When it starts getting colder, there is a need to heat, and it is not a secret that more and more people are using heating appliances that might be faster and less costly than turning on a regular heater. That is why electric blankets are a good ally in terms of heating during cold evenings since they warm up very fast, help to relax, and the temperature setting is not a problem.
They are quickly becoming an excellent substitute for space heaters because they cut down on the energy bill in a big way. So, how much electricity does an electric blanket use?
This article explains electric blankets’ energy consumption and their impact on your monthly utility bill. Read on!
What is an Electric Blanket?
An electric blanket or a bed warmer is a home electric appliance that can be described as a blanket containing an electric heater. This is usually made of acrylic and polyester fabric which is suitable and efficient in holding heat enough to warm and at the same time is resistant to fire. Electric blankets produce electricity through a power source conveyed from an outlet so that circuits on the surface of the blanket provides the necessary electric power.
There are various types; for example electric over blanket, which can be used just like the normal blanket on top of a comforter ; electric under blanket that is spread on the bottom of the bed on top of the bottom sheet ; there is also the heated throws which can be used on your sofa.
How Much Electricity Does an Electric Blanket Use?
On average, electric blankets usually use between 100 and 150 watts of power if you run an electric blanket for an hour. This means using a 150 watts electric blanket for one hour per day for one month would result in energy usage of 4.5kWh.
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Although, some electric blankets might also have watt ratings ranging from 200 to 400 watts. Nonetheless, if you use an electric blanket in a way that isn’t excessive, the amount of power it consumes is relatively low.
Of course, the electricity usage of electric blankets depends on several factors, including the temperature setting, how long you keep it on, and how often you use it. But, even at their highest setting, most electric blankets have a relatively low energy consumption compared to that of a central heating system or a space heater. Electric blankets don’t impact your electricity bill as much as other heating devices.
How Much Does it Cost to Run an Electric Blanket?
While electric blankets may use less energy than heating devices like space heaters, what does this do to your electricity bills? The good news is that you won’t have to worry about the electricity consumption of these devices; it is minimal.
The overall cost that you pay for your electric blanket energy may also differ from this because watts differ and so does electricity.
In order to know all the expenses that you’ll be having once you turn on your electric blanket, you require to know your electric blanket wattage, the hours you use it and the electricity rates per kilowatt-hour.
For instance, you have electric blanket that consumes 150 watt and you use it three times at night for 6 hours each time, and the cost of electricity is $ = 0.12 per kilowatt hour. In that case; your cost of running the blanket would be;
Blanket’s wattage x Time used in hours x electricity rates per kilowatt hour
((Watt x Hours) ÷ 1000) x Cost
That is; (150 x 8) ÷ 1000 = 1.2 kWh
Therefore, the total electricity cost per day is;
1.2 kWh x $0.12 = $0.144
In one month, that would come out to $0.144 per day x 30 days = $4.32
Electric Blankets Vs. Electric Heaters
If you’re trying to heat your home for less, you’d likely be deciding between the benefits of a heated blanket or an electric heater, and being able to determine how much energy the latter uses is quite important. An energy point of view, a heated blanket is more efficient than an electric heater. As a result, an electric blanket is regarded as a better solution for your house.
How to Reduce the Energy Consumption of an Electric Blanket
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Here are some tips to keep in mind specifically for your electric blanket
1. Turn off Your Heating or at Least Turn it Down
According to Energy Saving Trust, turning your electric blanket off or down is the simplest way to reduce the energy used for heating. Also, this allows you to get the most out of your blanket.
Instead of running your heating all evening and night, you should only do it when necessary and use your heated blanket to warm you once you are in bed. Also, turning off your electric blanket does not only reduce energy consumption but also the chances of your blanket causing fire.
2. Stay Low and Add Heat when Necessary
Keep the heat settings low when you are using your heated blanket. And you can put it on higher settings for a short time if you need a little extra oomph. Most electric blanket models have three heat settings, including low, medium, and high.
You can easily change the heat levels by clicking a button on the remote that comes with the electric blankets. The oversized electric blankets often come with dual controls to control the heat level on either side.
3. Keep Your Electric Blanket in Good Condition
Constantly folding or moving your electric blanket around risks damaging it. The best condition to put it in is to roll it, so ensure you roll it up when storing it.
4. Prepare in Advance
Instead of blasting your electric blanket on a high heat setting before you get into bed, you should prepare it earlier and put it on a lower heat level. High heat settings will use more power, but if you heat your blanket on low heat, it won’t use so much energy.
5. Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades
Installing energy-efficient home upgrades such as house insulation and energy efficient windows and utilizing energy efficient electric blankets greatly reduce the electricity consumption on your electric blankets. Home insulation and energy efficient windows retain the heat inside; therefore, you will not take long heating your blanket.
Frequently Asked Questions on Electric Blanket’s Energy Consumption
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1. Does an electric blanket use a lot of electricity?
Electric blankets with thin built-in wires to distribute the heat, typically result in low energy usage. Even with electric heating in the type of heated blanket, your energy bills would be slightly higher than normal depending on the wattage of the blanket and the heat setting you select. A typical electric blanket requires about 100 watts per hour to heat a double bed electric blanket although this will also depend on the size and type of the electric blanket.
Another way that you can try to look at on this issue is to ensure that after every few hours of using the electric blanket you put off the timer or switch off the electric blanket. And even if you are content with the lowest heat level, there is no need to leave your electric blanket on all night.
2. What are the energy-saving features of an electric blanket?
If you want to save as much energy as possible, there are a few things to look for in an electric blanket:
- Timer –most of the electric blankets have a timer and this means you can set your blanket to switch off after the agreed number of hours such that it does not give you a warm night.
- Variable power and heat settings –the higher the heat level the higher the energy consumption. Hence if your blanket is variable to the amount of heat it provides you, you can get the required amount of heat and can even minimize or maximize to the required amount of power available.
- Dual controls for larger blankets – it should only heat that part where it is needed. For single use blanket it would mean warming the remaining body or even your feet while for the double electric blanket it means warming only the half part of the blanket.
3. How much electricity does a heated blanket use?
On average, a heated blanket consumes 150 watts of power per hour. So, if you heat your blanket for 3 hours per day, this will translate to 0.45kWh. However, this consumption will depend on your settings. A heated blanket on low settings will consume less power than on higher settings.
4. Can you use an electric blanket with a generator?
You can heat an electric blanket using a portable generator because it stores enough energy. Quiet deep-cycle generators can heat your electric blankets throughout the night. Despite their small size, they produce significant energy, enough to operate an electric-powered blanket.
5. Is an electric blanket cheaper than a space heater?
Regarding energy consumption, space heaters usually consume more electricity than electric blankets. That is true, depending on their power rating and time they are in use their energy consumption is different. However, assuming that all variables are kept constant, an electric blanket, no matter how much intensity is set, is cheaper than a space heater. Also, from the point of view for some market value, many electric blankets are cheaper than space heaters, though some elaborate space heater designs can be cheaper than electric blankets.
