When to Replace Your Electric Blanket
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There is nothing quite like snuggling down under your electric blanket on a cold winter night and a good quality one will last for years but they won’t last forever. The life of your electric blanket will be influenced by how well you care for it (and choosing a great brand in the first place) but even the best-loved blankets will need replacing at some point. It is therefore really important to recognise the signs that yours has reached the end of its useful life and needs replacing as performance, safety, and hygiene could all potentially be compromised with continued use.
Check your electric blanket regularly and if you spot any of the following signs it’s a good time to think about replacing:
Take a good look over the fabric of the blanket. It is the fabric that absorbs the heat from the wire element and distributes it. It also protects you from burns so it must remain in good condition. All fabric will deteriorate with time and usage so if the material is starting to go thin, fray or has any holes then you need to stop using it.
When checking the condition of the fabric, another key thing to look out for is any evidence of scorches or discolouration. This should ring warning bells as it’s a clear sign that the blanket is overheating. Good quality electric blankets are fitted with overheat protection so this shouldn’t happen but cheaper or older blankets can be at risk so be aware. Never use an electric blanket that has scorch marks.
While the blanket itself doesn’t contain any electrical components other than its heating element, remember that it is still an electrical item and that things can go wrong. The section of your electric blanket to pay attention to in this regard is the power cord and controller. If it starts to make a buzzing noise or smells like burning then this means there is a problem. You should also check for signs of damage to the cord itself such as splits or strains. It may be possible to just replace the power cord, especially if the blanket isn’t that old, but it’s often a better idea to replace the whole item as it keeps all elements of the product in sync.
Because of the way that electric blankets are designed, they need to be stored in a certain way when not in use to prevent them from incurring damage. This means rolling them rather than folding them. The heated wire inside is shaped in a certain way to distribute heat evenly over the whole area of the blanket. Folding the blanket can bend this wire out of shape and damage the protective coating. If this happens you can expect at best that the heat won’t be distributed properly but at worst it could become unsafe. Do a visual check over the surface for any creases that indicate it may have been folded and feel it for any bumps in the wire. If you’re not confident it has been rolled correctly, discard it.
I’m afraid age has an impact on all of us and your electric blanket is no exception! Even if everything looks OK and you’ve done all the checks above, if it’s over 10 years old the advice from the fire service is to replace it. In addition to the safety implications, there are hygiene considerations with a blanket of this age and just as you should replace your mattress periodically, so should you replace your electric blanket. Keep a note of when you bought your blanket and if it reaches the grand old age of 10, its time to say goodbye and get a new one (check here for a great selection when choosing a replacement).
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It's hard to fall asleep in an uncomfortably cold bedroom, but it's tempting to turn the thermostat down at night to save on utility bills. Homeowners who seek the best of both worlds can use heated, electric blankets to enjoy a cozy bedtime routine while conserving energy and reducing expenses.
However, like any appliance or device that generates heat, electric blankets pose some risks when they're damaged or misused. If you start using them in your own bed, it's important to observe safety practices and use these blankets in a deliberate way. Take a look at our tips for using electric blankets safely to help ensure you and your family stay warm and out of harm’s way this winter.
One of the most common questions about electric blankets is whether it's safe to leave them on overnight. While a modern, well-maintained electric blanket is unlikely to cause problems with proper use, it is not recommended to keep electric blankets on all night.
Instead, it's helpful to use electric blankets to warm up your bed before you get in and turn them off before you fall asleep. The most sophisticated models have timers that give you the luxury of falling asleep in a bed that's still warming up, but those with manual switches can usually provide enough warmth to keep you comfortable even if you deactivate them before drifting off.
When using an electric blanket to heat your bed, consider heating the sheet-covered mattress with the blankets pulled down. After several minutes, pull up the covers and lay down the electric blanket as the top layer. The blankets will trap the heat in the mattress so that the entire bed will feel warm when you get in. Even after you turn the heat off, you may feel the warmth for up to an hour, giving you plenty of time to fall asleep.
Most electric blankets feature a similar design—a long, heat-producing wire is stitched throughout the innermost layer. Because these wires must be thin to keep the blanket soft and flexible, they are fairly susceptible to damage. So, the first step to electric blanket maintenance is to handle them with care.
Even if you've been gentle, it's important to inspect your blanket carefully before plugging it in. Look for tears, exposed wires, or scorch marks and discard the blanket if you see any signs of damage. It's usually not worth the risk of using an electric blanket that has been patched up. When storing one of these blankets, don't fold it because the creases may cause the wires to break. Instead, loosely roll it.
You should also check the documentation that comes with any new electric blanket to verify its expected lifespan. These are only guidelines and some blankets may provide safe service for years beyond this estimate, but it's a good idea to replace electric blankets at recommended intervals to minimize the risk of fire or electrical shock.
Used properly, electric blankets can be among the most effective tools in your winter HVAC efficiency strategy. If you're looking for other ways to keep your home heating bills low, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help. Contact your local HVAC technicians to inquire about inspections, tune-ups, home energy audits, and more.
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