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Electric Blanket Running Costs: How Much Does It Really Cost in 2025?

As energy prices continue to rise across Australia, many households are looking for cost-effective ways to stay warm during winter without breaking the bank. Electric blankets have emerged as a popular solution, but how much do they actually cost to run? This comprehensive guide breaks down the real costs of using an electric blanket, compares them to other heating options, and provides practical tips to minimize your energy expenses.

Quick Answer: Average Cost to Run an Electric Blanket

If you are looking for a quick answer, here are the key figures for running an electric blanket in Australia:

 

Per Hour: Approximately 4-5 cents
Per Night (8 hours): Around 32-40 cents
Per Month (daily use): Approximately $9.60-$12.00
Per Season (3 months): Between $20-$48 depending on blanket size

 

These costs are based on average Australian electricity rates of around $0.30-$0.35 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and typical electric blanket wattage of 60-100 watts. Your actual costs may vary depending on your specific electricity tariff, blanket size, and usage patterns.

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How to Calculate Your Electric Blanket Running Costs

Understanding how to calculate your electric blanket's running costs empowers you to make informed decisions about your energy usage. The calculation is straightforward once you know a few key numbers.

Understanding Wattage and Energy Consumption

Electric blankets typically use between 60 and 200 watts of power, depending on their size and heat settings. Most standard models fall in the 60-100 watt range. You can usually find the wattage listed on the product label or in the user manual.

 

Wattage represents the rate of energy consumption. A 100-watt electric blanket uses 100 watts of power for every hour it operates. To convert this to kilowatt-hours (the unit your electricity company uses for billing), divide the wattage by 1,000. So a 100-watt blanket uses 0.1 kWh per hour.

Your Electricity Rate Per kWh

Check your electricity bill to find your rate per kilowatt-hour. In Australia, residential electricity rates vary significantly by state and provider, typically ranging from $0.25 to $0.40 per kWh. For this guide, we will use an average rate of $0.30 per kWh, but you should substitute your actual rate for precise calculations.

Usage Hours Per Day

Consider how many hours per night you actually use your electric blanket. Most people pre-heat their bed for 10-30 minutes before sleep, then either turn the blanket off or leave it on a low setting overnight. For calculation purposes, we will examine both scenarios.

Simple Formula for Calculation

The formula for calculating running costs is:

 

Cost = (Wattage ÷ 1,000) × Hours Used × Electricity Rate

 

Example: A 100-watt electric blanket used for 8 hours at $0.30 per kWh:


Cost = (100 ÷ 1,000) × 8 × $0.30 = 0.1 × 8 × $0.30 = $0.24 per night

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Cost Comparison: Electric Blanket vs Other Heating Options

One of the most compelling reasons to use an electric blanket is the significant cost savings compared to other heating methods. Let us examine how electric blankets stack up against common alternatives.

Electric Blanket vs Central Heating

Central heating systems typically cost between $1.50 and $3.00 per hour to run, depending on the size of your home and the efficiency of your system. Running central heating for an entire night (8 hours) could cost $12 to $24, compared to just $0.32 to $0.40 for an electric blanket.

 

Savings: Using an electric blanket instead of central heating can save you approximately $11.60 to $23.60 per night, or $348 to $708 per month if used daily.

Electric Blanket vs Space Heater

Portable space heaters typically consume 1,500 to 2,000 watts of power, costing approximately 15 cents per hour to run. Over an 8-hour night, a space heater costs around $1.20, which is 3 to 4 times more expensive than an electric blanket.

 

Savings: Choosing an electric blanket over a space heater saves approximately $0.80 to $0.88 per night, or $24 to $26.40 per month.

Electric Blanket vs Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning

Reverse cycle air conditioners are more efficient than traditional heaters but still consume significantly more power than electric blankets. A typical bedroom air conditioner uses 1,000 to 2,500 watts, costing between 30 and 75 cents per hour to run.

 

Savings: An electric blanket costs approximately 90% less to run than air conditioning for bedroom heating.

Cost Savings Summary Table

Heating 

Method

Power 

Consumption

Cost Per 

Hour

Cost Per Night (8 hours)

Monthly Cost (30 nights)

Electric Blanket

60-100W

$0.04-$0.05

$0.32-$0.40

$9.60-$12.00

Space Heater

1,500-2,000W

$0.45-$0.60

$3.60-$4.80

$108-$144

Reverse Cycle AC

1,000-2,500W

$0.30-$0.75

$2.40-$6.00

$72-$180

Central Heating

3,000-6,000W

$1.50-$3.00

$12.00-$24.00

$360-$720
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Factors That Affect Electric Blanket Running Costs

Several variables influence how much your electric blanket actually costs to run. Understanding these factors helps you optimize usage and minimize expenses.

