How Much Does It Cost to Run a Electric blanket in the UK?
Last updated 5 October 2026 · Prices based on the Ofgem price cap (October 2026 – December 2026)
An electric blanket is one of the cheapest ways to stay warm in winter. Most use between 60W and 150W and only need to run for an hour or so to warm the bed, so a whole winter of use costs less than a single week of running a 2kW heater.
Appliance running cost calculator
A 100W electric blanket running 1 hours a day costs about £0.03 per day (£9.58 a year) at 26.32p/kWh.
- Per hour
- £0.03
- Per day
- £0.03
- Per week
- £0.18
- Per month
- £0.80
- Per year
- £9.58
- kWh per year
- 36
Based on 100W ÷ 1,000 × 1h × 26.32p/kWh. Standing charge not included.
- Electric heater£958
- Immersion heater£575
- Oil-filled radiator£503
- Fan heater£383
- Electric shower£155
- Dehumidifier£153
- Tumble dryer£137
- Fridge freezer£114
- Electric oven£99
- Dishwasher£92
- Heated airer£74
- Kettle£57
- Washing machine£55
- Air fryer£51
- Slow cooker£44
- Electric blanket£10
Electric blanket running cost by wattage and time (at 26.32p/kWh)
| Wattage | 30 min | 1 hr | 2 hrs | 8 hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60W | £0.01 | £0.02 | £0.03 | £0.13 |
| 100W | £0.01 | £0.03 | £0.05 | £0.21 |
| 150W | £0.02 | £0.04 | £0.08 | £0.32 |
| 200W | £0.03 | £0.05 | £0.11 | £0.42 |
Typical electric blanket cost per day, month and year
| Period | Energy used | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | 0.10 kWh | £0.03 |
| Per day | 0.10 kWh | £0.03 |
| Per month | 3.0 kWh | £0.80 |
| Per year | 36 kWh | £9.58 |
What affects the cost
Wattage
Single blankets use around 60W, king-size dual-control up to 200W.
Setting
Low settings draw a fraction of the maximum.
Run time
Pre-heating is cheaper than all-night use.
Bed insulation
A good duvet keeps the warmth in.
Cheaper alternatives to a electric blanket
• Heated throw for the sofa (similar cost) • Hot water bottle — the cost of boiling a kettle • Thicker tog duvet • Thermal bedding
How to reduce the cost
- Pre-heat the bed for 30 minutes, then switch off or to low
- Use a model with an auto-off timer
- Check the cable and controller every winter
- Replace blankets older than 10 years
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electric blanket cost per hour in the UK?
About £0.03 per hour for a 100W model at 26.32p/kWh.
How do I work out what my electric blanket costs to run?
Divide the wattage by 1,000 to get kW, multiply by the hours used, then multiply by your unit rate in pence. Our calculator above does this for you.
Is it cheaper to use an electric blanket than heating?
Yes. A 100W blanket for an hour costs about £0.03, while heating a bedroom with a 2kW heater for the same hour costs £0.53.
Is it safe to leave an electric blanket on all night?
Only if the manufacturer says it is designed for all-night use on its lowest setting. Most should be switched off before you sleep.
Does the standing charge affect appliance running costs?
No. The electricity standing charge is a fixed daily fee you pay whether or not the appliance is on, so it is excluded from these figures.
Sources and methodology
Energy prices come from the Ofgem price cap for Direct Debit customers (GB average). Installation costs are typical UK ranges from installer quotes and industry guidance, rounded. Savings use today's rates and do not predict future prices.