APPLIANCE COMPARISON · OCT–DEC 2026
Electric blanket vs electric fan heater: which costs less to run?
At 26.32p per kWh, an electric blanket costs about 3.9p per hour and an electric fan heater about 53p per hour at full power, so the electric fan heater costs 13 times as much.
ELECTRIC BLANKET · CHEAPER
3.9pper hour at 150 WELECTRIC FAN HEATER
53pper hour at 2,000 WDIFFERENCE
49pper hour at 26.32p per kWhSide by side
| Measure | Electric blanket | Electric fan heater |
|---|---|---|
| Rated power | 150 W | 2,000 W |
| Cost per hour at full power | 3.9p | 53p |
| One typical use | 1 night, 1 hour | 1 evening, 2 hours |
| Cost per use | 3.9p (0.15 kWh) | £1.05 (4.00 kWh) |
| Assumed use a week | 7 nights | 7 evenings |
| Cost a year at that use | £14 | £384 |
Usage assumptions: Electric blanket: One hour a night at full power, for example to warm the bed before getting in.Electric fan heater: Two hours a day on the 2 kW setting.These are illustrations, not measured averages.
What the difference means for keeping warm
An electric blanket warms you rather than the room, so it draws a small fraction of a heater’s power: 100 to 150 W for most blankets, against about 2,000 W for a typical fan heater on full.
The yearly figures above use different hours for each appliance, so compare the hourly cost for the same length of use.
Work out your own costs
Each appliance page has a calculator: enter your own wattage or energy label figure, how long you use it, and your region or unit rate.
Unit rates vary by region: this period they run from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Electricity prices per kWh →
Questions
Is an electric blanket cheaper to run than an electric fan heater?
Yes, per hour at full power. At 26.32p per kWh, an electric blanket costs about 3.9p per hour and an electric fan heater about 53p per hour at full power, so the electric fan heater costs 13 times as much. An electric blanket warms you rather than the room, so it draws a small fraction of a heater’s power: 100 to 150 W for most blankets, against about 2,000 W for a typical fan heater on full.
How much do they cost a year?
At the usage each page assumes, about £14 a year for an electric blanket and £384 for an electric fan heater (October–December 2026 GB average rate). For an electric blanket: one hour a night at full power, for example to warm the bed before getting in. For an electric fan heater: two hours a day on the 2 kW setting.
Does where I live change which is cheaper?
No. Both run on electricity, so a higher or lower unit rate changes both costs in the same proportion. The cheaper appliance stays cheaper; only the pence change. Your region, tariff and how long you run each appliance change the actual amounts.
About these figures
Running cost is energy used × unit rate. Costs at full power assume the appliance draws its full rating the whole time; thermostats and programmes often switch elements on and off, so real use can be lower. Power ratings and energy label figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.
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- All appliances →
Sources
- Silentnight: single electric blankets ↗Electric blankets use between 100 and 150 watts.
- John Lewis: Dreamland Sherpa electric underblanket (super king, MPN 16698) ↗300 W, super king, dual control.
- Dimplex flat fan heater 2kW ↗2,000 W with two heat settings.
- Igenix IG9022 2kW fan heater user manual (PDF) ↗Low 1,200 W, high 2,000 W.
- Energy Saving Trust: electric heating ↗Running costs of portable electric heaters compared with main heating.
- Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB average electricity unit rate and VAT basis, October–December 2026.
Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →