There are many cooling methods for online mattresses. Some mattresses use punctured foam, while others combine cooling gel with foam. Many mattresses, including the Nest Love & Sleep mattress, use a phase-change cover.
This type of cover is embedded with either PCMs orMaterial for Phase Change.
A phase change cover can be one of the most effective ways to keep a mattress cool. What are phase change covers and what do they do?
PCMs
Many insulation applications that require a consistent temperature range have used phase change materials for many years.
Here’s how they work.
They melt when the temperature rises. During this phase change, they absorb heat and cause the surrounding environment to cool. When the temperature drops, it is the opposite. They can freeze and then release heat, warming the surrounding environment.
This principle is very useful in phase change mattress covers. The cover will keep you in a comfortable temperature that allows for restful sleep.
The PCMs will react to extreme temperatures to restore the ideal temperature.
This is a detailed explanation of the role of PCMs in mattresses.
PCMs In Mattresses
The memory foam in the Zotto mattress is PCM-free
You begin to warm up slowly when you get into bed. The heat from your body is trapped under the mattress and in the foam of the mattress.
All this is fine until the mattress gets too hot from the trapped heat. Memory foam mattresses can get extremely hot due to the fact that they retain more heat.
This is when the PCMs come into play.
Depending on which PCMs are used, they may react to temperature changes up to a certain point.
They will warm up alongside the mattress before that. Once the trigger temperature has been reached, however, the PCMs will melt into liquid.
Here is where the fun begins.
The phase change materials absorb heat from their surroundings as they melt. In this case, the bed. The PCMs do not heat up. It’s almost like inflating a balloon but not blowing it.
The vast heat storage capacity of PCMs is unaffected by temperature changes.
The mattress cools quickly because they absorb heat.
The trigger temperature of the PCMs is also reached. The PCMs then become solid. They release heat from their frozen state into the surrounding environment.
They do not lose heat, so they don’t change their temperature.
This will warm up the bed again.
The PCMs oscillate between the two phases (solid and liquid) to maintain a comfortable temperature range for the mattress. They don’t let you go too hot or too cold.
This is a visual representation of how PCMs function.
Credit to Microtek Labs
Because PCMs in mattresses work best when they are close to your body, they are often added to the mattress cover rather than the foam beneath.
Some mattresses, such as Zotto, include PCMs in the foam layers. This is usually the top layer.
Types Of PCMs
Different PCMs can be used in different temperatures. Manufacturers select those that maintain the mattress in the optimal temperature range.
Companies don’t usually disclose which PCMs are used.
Most use polyolefins, which are special waxes that come in the form of polymer chains links or encapsulated gells. To achieve temperature control, they will often use multiple types of PCM in their mattress.
Who Should Buy A PCM Mattress?
Anybody who wants a mattress that is always cool.
A PCM mattress can help you sleep better if you have heat sensitive skin or live in hot areas.
It is a smart idea to look for a memory foam mattress that has a PCM cover if you plan to purchase one.
Memory foam traps heat, which can cause the mattress to become too warm. Overheating can be prevented by a phase change cover.
Mattresses With A PCM
These are just a few of the mattresses that have phase change materials. This is not an exhaustive list.
- Nest Love & Sleep mattress is a three-layer mattress made of Energex and poly foam. The cover contains the PCMs. Check out our mattress review.
- Cocoon mattress from Sealy, a memory foam layer for budget with PCMs in its cover.
- Zotto Sleep mattress is one of few mattresses that has PCMs in the foam, rather than in the cover.
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