Is It Cheaper To Heat A Room Or Use Electric Blanket?

With rising energy costs, many people are looking for ways to save money on home heating. Electric blankets and space heaters are two popular options for providing warmth and comfort without running up your energy bill. This article provides a detailed cost comparison of using an electric blanket versus heating an entire room with a space heater. We’ll look at the operating costs, upfront purchase prices, ongoing maintenance, and environmental impact of each option. Lifestyle factors like convenience and safety will also be considered. By the end, you’ll have the information you need to decide whether an electric blanket or space heater is the more cost-effective and sensible choice for your needs.

How Electric Blankets Work

Electric blankets contain wires that run through the fabric of the blanket. When plugged in and turned on, an electric current runs through these wires, generating heat. The heat is transferred to the sleeper’s body through the fabric of the blanket, warming the person rather than heating the entire room.

The amount of heat produced can be adjusted via a control unit on the electric blanket. This unit pulses the current on and off to regulate the temperature. Dual-control electric blankets allow each side of the bed to be customized for individual comfort.

Electric blankets are designed to heat the person, not warm the room. The localized heat keeps the sleeper cozy without having to increase the thermostat temperature. According to Wikipedia, “Electric blankets usually have a control unit that adjusts the amount of heat the blanket produces by pulsing current at different intervals.” This allows the blanket to provide customized warming right where it’s needed.

Cost to Run an Electric Blanket

The cost to run an electric blanket depends primarily on the wattage rating and the number of hours it is used. Most electric blankets range from 100-200 watts. Using a 200 watt electric blanket for 10 hours would consume 2 kilowatt-hours of electricity. At an average utility rate of $0.13 per kWh, this would cost around $0.26 to run for 10 hours.

So the operating cost is quite low, usually just pennies per hour for a typical electric blanket. For example, a Sunbeam microplush heated throw blanket is rated at 25 watts on low setting. Used for 8 hours this would consume 0.2 kWh costing around $0.03. Even running it continuously for a full day would only add up to $0.18.

Some energy saving tips are to preheat the bed before going to sleep, then turn it off or on a lower setting overnight. Also look for low wattage electric blankets, ideally around 100 watts or less. This makes them very economical to operate daily.

Cost to Heat a Room

The cost to heat a room depends on several factors like room size, heating system type, insulation, and climate. According to CNET, space heaters can cost around 20 cents per hour to run, which is much cheaper than central heating for most homes.

For example, a medium-sized bedroom of 12×12 ft with average insulation in a cold climate could cost $1-2 per day to heat with a 1,500W space heater running 6 hours per day. Larger rooms, poor insulation, and colder climates will increase costs. Electric baseboard heating can cost $30-50 per month for a single room. Forced air heating can range from $80-150+ per month for an entire house depending on size and insulation.

Climate is a major factor. Heating a room in Alaska costs much more than Arizona. Well-insulated rooms retain heat better, reducing costs. Smaller rooms also require less energy to heat than large spaces. In summary, heating costs depend on many variables but electric space heaters provide an affordable option for one room.

Operating Cost Comparison

When looking at the operating costs of electric blankets versus heating an entire room, the
electric blanket is clearly the more affordable option. According to Sleep Advisor, an electric blanket costs on average between $.01 and $.04 per hour to run, while a space heater can cost $0.10 to $0.30 per hour to operate (https://www.sleepadvisor.org/electric-blanket-vs-space-heater/).

To put some actual numbers to it, let’s assume a typical electric blanket uses around 100 watts of power. Running it for 8 hours through the night would use 0.8 kWh of electricity. At an average electricity rate of $0.15 per kWh, that’s $0.12 per night to run the blanket. To heat a 10×10 ft room for 8 hours with a 1500 watt space heater would take 12 kWh, costing around $1.80 at that same electricity rate.

Clearly, running an electric blanket is significantly cheaper than running a space heater to heat an entire room. The energy savings of using a heated blanket instead of central heating or a space heater are substantial over the course of a winter.

