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Heating a whole house to keep one person warm on the couch is expensive. A heated blanket uses 50 to 200 watts, about a tenth of a space heater, and puts the heat exactly where you are. Turn the thermostat down 4°F at night, use a heated pad, and you’ll notice it on the bill.
Pad or blanket
A heated mattress pad goes under the fitted sheet and warms the bed from below. It’s the better choice for sleeping: heat rises through you, and dual controls mean each side can pick its own setting. Warm the bed for 20 minutes before you get in, then turn it down or off.
A heated throw is for the couch or a reading chair. Look for an automatic shutoff after a few hours, so it doesn’t run all night if you fall asleep.
A foot warmer under a desk is the cheapest way to stay comfortable in a cold home office.
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Warms the bed from below, with a separate control for each side.
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A heated throw for the couch, with an auto shutoff after a few hours.
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A heated pocket for cold feet under a desk. Uses a fraction of a space heater's power.
Check price on Amazon: [Product name] (opens in a new tab)What it costs to run
At 100 watts, a blanket on for 8 hours uses 0.8 kWh. At about 17 cents per kWh, that’s roughly 14 cents a night.
Safety, every time
- Choose one with overheat protection and an automatic shutoff, and a safety certification mark (UL or ETL).
- Don’t fold, bunch or tuck it in while it’s on. Folded wires overheat.
- Never use one for an infant, a small child, or anyone who can’t switch it off or feel heat properly.
- Don’t put anything heavy on top, and don’t use it on a waterbed or adjustable bed unless the maker says so.
- Check the cord every fall. Replace a blanket with a frayed cord, scorch marks, or one that’s more than 10 years old.