A variable speed air handling system for cooling and/or heating a room including a sleep mode. The system includes a fan assembly to transport air from the system into the room, the fan assembly having a substantially continuously adjustable speed within a range of speeds defined by a predetermined upper limit and a predetermined lower limit. A user interface transmits a sleep mode signal upon activation of the sleep mode by a user. A control unit controls the fan assembly and the climate control unit to gradually raise an ambient temperature in the room over a predetermined period of time in response to the sleep mode signal transmitted by the user interface.