Electric blanket
How much electricity does an electric blanket use?
60–150 W · cycles on/off · $1–$4 per month
This is the clearest demonstration of a basic principle: heating a small space is cheaper than heating a large one. A blanket heats a bed; a space heater heats a room and most of the walls around it.
The comparison that matters
- Electric blanket: 100 W, three hours a night — about 9 kWh a month, roughly $1.50
- Space heater in the bedroom: 1,500 W, three hours a night — 135 kWh a month, roughly $22
Same comfort at night, fifteen times the cost. Blankets also cycle: once the bed is warm, the thermostat cuts the element for most of the night, so real usage is often below the nominal figure.
Safe use
Electric blankets are safe when used as designed, but three rules matter: never fold one while it is switched on, replace any blanket with a worn flex or damaged element, and do not use an older model on a bed where it can bunch up. Modern low-voltage blankets are markedly safer than the 1980s versions.
Heated mattress pads vs blankets
Heated mattress pads sit under the sheet and warm the whole bed evenly, usually drawing slightly less than a blanket because the heat is trapped. Blankets sit on top and deliver warmth downward. Pads tend to suit cold sleepers better; blankets suit people who want heat to fade as they sleep.
Frequently asked questions
How many watts does a electric blanket use?
60–150 W. The figure on the rating label is the maximum draw; actual use varies with settings, age and usage pattern.
How much does it cost to run a electric blanket per month?
With the defaults above it comes to the monthly figure shown in the calculator. At 16.5¢/kWh — the US residential average — that is a realistic middle estimate. Your own bill may be 30% lower or higher depending on state.
Is it cheaper to run a electric blanket at night?
Only if your utility offers a time-of-use plan and you avoid the 4pm–9pm peak window. On a flat-rate plan, the time of day makes no difference to the total.
Does the calculator account for real-world duty cycles?
Not automatically — you enter the effective hours yourself. For compressing appliances like refrigerators and AC units, enter the running watts and roughly the proportion of time the compressor is on, which is usually 30–50%.
Will a newer electric blanket actually save money?
Compare the kWh figure in the calculator against an Energy Star model's stated annual use. If the difference is a few hundred kWh a year, the payback on a replacement is usually long; if it is over 500 kWh, it is worth pricing out.