How Much Does It Cost to Run an electric blanket?
A typical electric blanket uses about 100 watts, which costs about $0.02 per hour. Used 8 hours a day, that is $0.14 per day, $4 per month and about $53 per year at the US average of about 18 cents per kWh. Change the numbers below for your own model and rate.
Typical estimate: 8 hours a night on a medium setting. These are typical estimates – check your own label or use a plug-in meter for exact figures.
Electric blanket running cost by electricity rate
Rates vary widely across the country. $0.12 is typical of low-cost areas, $0.18 is about the national average, and $0.25–$0.35 or more is common in high-cost areas such as parts of California, New England and Hawaii.
| Rate per kWh | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0.12 | $0.012 | $0.10 | $2.92 | $35 |
| $0.18 | $0.018 | $0.14 | $4.38 | $53 |
| $0.25 | $0.025 | $0.20 | $6.08 | $73 |
| $0.35 | $0.035 | $0.28 | $8.52 | $102 |
Based on 100 W for 8 h/day; month = 30.42 days.
Cost by hours of use per day
| Hours per day | kWh per month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 h | 12 | $0.07 | $2.19 | $26 |
| 8 h | 24 | $0.14 | $4.38 | $53 |
| 10 h | 30 | $0.18 | $5.48 | $66 |
At 18 cents per kWh and 100 W.
Low, typical and high wattage
A queen or twin blanket draws roughly 60–100 W on a high setting, and less once the thermostat in the controller cycles it off.
| Case | Watts | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 60 | $0.011 | $2.63 | $32 |
| Typical | 100 | $0.018 | $4.38 | $53 |
| High | 200 | $0.036 | $8.76 | $105 |
At 8 h/day and 18 cents per kWh.
How it is calculated
100 W × 8 h ÷ 1,000 = 0.8 kWh per day
0.8 kWh × $0.18 = $0.14 per day
$0.14 × 30.42 days = $4.38 per month
How to cut the cost of running an electric blanket
- Preheat the bed for 15–30 minutes and then turn it down or off – the bedding holds heat once you are under it.
- Use the lowest setting that keeps you comfortable and pair with a thicker duvet instead of cranking the controller.
- Choose a dual-control model for two people so the warmer sleeper can run a lower setting.
- A blanket warms you for pennies compared with a 1,500 W space heater or raising the whole-house thermostat.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an electric blanket per month?
At 18 cents per kWh, a typical 100 W electric blanket used 8 hours a day costs about $4.38 per month (24 kWh). That is about $53 a year.
How much does it cost to run an electric blanket per hour?
About $0.018 per hour at 18 cents per kWh, or $0.035 per hour if you pay 35 cents per kWh. Multiply by your hours of use to estimate any day.
Why does the cost of an electric blanket vary so much?
Wattage varies by model and setting – from 60 W to 200 W here. At the same 8 hours a day and 18 cents per kWh, that is $3 to $9 per month. Your electricity rate matters just as much: at 35 cents per kWh the typical unit costs $9 per month.