How Much Does It Cost to Run a Electric Blanket?
A typical Electric Blanket uses 200W and runs about 8 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $8.03/month.
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What Affects the Cost of Running a Electric Blanket
An Electric Blanket Costs 90% Less Than Heating the Room
A 200W electric blanket on medium setting running 8 hours overnight costs about $0.27 at the national average rate. A 1,500W space heater running the same 8 hours costs $2.01. The blanket heats you directly rather than the air, which is why it uses so much less energy. If your primary complaint is being cold in bed, an electric blanket is the most cost-effective solution by far.
Use It to Pre-Warm, Then Turn Down or Off
The most energy-efficient approach is to turn the blanket to high for 15-20 minutes before bed, then switch to low or off after getting in. Your body heat plus the insulation of the blanket and bedding maintain warmth. Running on low (75-100W) all night costs about $0.10-$0.13. On high (200-400W) all night costs $0.27-$0.53.
Electric Blanket vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Electric Blanket compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Blanket (this page) | $8.03 | At national average rate, 8hrs/day |
| Space heater (bedroom) | ~$15-30 | Heats the entire room. 10-15x more expensive than a blanket for sleeping warmth. |
| Heated mattress pad | ~$3-6 | Similar to electric blanket. Heats from below instead of above. |
| Extra comforter (no electricity) | $0 | Free but does not generate heat. Depends on room temperature. |
| Turning up central heat at night | ~$20-50 | Heats the whole house. Far more expensive than heating your bed. |
Electric Blanket Cost by State
What a Electric Blanket costs to run at 200W for 8 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $7.11 | $85.36 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $12.16 | $145.96 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $6.63 | $79.55 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $6.06 | $72.75 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $15.08 | $180.92 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $7.32 | $87.78 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $14.09 | $169.06 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $7.32 | $87.78 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $7.62 | $91.41 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $7.5 | $90.03 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $6.78 | $81.33 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $20.74 | $248.89 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $5.22 | $62.61 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $7.86 | $94.29 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $7.26 | $87.09 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $6.83 | $81.96 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $7.19 | $86.28 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $6.18 | $74.13 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $5.75 | $69 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $10.98 | $131.73 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $7.74 | $92.85 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $13.8 | $165.66 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $9 | $108.06 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $7.36 | $88.36 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $6.6 | $79.26 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $6.3 | $75.57 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $5.98 | $71.71 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $5.75 | $69 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $7.21 | $86.57 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $12.16 | $145.96 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $9 | $108.06 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $7.14 | $85.65 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $10.98 | $131.73 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $6.71 | $80.52 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $5.7 | $68.37 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $7.36 | $88.36 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $5.75 | $69 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $6.3 | $75.57 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $8.1 | $97.17 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $13.02 | $156.21 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $7.19 | $86.28 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $6.6 | $79.26 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $6.18 | $74.13 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $7.19 | $86.28 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $5.22 | $62.61 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $10.24 | $122.92 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $7.36 | $88.36 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $5.16 | $61.98 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $6.3 | $75.57 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $8.15 | $97.8 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $5.39 | $64.68 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Electric Blanket
- Use to pre-warm the bed, then turn off or down for sleeping
- An electric blanket uses far less energy than heating a whole room overnight
- The low setting uses roughly half the wattage of the high setting
- Replace if wires feel lumpy or the blanket heats unevenly; that is a safety risk
Frequently Asked Questions
On low setting (75-100W) for 8 hours: about $0.10-$0.13. On medium (200W): about $0.27. On high (400W): about $0.53. Over a 5-month winter season, nightly use on medium costs about $40. Compare that to a space heater at $300+ for the same period, and the electric blanket saves $250+.
Modern electric blankets with UL certification, auto-shutoff timers (typically 10 hours), and overheat protection are designed for overnight use. Follow the manufacturer's instructions: do not fold or bunch the blanket while in use, do not place heavy items on top of it, and replace it if the wires feel lumpy or the blanket heats unevenly. Never use an electric blanket with visible damage to the cord or heating elements.
For sleeping, absolutely yes. An electric blanket provides personal warmth at 90% less electricity cost than heating the room. For waking hours, a blanket on the couch works too, but you may still want the room itself to be comfortable for moving around. The ideal combination: electric blanket for sleeping, thermostat set lower (62-65F instead of 68-70F) to save on heating the whole house overnight.
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Electricity cost estimates are based on typical wattage and average residential rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Your actual costs may vary based on your appliance's specific wattage, usage patterns, and your utility's rate structure. See our full disclaimer.