regulate your body temperature with easy air flow, giving you a good night’s sleep without waking up from overheating in the middle of the night.
Cooling bedding is often made of linen, bamboo, Tencel Lyocell, and cotton percale. Linen is a luxurious material that’s super breathable with some texture to it, but tends to get softer with every wash. Bamboo from viscose or rayon is silky, smooth, and soft, often described as being cool to the touch and moisture-wicking. Tencel Lyocell has a similar feel to bamboo, with a soft and silky feel, but is considered more eco-friendly and durable. Cotton percale is highly breathable, lightweight, and has more of a crisp feel to it.
Lane Linen Organic Cotton 4-Piece Sheet Set
Sijo AiryWeight Tencel 4-Piece Sheet Set
Lux Decor Collection Bamboo Blend 4-Piece Sheet Set
Cozy Earth Bamboo 4-Piece Sheet Set
European Linen 4-Piece Sheet Set
Brooklinen Luxury Percale 4-Piece Sheet Set
Cooling comforters
A comforter offers a layer to your bed that provides, you guessed it, comfort. During the warmer months, this involves looking for a comforter that’s lightweight and breathable. To find the perfect summer comforter, you’re going to want to keep an eye on material, fill, and weight.
Similar to cooling sheets, cooling comforters are typically made of materials like Tencel Lyocell, bamboo, or blends that prioritize wicking away moisture and regulating body temperature. Then, you want to pay attention to the fill and weight. Down comforters are luxurious and fluffy, but for summer use, opt for lighter fills that are extra breathable. Down alternative comforters tend to be more budget-friendly since they’re usually made of synthetic materials or blends. They can be even lighter than heavier down comforters, making them perfect for warm weather. There are also all-season comforters designed for year-round use, providing equal parts warmth and breathability.
Bedsure 3-Piece Comforter Set
Rest Evercool Cooling Comforter
Snuggle Sac Natural Viscose Cooling Comforter
Lightweight quilts
During the really hot months, a comforter might be too warm. In that case, a lightweight quilt is the solution. It provides that extra layer of comfort without too much fill or heat retention. They’re perfect for hot sleepers and provide just enough coverage to keep you covered yet cool. This type of cooling bedding is particularly useful when you start using an air conditioner, as you can keep the temperature a little higher than you would have to with a heavier comforter.
If you haven’t guessed it already, quilts made of lightweight, breathable, and preferably natural materials are best for warmer weather. Polyester isn’t best known for its breathability, but there’s some flexibility with quilts, especially when you factor in air conditioning. Lightweight quilts made of polyester may not be as breathable as other materials, but they provide a cozy layer that can keep you comfortable in an air-conditioned room without making you overheat. Bonus points if they have moisture-wicking technology.
Wind & Reed Carbon Captured Cooling Quilt
Love’s Cabin 3-Piece Quilt Set
Evergracehome Cotton 3-Piece Quilt Set
Cooling blankets
Going down the cooling bedding checklist, if a comforter and a quilt are still too warm, a cooling blanket is your next best option. Cooling blankets are thinner and lighter than comforters and quilts, providing just the right amount of coverage without getting too warm.
In typical cooling bedding fashion, cooling blankets are made of light and breathable materials, like cotton, bamboo, linen, and Tencel Lyocell. They can also involve specialized blends and materials that give them a cool-to-the-touch feel. These are especially effective when used with a ceiling or tower fan running.
Sormag Cooling Blanket
Brookstone Cooling Throw
Bedsure GentleSoft Cotton Blanket
Cooling pillows
Cooling pillows are the icing on the cake that is cooling bedding. While it’s easy to consider how warm the wrong bedding can be in the summer, imagine too much heat retention from a pillow. The last thing you want to do is wake up in the middle of the night with a sweat-soaked head.
The best cooling pillows factor in not just the material, but also the cover of the pillow. For material, look for options that allow for better air flow, like shredded foam or Talalay latex, and with temperature-regulating properties, like gel-infused memory foam.
Purple Harmony Pillow
DreamyBlue Signature Pillow
Qutool Cooling Pillow
Why cooling bedding in the summer actually matters
Cooling bedding might seem like a gimmick, but making the swap during the warmer months can make a difference not just in your sleep quality but also in your utility bills. By maintaining a comfortable environment with bedding (or with a fan), you can reduce the need for running an energy-consuming air conditioner all night long, which will save you money in the long run.
