Martin Lewis and the MoneySavingExpert team recommend “heating the human, not the home” as the ultimate cost-saving strategy this winter. Rather than using an electric space heater, which can cost around 50p per hour to run, Lewis advocates for the use of a targeted personal heating device, such as a hot water bottle, electric blanket and other wearable tech.
While many of the electric blankets we’re familiar with are designed as a bed underblanket, to warm the bed up before you get in, there are others that can be used more flexibly.
Heated throw blankets can be draped over you – and have the added benefit of being machine washable, thanks to their detachable controller. The heat levels can be adjusted, making them a great choice for the coming months as the temperatures gradually drop.
Most importantly, considering the current financial climate, electric blankets are much cheaper to run than a room heater.
Currently on sale in Amazon’s Prime Day sales, the Silentnight Comfort Control Heated Throw Blanket is reduced from £45 to £33.69, making it an even more affordable investment for the season ahead. It comes in six different colours and has nine different heat settings to adjust for your comfort.
Unlike traditional heating systems, electric blankets warm up in minutes, making them even more energy efficient.
Depending on the heat setting you’ve chosen, the wattage of the heated throw blanket varies from 10.5W to 105W. At its lowest level (level 1), the blanket uses 0.015kW per hour. Based on Ofgem’s current energy price cap, the average cost to pay by direct debit is 26.32p per kWh, which would mean that the average cost per hour to use the electric blanket on its lowest level would be 0.28p, about a quarter of a penny.
If you were to run it at its highest level (level 9), you’d spend 2.76p per hour, and if you were using it at an mid level of 5, you’d have to foot a bill for 1.32p per hour.
Top image credit: Getty Images
