How much does an electric blanket cost to run?
By Sithum Imarsha Last reviewed
A 100 W blanket costs about 3.3c an hour in NSW, around 20 times less than a 2,000 W heater.
Your result
Running cost
$3a year
9 kWh a year × 32c/kWh = $3
- Per hour of use
- $0.03
- Energy an hour
- 0.1kWh
- Per day of use
- $0.03
- Energy a day
- 0.1kWh
- Per load
- —
- Energy a load
- —kWh
- Per wash
- —
- Energy a wash
- —kWh
- Rate used
- 32c/kWh ·
Australian average import rate - Worked from
- Watts × hours ·
share at full power 100% (Estimate)
A thermostat switches it on and off, so it does not draw full power all day. Lower the share of time at full power under Advanced settings.
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How we calculated this
- Energy in a year comes from the watts and the hours of use, or from the energy label scaled to your use.
- It is priced at the usage rate only. The daily supply charge is not a running cost.
- On your own solar, the cost is the feed-in credit you give up.
Full method, tables and sources: Appliance running cost calculator
Energy in a year
100 W × 100% × 1 h × 90 days ÷ 1,000 = 9 kWh
Pick the rate
32c/kWh (Australian average import rate)
Work out the cost
9 kWh × 32c/kWh = $3 a year
Cost an hour of use
0.1 kWh × 32c/kWh = $0.03 an hour
| State | Import c/kWh | Feed-in c/kWh | Cost a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 33.1 | 5 | $3 |
| Victoria | 27.2 | 3 | $2 |
| Queensland | 27.9 | 5 | $3 |
| South Australia | 41.5 | 5 | $4 |
| Western Australia | 33.2621 | 3 | $3 |
| Tasmania | 28.8 | 9.276 | $3 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 32.1 | 5 | $3 |
Uses each state's import rate, or its feed-in rate when Power from is set to solar. Your own rate is not used here. Import rates: Dated third-party source, except Western Australia (Official source). Feed-in rates: Estimate, except Tasmania (Official source).
This version starts with a 100 W blanket, pre-heated for an hour on about 90 winter nights. Type more hours if you leave it on low all night.
Electric blanket: what the sources say
Dated third-party source
- Most electric blankets draw 100 to 150 W (CHOICE, 10 Dec 2025).
Not yet checked
- CHOICE says a queen blanket costs no more than $48 a season, pre-heated and on all night for 3 months. A heated throw costs $12 to $18 a season. CHOICE does not state the rate it used.
New to running costs? Read how it is worked out on the main appliance running cost calculator.
Questions
How many watts is an electric blanket?
Most draw 100 to 150 W (CHOICE).
What does it cost per winter?
CHOICE says no more than $48 a season for a queen blanket, pre-heated and on all night for 3 months.
Is it cheaper than a heater?
Yes, by a long way on watts: 100 W against 2,000 W for a fan heater.
Is it safe to leave on all night?
CHOICE advises pre-heating the bed, then turning the blanket off or down.