Electric blankets could be ‘significantly cheaper’ option to keep warm

With energy bills reaching record-breaking figures, households across the country are searching for ways to slash costs. One way suggested to tackle this is to invest in an electric blanket instead of running the central heating overnight, but how much cheaper is it?

With an increasing number expected to face ‘fuel poverty’  this winter, campaigns, such as Money Saving Expert’s ‘Heat the human not the home’ are on the rise, in a bid to help people cut down on central heating usage deemed as one of the highest contributors to energy bills.

In October, Google searches for ‘electric blankets’ spiked by 1,205 percent compared to the average over the past five years, reflecting the surge in interest amid soaring energy prices.

James Haynes, branch manager at A-Plan Insurance, commented: “The UK has already dealt with skyrocketing bills over the past few months due to inflation and the soaring costs of wholesale oil. Now, we’re having to face the stark reality of the energy price increase in October.

“‘Electric blankets’ seeing a peak in searches compared to the past five years shows that many Britons are seeking ways to save money before the colder months hit.”

READ MORE: Britons should wash their hair ‘at night’ to save hundreds on bills

Sleepseeker experts commented: “This is obviously significantly cheaper than having your central heating on all night, and for a smaller 50W or 60W blanket, you’re looking at even less.”

However, for those looking to save as much energy as possible while running an electric blanket, there are a few simple things to keep in mind.

• Timer: Many electric blankets come with a timer, which is a great way to save energy. People can simply set it to turn off after a set period, so it’s not left running all night.
• Variable power and heat settings: With a variable temperature setting, people can use just enough to stay warm and increase or decrease it as needed, instead of keeping it on high.
• Prepare in advance: Preheat the blanket – rather than blasting it on a high heat before getting into bed, put it on a low heat further in advance to use less power.
• Stay low and add heat when needed: Start using the electric blanket on low heat and if needed, give it a slight increase for a short period of time.