Choosing Between an Electric Blanket and an Electric Heater
After much research and careful consideration, it is time to purchase your first electric blanket. Before making a purchase, here are a few things that you should ask yourself:Do I need an electric blanket specifically for use during the winter months only? Will my electric blanket be used primarily to provide warmth during the warmer seasons, or primarily to keep myself cool during the cooler months? How much power will my electric blanket need to function?
Size. Decide whether or not you need an electric blanket specifically for the bed or just for relaxing around the house. A standard comforter-sized electric blanket, while extremely practical for sleeping, can quickly overwhelm your living room or patio, while being less energy-efficient overall. If you plan to use your electric blanket as a blanket over your entire body, you will want a size that is appropriately warm, but not so bulky that it dominates the space. If you plan to use your electric blanket solely to reduce your body heat, you will need a size that can efficiently disperse heat throughout the room.
Style. This may seem like a simple question, but some styles are more stylish than others. A beautyrest foot pocket electric blanket is among the most stylish and well-designed, but it does sacrifice functionality in favor of style. The beautyrest foot pocket is made with advanced technology to distribute heat more evenly throughout your body, which makes it a great option for those who plan to use their electric blankets mainly to keep themselves warm. If you plan to use your electric blanket as a main heating source, the design of the beautyrest foot pocket would not matter as much, but if you prefer to have the comfort of a standard blanket without all the extra features, the beautyrest would be the way to go.
Ease of use. All electric blankets are designed to provide ultimate comfort, but there are a few factors that will affect that comfort level. A plush auto Shut off could prove to be too plush for your tastes, so find one with a little more zip. And when it comes to size, you will want a larger electric blanket to feel as comfortable against your body as possible.
Longer battery life. Some of the newer, high capacity electric blankets have the ability to last for up to ten hours on a single charge, which could save you that precious eight hours of sleep during the day on winter's coldest days. On top of saving money, these energy use saving beauties can also save you money on energy bills since they run for longer than standard models.
Higher voltage rating. Most electric blankets have a minimum voltage requirement of 120 volts. You should be able to find an electric blanket in the proper voltage range if you have a regular electric heater. However, there are some newer, high-voltage models on the market that may be too powerful for your heater. These will likely need to be serviced or replaced before they will prove effective in helping to reduce your heating bill.
Higher energy efficiency. High quality electric blankets are constructed with the highest energy efficiency standards in mind. Models rated at least double the standard are available, and these electric blankets typically keep you warm for longer periods of time, and use significantly less energy over the same period of time. With the cost of electricity soaring, every little bit helps towards reducing your carbon footprint.
So which electric blanket is best? In my opinion, there are three separate contenders for that title: pure enrichment, micro flannel, and long-lasting comfort. Each offers advantages and disadvantages, and for me there is simply no deciding between the three. I will give the final preference to the pure enrichment model because of its overall comfort and fit.