Winter guide · Warmth
Warm bed, lower bills
An honest look at electric blankets, what they really cost to run, and the bedding that keeps you warm for nothing at all.
Every October the same question comes back: is an electric blanket cheaper than putting the heating on? The short answer is yes, by a long way. The longer answer is that the right bedding may mean you barely need it.
Under the October 2026 price cap, electricity costs around 26.32p per kWh for a typical direct debit customer, according to Uswitch. A typical double electric blanket draws about 150 watts, Ideal Home reports, so the maths is simple.
about 4p
an hour to run a 150W double electric blanket at 26.32p per kWh (0.15kW × 26.32p).
about 2p
to pre-warm your bed for 30 minutes before you get in.
That is a fraction of the cost of heating a bedroom. Used well, an electric blanket is a sensible winter tool. Used carelessly, it is a fire risk. So here is how to use one safely, and how to build a bed that stays warm on its own.
In short
- A 150W electric blanket costs about 4p an hour at October 2026 rates.
- Pre-warm the bed, then switch off and unplug before you get in, unless your blanket is designed for all-night use.
- Replace any blanket over 10 years old, and check it for damage every season.
- Brushed cotton sheets and a layered bed hold your own body heat, at no running cost at all.
Using an electric blanket safely
Fire services across the UK test thousands of blankets every winter, and old or damaged ones are a known cause of house fires. The advice from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is clear:
- Replace your blanket once it is more than 10 years old.
- Before each season, look for fraying, scorch marks, exposed wires and a worn plug. If you find any, stop using it.
- Unplug it before you get into bed, unless it has a thermostat designed for overnight use.
- Keep it flat on the bed. Never use it folded or bunched up.
- Never use it with a hot water bottle.
- Store it flat or rolled, never folded.
- Buy new, from a reputable retailer, with a UKCA or CE mark. Avoid second-hand blankets.
Warm the bed, then switch it off. Let your bedding do the rest.
Electric blanket or better bedding?
Electric blanket
Takes the chill off cold sheets in minutes. Needs careful use, regular checks and replacing every decade.
Brushed cotton sheets
Feel warm the moment you touch them, so the bed never starts cold. Nothing to plug in, nothing to check.
A flat sheet layer
An extra layer between you and the duvet traps warm air. Light, simple and easy to fold back.
A hot water bottle
A classic, but fill it with hot rather than boiling water, replace it when the rubber wears, and never pair it with an electric blanket.
The bed that stays warm on its own
Most of the warmth in a good bed is your own. The job of your bedding is to hold onto it.
Start with brushed cotton
Bella Brushed Cotton is 100% brushed cotton flannelette. Its soft, raised surface feels warm straight away, which is exactly what an electric blanket is trying to do.
Add a flat sheet
A flat sheet under your duvet adds a light layer of trapped air. Tuck it in firmly at the foot of the bed.
Choose a winter-weight duvet
A higher tog in winter does much of the work your heating would. Pull a throw across the bottom third of the bed on the coldest nights.
Keep it all dry
Bedding that is even slightly damp feels cold. Read our guide to drying bedding in winter.
If you love the feel of a pre-warmed bed, combine both: run the blanket for 20 to 30 minutes, switch it off and unplug it, then climb in under brushed cotton. You get the instant warmth for about 2p, and the bedding keeps it there all night.
Always cold at night? You may also like the best sheets for someone who is always cold.
Sheet Story
Warmth that costs nothing to run
Bella Brushed Cotton fitted sheets and pillowcases are soft, warm and OEKO-TEX certified. Free UK delivery on orders over £80.
Shop Bella Brushed Cotton →Questions we are often asked
How much does an electric blanket cost to run in 2026?
At the October 2026 price cap rate of around 26.32p per kWh, a 150W double blanket costs about 4p an hour. A smaller 60 to 70W blanket costs under 2p an hour.
Is it safe to leave an electric blanket on all night?
Only if it has a thermostat designed for overnight use. Otherwise, unplug it before you get into bed, as fire services advise.
How often should I replace an electric blanket?
UK fire services advise replacing it once it is more than 10 years old, or straight away if you spot damage such as fraying, scorch marks or exposed wires.
What bedding keeps you warmest without electricity?
Brushed cotton sheets, a flat sheet layer and a winter-weight duvet. Together they hold your own body heat through the night.
Sources
Every bed tells a Sheet Story
