How much does an electric blanket cost to run?
A typical electric blanket costs about 15.8p per night to run. At 7 nights a week that is £1.11 a week, or £57.48 a year, based on 75 W for 8 hours (0.60 kWh) at 26.32p per kWh.
Adjust for your electric blanket
Worked example
75 W is 0.075 kW. Running for 8 hours uses 0.075 × 8 = 0.60 kWh. At 26.32p per kWh that costs 15.8p.
Seven nights a week comes to £57.48 a year. Using it only to pre-heat the bed for an hour a night, then switching off, would cost about an eighth of that.
How to cut the cost
Pre-heat the bed for 30 to 60 minutes, then turn the blanket down or off if the maker says it is for pre-warming only. Some underblankets are designed to stay on all night, so check the label, and replace any blanket that is old, scorched or has frayed wiring.
Questions
Is an electric blanket cheaper than heating the bedroom?
Usually, yes. Warming one bed with a blanket draws around a tenth of the power of a 1 kW heater, so it suits a cold night when you do not need to heat the whole room.
Is it safe to leave an electric blanket on all night?
It depends on the blanket. Some underblankets are made to stay on overnight, while many overblankets are for pre-warming only. Follow the label and manual, and replace blankets that show wear.
Other appliances
Electricity rate: Ofgem energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026, Great Britain average, Direct Debit, default tariff: 26.32p per kWh. Your own tariff and region may differ, so change the rate above to match your bill. Appliance figures are typical estimates; your appliance's energy label or manual is more accurate. Last checked 2026-11-03. Next review: January 2027, when Ofgem announces the next quarter's cap.