How much does an electric blanket cost to run?
A double electric underblanket costs about 1.84p an hour on its highest setting, and 14.7p for a full eight-hour night. Warming the bed for 30 minutes before you get in costs under a penny. Larger overblankets and heated throws cost around 3.95p an hour.
| Per day | 1.84p |
|---|---|
| Per week | 12.9p |
| Per month | 55.9p |
| October to March | £3.35 |
| Per year | £6.71 |
Models we have worked out
- Silentnight electric blankets from 1.84p an hour at full power
Cost by power rating
| Power | 30 min | 1 hour | 8 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50W | 0.66p | 1.32p | 10.5p |
| 70W | 0.92p | 1.84p | 14.7p |
| 100W | 1.32p | 2.63p | 21.1p |
| 120W | 1.58p | 3.16p | 25.3p |
| 150W | 1.97p | 3.95p | 31.6p |
Find the power rating on the label underneath or on the back of the appliance, or in its manual. It is usually written in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW); 1kW is 1,000W.
Underblanket, overblanket or throw?
Power use depends mostly on size and type. An underblanket sits under the sheet and only has to warm the mattress, so it draws little power: around 50W for a single and 60W to 120W for a double, depending on whether it has one control or two. An overblanket or heated throw is bigger and is used on top of you, so models are often rated at 100W to 160W.
The exact figure is on the controller or on the label sewn into the blanket. Put it into the calculator above for an exact cost.
Heat settings change the cost
Most blankets have between three and nine heat settings. On most blankets the controller does not lower the wattage; it switches the heating wires on and off, and on lower settings it stays off for longer. So the costs above are for the highest setting, and on a low setting the real cost can be half that or less.
A common way to use a blanket is to pre-heat the bed on high for 20 to 30 minutes, then switch it to low or off when you get in. That costs a penny or two a night.
Electric blanket or heating the bedroom?
An electric blanket uses a tiny amount of energy compared with heating the air in a room. Even an all-night session on high uses about 0.6 kWh with a 70W blanket. A 2kW electric heater uses that much in under 20 minutes. If the blanket means you can leave the bedroom heating off overnight, it is one of the cheapest ways to stay warm.
For a full comparison with plug-in heating, see what an oil-filled radiator costs to run.
Using an electric blanket safely
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions, including whether the blanket is approved for all-night use.
- Check the blanket and cable for wear, scorch marks or loose connections before each winter. Replace it if it is more than 10 years old or damaged.
- Do not use it with a hot water bottle, and do not fold or crease it while it is switched on.
- Choose a model with an auto-off timer if you tend to fall asleep with it on.
Common questions
How much does it cost to run an electric blanket all night?
Eight hours costs 14.7p for a 70W double underblanket and 31.6p for a 150W overblanket at full power. On a low setting it costs less. Only leave a blanket on overnight if the manufacturer says it is designed for all-night use.
How much does it cost to warm the bed for 30 minutes?
Pre-heating for half an hour costs 0.92p with a 70W blanket and 1.97p with a 150W one, less than a penny or two.
Is an electric blanket cheaper than central heating?
Much cheaper per hour. A blanket uses well under 0.2 kWh an hour, while a gas boiler heating a whole house uses several kWh. Warming yourself in bed with a blanket instead of heating the bedroom overnight saves money, as long as the rest of the house is not being heated anyway.
Do electric blankets use a lot of electricity?
No. They are among the cheapest electrical appliances to run. Which? found blankets cost about 2p to 6p an hour, and a 70W blanket costs 1.84p an hour at the current cap.
Are heated throws more expensive than electric blankets?
Slightly. Throws and overblankets are usually larger and are used while you sit up, so they often draw more power than an underblanket. Check the wattage on the label and put it in the calculator.