Is cheaper to use an electric heating blanket rather than turning on a hearter in your room? Is it safe?

Question

I leave the heating blanket on all night. Am I running the bill up real high? its so cold!!

Answer 1

Yes, it's cheaper. But is it safe?

In the UK, it is estimated that 5,000 fires per year are caused by faulty electric blankets, of which 99% are believed to have been caused by blankets 10 years or older. (wikipedia)

So there is a fire risk...but also, there is some "unknown" risk to sleeping under an electromagnetic field like that.
Personally, I don't think we know enough about the effects of such exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields. There is a growing amount of evidence that exposure to more than 2 milligauss in the general environment increases cancer risk, and an electric blanket produces 30 to 90 Milligauss.
(There are currently no national standards for exposure to low- frequency fields. However, epidemiological evidence suggests that when the general level of 60-Hz fields exceeds 2 milligauss, there is an increased cancer risk in both domestic environments (Savitz et al, 1988) and industrial environments (Matanoski et al, 1989; Davis and Milham, 1990; Garland et al, 1990). Typical home environments (not close to appliances or power lines) are in the range of 0.1-0.5 milligauss. )
It's not recommended that pregnant mothers sleep under electric blankets, because studies have shown increased risk for brain cancer in the child ( children of mothers who slept under electric blankets while pregnant have a 2.5 risk ratio for brain cancer (Savitz et al, 1990).

There is a tremendous amount of resistance to look at this, because of economic issues. Imagine what would happen if it is found that all the electromagnetic exposure we get is causing birth defects, ADHD, autism, etc. So there is a very strong lobby that fights any research in the area.
After reading Dr. Robert Beckers book "The Body Electric", I'm inclined to avoid too much exposure.

I'd get the comforters, flannel sheets, etc...turn the blanket on before bed, then turn it off while I sleep. That is what is recommended for pregnant moms....and while I'm not a pregnant mom, I'm constructed out of the same kind of stuff.

Answer 2

Cheap Heating Blanket

Answer 3

Hey There! A few years ago I lived in an apartment that had electric heat and it was WAY too much money to have it turned up enough to keep me warm at night. I never used an electric blanket but what I did do was invest in a great comforter that was super warm, got flannel sheets and pjs and I have to say I was super cozy and they were great long term investments - that was 4 years ago and I still use them in the winter time. Also I found scuddling with my boyfriend was a good warm to keep warm too! ;0)

Answer 4

Your heated blanket will use a lot less power than a space heater in your room... People often turn their electric blankets on an hour before they go to bed,then switch them off when they "turn in". They seem to feel safer doing this,although I don't know anyone who has been shocked or burned by a heated blanket...

Answer 5

electric blanket are much more cheap and is very safe. I use to leave mine on (by accident) all the time. The only think you need to worry about in that case is burning out whatever it is that heats it. I think they are coils. Then all that would do just make it less hot.

Answer 6

Electric blankets run about 120 watts, and yes, they are perfectly safe. An electric space heater is perhaps 1200 watts to 1500 watts, and they have a rather poor safety record, tending as they do to overload wiring and extension cords and to set things on fire.

Answer 7

Compare the Wattage between the two. The lower the cheaper. However, do bear in mind that you'll need to be actually lying under the blanket for it to have its effect. Also if there are other people in the same room, using the traditional heater may be much more cost effective.

Answer 8

a heater will use 1500wats electric heating blanket will use 105 wats
i have both

Answer 9

yeah, its cheaper. Nothing is safe.