Upfront Costs

The upfront cost of an electric blanket is typically between $20-$150 depending on size and features according to Sleep Advisor. Basic electric blankets without advanced heating features or dual temperature zones can be purchased for under $50. Higher-end electric blankets with more features tend to cost $100-$150.

In comparison, installing or upgrading a home heating system is a major expense. The average cost to install a new furnace and central air conditioning system is $5,613 according to HomeAdvisor. Replacing just the furnace costs around $4,821 on average. Upgrading an old heating system to a newer, more energy efficient model can cost $2,500-$5,000+. For renters who can’t make major upgrades, portable space heaters typically cost $25-$150 depending on the type and size.

So the upfront cost of an electric blanket is significantly lower than installing a new heating system or using portable heaters to warm a room. The blanket is an inexpensive solution for supplemental heating that works out to just a few dollars per month in electricity costs.

Ongoing Maintenance

To keep electric blankets working properly and safely over time, some maintenance is required. Electric blankets should be cleaned regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually every month or two of use. This keeps the heating wires and controls free of dust, dirt, and debris. Use a mild detergent and wash on a gentle cycle. Always allow blankets to fully dry before using again. Inspect blankets periodically for wear, fraying, or exposed wires and discontinue use if any issues are found.

Heating systems also require regular maintenance. Forced air furnaces and boilers should be serviced once a year by an HVAC professional. They will inspect components, clean parts, check for leaks or corrosion, and confirm proper operation. Neglecting annual furnace maintenance can lead to more expensive repairs down the road. Air filters should also be changed every 1-3 months to keep the system running efficiently. Properly maintaining heating equipment helps ensure it operates safely and minimizes energy costs over time.

Environmental Impact

When comparing the environmental impact of heating a room vs using an electric blanket, it’s important to consider the energy sources used. Most home heating relies on either electricity or gas. Gas heating tends to have a lower carbon footprint than electric heating since the majority of electricity generation relies on fossil fuels whereas gas can be sourced from renewable natural gas.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, natural gas emits 117 pounds of CO2 per million British thermal units (BTUs) while electricity emits 1024 pounds per million BTUs across the U.S. Electric blankets rely solely on electricity so have a higher carbon footprint for the energy they use versus gas furnaces or boilers.

However, blankets only heat a small area and the person using them rather than an entire room. This can lead to significant energy savings compared to heating an unused space. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates you can reduce heating costs 8-10% per year by turning down the heat while sleeping under an electric blanket.

Lifestyle Factors

When choosing between an electric blanket or heating a room, there are some lifestyle factors to consider such as mobility, pets, and allergies. According to this source, electric blankets allow for more mobility around a room since you don’t need to stay near a centralized heat source. They are also safer for pets who could accidentally knock over a space heater. However, space heaters heat the entire room which is better for those with allergies since dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments like beds.

For those with limited mobility, electric blankets allow you to stay warm in bed without having to get up to adjust the thermostat. The heat is focused directly on you. However, for those who move around frequently, heating the entire room may make more sense. Overall, lifestyle factors like allergies, pets, and mobility should be considered when deciding between an electric blanket or heating the full room.

Conclusion

To summarize, when looking strictly at energy costs, using an electric blanket is generally cheaper than heating an entire room. Electric blankets only use about 100 watts of power, costing less than a dollar per night to run. In contrast, heating a room can use 500-1500 watts and cost $2-5 per night depending on the room size, insulation, and outside temperature. However, upfront costs may be higher for electric blankets and they require proper maintenance to operate safely. There are also lifestyle factors to consider, as some people may prefer the comfort and ambiance of a warm room. Environmental impact should also be weighed, as electric blankets are often more efficient but room heating can utilize renewable energy sources in some cases. In the end, electric blankets tend to provide cheaper, localized warmth but heating a room may better suit some people’s preferences and situations.