Blanket Size (Single, Double, Queen, King)

Larger blankets require more heating elements and therefore consume more power. A single bed electric blanket typically uses 60-80 watts, while a king-size blanket may use 150-200 watts. According to CHOICE Australia, running a queen-size electric blanket costs approximately $48 per season, compared to around $20 for a single bed blanket.

Heat Settings and Temperature Control

Most electric blankets offer multiple heat settings, typically ranging from 1 to 10. Higher settings consume more power. Using your blanket on setting 3 instead of setting 10 can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%. Many users find that pre-heating on a high setting for 20 minutes, then switching to a low setting or turning it off entirely, provides optimal comfort with minimal cost.

Quality and Energy Efficiency

Modern electric blankets are significantly more energy-efficient than older models. Look for blankets with high energy efficiency ratings and features like auto-shutoff and programmable timers. While these models may cost more upfront, they can reduce running costs by 20-30% over their lifetime.

Usage Patterns and Duration

The biggest variable in your electric blanket costs is how long you actually use it. Pre-heating your bed for 30 minutes before sleep costs just 2-2.5 cents, while leaving it on all night (8 hours) costs 32-40 cents. Strategic usage can dramatically reduce your expenses while maintaining comfort.

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How to Reduce Electric Blanket Running Costs

Even though electric blankets are already economical, you can implement several strategies to reduce costs even further.

Use Timer Functions

Most modern electric blankets include built-in timers. Set your blanket to turn on 30 minutes before bedtime and automatically shut off after 1-2 hours. This ensures a warm bed when you climb in while preventing unnecessary energy consumption throughout the night. This approach can reduce your running costs by up to 75% compared to all-night use.

Lower Heat Settings

Experiment with lower heat settings to find the minimum temperature that keeps you comfortable. Many people discover that setting 3 or 4 provides adequate warmth, using significantly less power than higher settings. Each step down in heat setting typically reduces power consumption by 10-15%.

Pre-Heat and Turn Off

One of the most effective cost-saving strategies is to pre-heat your bed for 20-30 minutes on a high setting, then turn the blanket off before getting into bed. The trapped warmth under your doona, combined with your body heat, typically keeps you comfortable all night. This method costs just 1.5-2.5 cents per night.

Combine with Other Bedding

Layer your electric blanket with quality duvets, blankets, and warm sheets to trap heat more effectively. Better insulation means you can use lower heat settings or shorter pre-heating times, reducing energy consumption while maintaining comfort.

Choose Energy-Efficient Models

When purchasing a new electric blanket, look for models with high energy efficiency ratings, low wattage consumption, and smart features like auto-shutoff and programmable timers. While these may cost $20-50 more initially, they can save you money over the blanket's 10-year lifespan.

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Are Electric Blankets Cheaper Than Heating Your Bedroom?

The short answer is yes, electric blankets are significantly cheaper than heating your entire bedroom. Let us examine the numbers in detail.

Room Heating Costs vs Electric Blanket

Heating a typical bedroom (12-15 square meters) with a space heater or air conditioner costs between $2.40 and $6.00 per night. In contrast, an electric blanket costs just $0.32 to $0.40 per night. Over a three-month winter season (90 nights), this translates to:

 

Room Heating: $216 to $540 per season
Electric Blanket: $28.80 to $36.00 per season
Savings: $187.20 to $504.00 per season

Environmental Impact Comparison

Beyond cost savings, electric blankets also have a significantly lower environmental impact. A typical electric blanket produces approximately 5-8 kg of CO2 emissions per winter season, compared to 150-400 kg for room heating methods. For environmentally conscious Australians, this represents a substantial reduction in your carbon footprint.

Comfort and Efficiency Analysis

Electric blankets provide targeted warmth exactly where you need it—in your bed. Room heaters warm the entire space, including areas you are not using, which is inherently inefficient. Additionally, electric blankets create a cozy microclimate under your bedding that many people find more comfortable than a warm room with cold bedding.

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Best Energy-Efficient Electric Blankets in Australia

When shopping for an electric blanket, certain features indicate superior energy efficiency and lower running costs.

Features to Look For

Low Wattage: Choose blankets with 60-100 watts for singles and doubles, or 100-150 watts for queen and king sizes. Lower wattage means lower running costs without sacrificing comfort.

