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Electric throws- a false economy or worth it?

40 replies

ChangingStates · 30/08/2022 08:42

Like everyone else I’m trying to find ways to stay warm and keep the heating bills down this winter.

Considering getting electric throws to have on sofas for the evening and then beds at the start of bed time to save on heating but not sure if this really amounts to a saving… would be running 2-3 heated throws to keep us all warm.

Anyone know?
Also any recommendations?


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OP posts:
MrsMitford3 · 30/08/2022 08:44

DH just mentioned to me that he read that this is a good cost saving idea-think from a money saving expert but I loathe electric blankets so I am not on board!

acatox · 30/08/2022 08:47

I got one a year or two back but it stopped working after 3 months - reading the Amazon reviews for most heated throws this seems to be a very common problem.

Sparklfairy · 30/08/2022 08:48

Absolutely love mine, I've had them for 3-4 years. Very cheap to run - I think initally 1p/hr was thrown around but obviously prices have gone up and due to go up again.

Just one point - I bought one and it died after just over a year. The overheating cut out thing broke and apparently it's quite a common issue, and once it's gone it's fucked. The replacement I made sure I got with a 3 year warranty (Lakeland) instead of 1 year and they replaced it when the same thing happened with the next one. Just something to keep in mind.

porkandbeans · 30/08/2022 08:50

We have one. Getting another this year. We use them during the day as WFH so we don't have to put the heating on during the day. Used them in the evening every now and then but never in beds.

DiscontentedWoman · 30/08/2022 08:53

I have an Aldi one that I must have owned at least 5 or 6 years. It's brilliant. It has a heat setting (1 to 9) and then a time setting which starts at 1 hour. Never managed to keep it on for an hour as I get too hot! Mine is hand wash I think (it hasn't needed washing - I peg it out on the line and let it have a good blow or a bake in the sunshine). I've subsequently bought them as presents over the years and they're now machine washable. I'm sure they generally come out in Aldi around this time of year.

RudsyFarmer · 30/08/2022 08:56

We have electric blankets in bed and an electric throw. Wonderful things.

notapizzaeater · 30/08/2022 09:15

The experts are saying it's much much cheaper to heat the person rather than the house, we've had the Aldi ones years and love them

SparrowsNest · 30/08/2022 09:31

I have had the Aldi ones for 4/5 years now and they are great.

vdbfamily · 30/08/2022 09:33

We just have a pile of normal thick throws/ blankets in the lounge that everyone wraps up in when watching TV and then'wear' up to bed and have as extra layer over duvet at night.

MuttsNutts · 30/08/2022 09:37

vdbfamily · 30/08/2022 09:33

We just have a pile of normal thick throws/ blankets in the lounge that everyone wraps up in when watching TV and then'wear' up to bed and have as extra layer over duvet at night.

This.

We have never had electric throws but find that once you’re wrapped up in a thick fleecy blanket your own heat within it keeps you nice and toasty.

Sure, the cost of an electric throw would beat putting the heating on but really no need to pay anything at all if you have blankets available.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 30/08/2022 09:51

I've had my Argos one for years and still going strong.

ChangingStates · 30/08/2022 15:34

Thanks for all the replies- very helpful . Aldi ones sound the most reliable from what most of you are saying so going to look there.

Appreciate can just pile loads of normal blankets on -did that at the tail end of winter last year and just wasn’t cosy enough for me- I grew up in hot sunny countries and in spite of being in the uk for many years now I still feel utterly miserable in the cold and nothing warms up my hands and feet brrrr

OP posts:
ChangingStates · 30/08/2022 15:35

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

liveeverysecond · 30/08/2022 15:41

I'm interested in this too... do we know if they're at Aldi yet please?

AdoraBell · 30/08/2022 16:30

Never tried one but I find thick socks and a fleece blanket works for me. I use my fluffy dressing gown during the day when it’s cold.

Brogues · 30/08/2022 17:15

I got one a couple of Christmases ago and it was very useful for me when I’m working from home or nipping into the lounge to watch TV as it meant I didn’t have to put the full house heating on. Like PP say though it’s not currently working.

Metabigot · 30/08/2022 17:17

I've purchased the lakeland one. Good reviews.
I feel the cold massively so will still use it even if/ever we return to normal times

Shinyandnew1 · 30/08/2022 17:18

We have one from Amazon which is a few years old now and works really well.

AntlerRose · 30/08/2022 17:21

I love mine. I get cold sat down and it really helps. We used less gas afterr. We havent got one each as my husband and eldest dont get cold and its big enough my youngest can sit under it too if he wants.

I find i dont need it on for a whole hour as it warms the air under the blanket, then acts like a normal blanket after that and traps the air.

LizzieSiddal · 30/08/2022 21:47

I’ve just ordered one, will use it in the sofa but also want to pop into the bed 10 minutes before we get into it, just to take the chill off the sheets and then will remove. Dh hates Electric blankets so think will be a good alternative.

liveeverysecond · 30/08/2022 21:49

Does anyone have any recommendations please? I keep looking but there are a lot of choices!!

Branster · 30/08/2022 22:14

How do these work please.
Do you have to charge them first or do they need to be plugged into an electric socket during use?
I can't imagine having all these cables around with everyone using their own electric blanket.
And how safe are they?

I find normal blankets seem to be sufficiently warm in the winter. But I never tried an electric version to compare.

LadyShatterly · 30/08/2022 22:18

My dreamland one broke quite quickly but I have a Schallen one from Amazon that is good. I have a 4 plug adapter under the sofa with a phone charger, my reading lamp and the blankets (plural so I share with DH) all plugged in. I am not going to put the heating on this year at all, but will use the log burner to heat the house instead for free.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/08/2022 22:19

I'm going to get an Aldi one this year. I got an electric under-blanket a few years ago (just a cheap one from Asda) and it is the best thing ever.

ShirleyJackson · 30/08/2022 22:23

Love mine. Cosiest thing ever. Came from Amazon.