APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does an electric blanket cost to run?
Electric blankets use a small fraction of a heater’s power because they warm you, not the room. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, an electric blanket costs about 3.9p an hour at full power, or 3.9p for a typical 1-hour night.
PER HOUR
3.9pat 150 W, full powerPER NIGHT
3.9p0.15 kWh over 1 hourPER WEEK
28p7 nights a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£1455 kWh at the assumed useWork out your own cost
Choose your region or type in your own unit rate, then change the wattage and hours to match your appliance and how you use it. It starts with a week at our assumed use, averaged to hours a day.
1.1 kWh over 7 days · about £0.04 a day
How much electricity it uses
- Silentnight says electric blankets, including singles, use between 100 and 150 watts.
- Larger dual-control models can be higher: a super king Dreamland Sherpa underblanket is listed at 300 W.
| Example | Rated power | Per hour | Per night | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | 100 W | 2.6p | 2.6p | £10 |
| Typical | 150 W | 3.9p | 3.9p | £14 |
| Higher | 300 W | 7.9p | 7.9p | £29 |
Usage assumption: One hour a night at full power, for example to warm the bed before getting in. This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Bed size and dual controls.
- Heat setting and how long it stays on.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric blanket | 1 night, 1 hour | 0.15 kWh | 3.9p |
| Electric fan heater | 1 evening, 2 hours | 4.00 kWh | £1.05 |
| Oil-filled radiator | 1 evening, 3 hours | 6.00 kWh | £1.58 |
Ways to spend less
- Using the blanket to warm the bed for a short time, then switching it off or to a low setting, keeps the cost down.
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. See every region’s rate →
Questions
How much does an electric blanket cost to run per hour?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), an electric blanket rated at 150 W costs about 3.9p an hour at full power. Models from 100 W to 300 W cost 2.6p to 7.9p an hour.
How much does an electric blanket cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is one hour a night at full power, for example to warm the bed before getting in. At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £14 a year (55 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
Is an electric blanket cheaper than putting the heating on?
For warming a bed, yes: an hour at 150 W uses 0.15 kWh, against 2 kWh for an hour of a 2 kW heater. It does not heat the room, though.
Does the cost depend on where I live?
Yes, a little. Price-cap electricity unit rates for October–December 2026 range from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Pick your region in the calculator, or enter the unit rate from your bill if you are on a fixed or time-of-use tariff.
About these figures
Running costs are energy used × unit rate. They exclude the daily standing charge, which you pay whether or not the appliance runs. Costs per hour assume the appliance draws its full rated power the whole time; many appliances cycle on and off, so real use is often lower. Power ratings and energy figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.
Other 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.
- 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 →