Cost to run

How much does an electric blanket cost per night?

Electric blankets warm people directly instead of heating a whole room, which keeps their draw low. A typical queen blanket uses less power in a full night than a space heater uses in fifteen minutes.

Reviewed 2026-07-15 · methodology appliance-energy-1.0.0 · data vintage 2026-04-ytd

Example costs using the Texas state-average rate

These are generated examples for a consistent location. Enter your own ZIP and usage below for a more relevant state-average estimate.

Scenario	Assumption	kWh/month	Monthly range	Most likely/year
Preheat only	1 hour to warm the bed before sleep	4.05	$0.43–$0.96	$7.92
All night on low	8 hours with the thermostat cycling on a low setting	14.40	$1.53–$3.42	$28.17
All night on high	8 hours on a high setting in a cold bedroom	30.24	$3.22–$7.19	$59.16

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.B. Data vintage 2026-04-ytd. State-average pricing is not your exact utility tariff.

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Rated watts (from the appliance label)Duty cycle (0–1; share of time drawing full power)Days per month

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Warming a person beats warming a room

Because the blanket delivers heat within an insulated bed, a hundred-odd watts accomplishes what a fifteen-hundred-watt heater does for the same sleeper in an open room. That is why the preheat-then-sleep pattern is among the cheapest comfort strategies in winter.

Settings change the duty cycle, not the watts

Most controllers cycle the heating wires on and off rather than varying power continuously. A low setting might energize the wires under half the time, which in this calculator maps directly onto a smaller duty-cycle value at the same rated watts.

Safety and scope notes for heated bedding

This estimate covers electricity only. Follow the manufacturer's guidance on bunching, older blankets, and use with children or people with reduced heat sensitivity; this page does not evaluate the safety of any particular product or wiring condition.

Frequently asked questions

Can an electric blanket lower my heating bill?

It can if it lets you set the bedroom thermostat several degrees lower overnight. The blanket adds a small cost while the furnace or heat pump saves a larger one.

Do dual-control blankets double the cost?

Each side has its own element and controller, so two active sides draw more than one, but total wattage is still modest compared with room heating.

Is it safe to run an electric blanket all night?

Many modern blankets have timers and overheat protection designed for overnight use, but follow your model's instructions. This page estimates cost and does not certify safety.

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