Blizzard Power Outage: How Much Electricity Does an Electric Blanket Use All Night?
When the power goes out during a winter storm, staying warm becomes priority number one. Here's the good news: a standard 100-watt electric blanket running for 8 hours uses only 0.8 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, costing about $0.10-$0.15 per night. That makes it one of the most efficient emergency heating options available. This guide breaks down exactly how much power electric blankets consume, what you'll pay to run one, and how to keep it running when the grid goes down.
What's the Wattage of an Electric Blanket?
Calculating the power consumption is the initial step that helps estimate the costs and prepare for emergencies. Power consumption varies according to the size of the blanket and the temperature settings. However, every electric blanket consumes surprisingly low amounts of power compared to other types of heaters.
Typical Wattage Found in Electric Blankets
Typically, most blankets are between 50 and 150 watts, which is quite low compared to other heating sources. However, it also depends on your preferred level of heating, as follows:
Low: 40-60 watts
Medium: 80-100 watts
High: 120–150 watts
Size also makes a difference. A twin will consume 50-75 watts, but a queen or king will consume 100-150 watts if both are in use.
Electric Blanket Wattage vs Other Heating Options
This is accomplished through blankets. Take these statistics:
Electric blanket: 60 to 120W
Space Heater: 1,500 watts
Heating pad, 50-100 watts,
Electric mattress pad: 100-200 watts
How Much Does Running an Electric Blanket All Night Cost?
Once you know the wattage, it becomes very easy to calculate the cost. This is how much it will cost per night, per month, and per winter.
Nightly Power Consumption
Perform the mathematical calculations: watts × hours ÷ 1,000 = kWh
Example of an 8-hour night:
60W blanket : 60 x 8 /1,000 =0.48 kWh
100W blanket: 100 × 8 ÷ 1,000 = 0.8
120W blanket: 120 × 8 ÷ 1,000 = 0.96
Monthly and Seasonal Electric Blanket Costs
Given an average U.S. rate of electricity around $0.13 per kWh, here’s a breakdown of actual costs: - Per night: around 6-15 cents - Per month (30 nights): $1.80 - Winter (approximately 4 months): $7.20 to $18. By comparison, a space heater using 1,500 watts costs $1.50 per night, which is a tenfold increase in cost. During winter, such a space heater will cost approximately $180, and the electric blanket makes little impact on the expenditure.
Can You Use an Electric Blanket With a Portable Power Station During a Power Outage?
For example, if there’s a power outage during a blizzard, a portable power station could keep an electric blanket running throughout the night. Electric blankets use very little power, making battery-powered backup stations ideal for this kind of usage—rather than those giant space heaters that suck down battery power in minutes.
Portable Power Station And Electric Blanket Operation
A portable power station (also referred to as a portable generator/battery backup) stores electricity that you can draw from when the power grid goes down. The good thing going for electric blankets is the low wattage requirement: 100 watts is not a problem for modern portable power stations.
Although a 1,500-watt space heater will deplete a battery backup in less than an hour, an electric blanket will continue to operate all night long. Because of this, it’s the best alternative to consider in case of a blizzard.
Runtime for Different Capacity Power Stations
To calculate runtime, divide the station's capacity (in watt-hours) by your blanket's wattage, then multiply by roughly 85% to account for conversion losses:
Formula: (Station Wh ÷ Blanket Watts) × 0.85 = Hours
| Power Station Capacity | Electric Blanket Wattage | Estimated Runtime |
| 300Wh | 60W | ~4 hours |
| 500Wh | 100W | ~4 hours |
| 1,000Wh | 100W | ~8.5 hours |
| 1,500Wh | 120W | ~10.5 hours |
Choosing the Right Size Power Station
For a full night's sleep (8 hours), you'll want at least 1,000Wh of capacity. Here's a practical breakdown:
Full-night use (8 hours): Get a 1,000Wh or larger station
Half-night use (4-5 hours): A 500Wh unit works fine
Multiple people or extended outages: Go for 1,500Wh or more
Pro tip: Pair your power station with a solar panel. During multi-day outages, you can recharge during daylight hours and extend your heating capacity indefinitely.
The EcoFlow DELTA 2 is a perfect solution for anyone looking for reliable power in case of extended outages. It offers fast recharging, expandable capacity, and the ability to charge from solar panels, ensuring you have the power to keep your electric blanket running for as long as needed.