 

Programmable Timers: Built-in timers allow you to set automatic shutoff times, preventing wasteful all-night operation.

 

Multiple Heat Settings: More heat settings (typically 6-10 options) provide finer control, allowing you to use the minimum power necessary for comfort.

 

Auto-Shutoff: Safety features that automatically turn off the blanket after a set period (usually 1-3 hours) also save energy.

 

Dual Controls: For couples, dual-control blankets allow each person to heat only their side of the bed, potentially halving energy consumption if one partner does not need warmth.

Comfort and Efficiency Analysis

Look for electric blankets that meet Australian energy efficiency standards (AS/NZS 60335.2.17:2012). While electric blankets do not carry traditional Energy Star ratings, this safety certification ensures the product meets modern efficiency benchmarks.

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Real-World Cost Examples

Let us examine some practical scenarios to illustrate actual running costs.

Single Person, 8 Hours/Night Usage

Scenario: Sarah uses a 75-watt single electric blanket on setting 5 for 8 hours every night during winter.

 

Calculation: (75 ÷ 1,000) × 8 × $0.30 = $0.18 per night
Monthly Cost: $0.18 × 30 = $5.40
Seasonal Cost (3 months): $5.40 × 3 = $16.20

Couple with Dual-Control Blanket

Scenario: Mark and Lisa use a 150-watt queen-size dual-control blanket. Mark uses his side for 8 hours on setting 3, while Lisa pre-heats her side for 30 minutes on setting 8, then turns it off.

 

Mark's Cost: (75 ÷ 1,000) × 8 × $0.30 × 0.5 (lower setting) = $0.09 per night
Lisa's Cost: (75 ÷ 1,000) × 0.5 × $0.30 = $0.01 per night
Combined Cost: $0.10 per night
Monthly Cost: $3.00
Seasonal Cost: $9.00

Occasional Use (3-4 Hours/Night)

Scenario: James uses a 100-watt double electric blanket to pre-heat his bed for 30 minutes, then leaves it on low (setting 2) for 3 hours while he sleeps.

 

Calculation: [(100 ÷ 1,000) × 0.5 × $0.30] + [(100 ÷ 1,000) × 3 × $0.30 × 0.3] = $0.015 + $0.027 = $0.042 per night
Monthly Cost: $1.26
Seasonal Cost: $3.78

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do electric blankets use a lot of electricity?

No, electric blankets are one of the most energy-efficient heating options available. They typically use between 60-100 watts, which translates to just 4-5 cents per hour of operation. This is significantly less than space heaters (15 cents/hour) or central heating ($1.50-$3.00/hour).

Is it cheaper to use an electric blanket or heater?

Electric blankets are substantially cheaper to run than heaters. An electric blanket costs approximately $0.32-$0.40 per night, while a space heater costs around $3.60-$4.80 per night for the same duration. You can save approximately $3.20-$4.40 per night by choosing an electric blanket over a space heater.

How much does it cost to run an electric blanket all night?

Running an electric blanket all night (8 hours) costs between $0.32 and $0.40 for a standard 60-100 watt model, based on average Australian electricity rates of $0.30-$0.35 per kWh. Larger blankets or higher heat settings may cost slightly more.

Do electric blankets increase your power bill significantly?

No, electric blankets have minimal impact on your power bill. Using an electric blanket daily for an entire winter season (3 months) typically adds just $20-$48 to your electricity bill, depending on blanket size and usage patterns. This is far less than the cost of alternative heating methods.
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Conclusion

Electric blankets represent one of the most cost-effective and energy-efficient ways to stay warm during Australian winters. With running costs of just 4-5 cents per hour and seasonal costs ranging from $20 to $48, they offer substantial savings compared to space heaters, air conditioning, and central heating systems.

 

By understanding how to calculate your specific running costs and implementing smart usage strategies like pre-heating, using timers, and selecting appropriate heat settings, you can minimize expenses even further while maintaining optimal comfort. The combination of low operating costs, environmental benefits, and targeted warmth makes electric blankets an excellent choice for budget-conscious households.

 

When shopping for an electric blanket, prioritize energy-efficient models with programmable timers and multiple heat settings. While these may cost slightly more upfront, the energy savings over the blanket's 10-year lifespan more than justify the investment.

 

Stay warm this winter without the worry of high energy bills. Explore AdoreEarth's range of energy-efficient electric blankets designed for Australian homes.

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