Blizzard Emergency Heating: Electric Blankets vs Other Options
Not all emergency heating methods work equally well during power outages. Let's compare electric blankets against other common options to see which makes the most sense when you're running on limited battery power.
Emergency Heating Method Comparison
| Heating Method | Power Draw | 8-Hour Consumption | Works with Power Station | Safety Level | Best Use Case |
| Electric Blanket | 60-120W | 0.5-1 kWh | Perfect match | High | Top choice for outages |
| Space Heater | 1,500W | 12 kWh | Not practical | Medium | Grid power only |
| Propane Heater | None | No electricity | N/A | Low (needs ventilation) | Outdoor/dire situations |
| Heating Pad | 50-100W | 0.4-0.8 kWh | Works well | High | Spot warming |
Why Electric Blankets Win at Power Outage Heating
The numbers speak for themselves. An electric blanket consumes 92% less power than a space heater but provides you with equal warmth. Trust me, on battery backup, it can be the difference between freezing at 2 AM and sleeping peacefully till morning.
Besides, electric blankets warm you, which is the most efficient method possible. Space heaters are wasteful, heating the air which then escapes when someone opens a door. The blanket keeps the warmth exactly where you want it.
Safety is a big advantage as well. There is no open flame or danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, and contemporary models provide automatic shut-off. They are also lightweight and easy to store, making them excellent for emergency caches.
It costs just under 15 cents per night to operate, which is essentially nothing compared to the cost of operating the generator or consuming propane.
Safety Tips for Electric Blanket Use During Outages
When you are using an electric blanket with a power station, here are the points to consider:
Never fold or gather up the blanket when it is still on, as it could increase heating and damage the wiring. Never pile up too much stuff on top of it. Check periodically if its cord is damaged.
The power station: Locate it in a well-ventilated area – the batteries run a bit warm. Avoid overloading it by hooking up too many power-hungry appliances. Be mindful of the battery levels and temperature, particularly when operating in frigid temperatures, and the batteries are only functioning at efficiencies of 80-90%. - Choose blankets that come equipped with overheat protection and automatic shut-off timers. Such blankets offer a sense of security while you’re asleep.
FAQs
Q1. Can I Run Two Electric Blankets on One Power Station?
Yes, if the station has the juice. Two 100-watt blankets will consume a total of 200 watts, and a 1,500Wh unit should be able to power both of them for about 6-7 hours. Just be sure the station can put out enough power (measured in watts, not watt-hours), which most stations above 1,000Wh can definitely handle at 300-500 watts. Running the two blankets for an entire 8-hour night would require a minimum power bank of at least 2,000Wh, assuming an efficiency rate of about 85% and a performance reduction during cold temperatures.
Q2. Do Electric Blankets Use Less Power on Low Settings?
Definitely. Going low (50-60W) versus running at a high rate (120-150W) will slash your power usage by over 50 percent. In an emergency, turn the power station up to the high setting to quickly heat up, then switch to the low or medium range for the rest of the night. Many people have reported that when they are all snuggled up under the blankets, the low or medium heat setting feels good. It'll make the power station's watt-hours last a lot longer. A 1,000Wh unit could last 14 hours at low versus 8 hours at the high rate.
Q3. What Happens if the Power Station Runs Out While I’m Sleeping?
The blanket simply stops heating, though you’ll still manage to stay somewhat warm with your regular blanket until morning. To prevent this, you could set up a phone alarm to check on the batteries one time during the night, or simply select a station that has sufficient power to last 10+ hours rather than 8. Some stations offer low battery warnings that give you a warning before actually turning off, giving you a heads up. As an emergency solution, you could also store some additional blankets and make sure your sleep clothing is warm as a supplement to your electric blanket.
Stay Warm During Power Outages
An electric blanket uses less than 1 kWh per night, costing just $0.10-$0.15—making it the most practical emergency heating solution for power outages. Pair it with a 1,000Wh+ portable power station, such as the EcoFlow DELTA 2, and you’ve got reliable warmth that’ll last through the worst winter storms. Before the next blizzard hits, test your setup and make sure your equipment, like the EcoFlow DELTA 2, is ready to go.