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An electric blanket is a blanket that contains integrated Heating element wires. Types include underblankets, overblankets, throws, and . An electric underblanket is placed above the mattress and below the bottom bed sheet. This is the most common type in the UK and Commonwealth countries, where it is known by default as an "electric blanket"; in the U.S. and Canada, where it is less common, it is called an electric heated mattress pad. An electric overblanket is placed above the top bed sheet, and is the most common type in the U.S. and Canada, where it is called an "electric blanket".
Electric blankets usually have a control unit that adjusts the amount of heat the blanket produces by pulsing current at different intervals. Blankets for two-person beds often have separate controls for each side of the bed. The electric blanket may be used to pre-heat the bed before use or to keep the occupant warm while in bed.
Electric blankets usually use between 15 and 115 watts, and some modern "low voltage" electric blankets have thin carbon fiber wires and work on 12 to 24 volts.
Some modern electric blankets use carbon fiber elements that are less bulky and conspicuous than older heating wires. Carbon fiber is also used as the heating element in many high-end heated car seats. Blankets can be purchased with rheostats that regulate the heat.
When the temperature at any point on the electric blanket exceeds a predetermined value, the heat-sensitive layer on the corresponding electric heating wire is changed from an insulator to a good conductor, so that the control circuit is turned on and the electric blanket is disconnected to achieve the purpose of temperature control and safety protection.
The common type electric blanket without signal line electric heating element is generally equipped with two types of temperature control elements to realize temperature control:
Some electric blankets work on relatively low voltage (12 to 24 volts), including those that plug in to ordinary household electrical outlets. In the US, such blankets are sold by Soft Heat, Serta, and Select Comfort.In the US, as of October 2013, Perfect Fit Industries seems to be the only distributor of such blankets.
Such blankets also include 12-volt blankets designed for in-car use; they tend to shut off automatically every 45 minutes or so.
Old or damaged blankets are a concern of fire safety officials, due to the combination of heat, electricity, the abundance of flammable bedding material, and a sleeping occupant. In the United Kingdom in 2011, it was estimated that 5,000 structure fire per year were caused by faulty electric blankets.
Electric blankets also present a burn risk to those who cannot feel pain, such as those with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, or who are unable to react to it, such as small children, , and the elderly.
Long-term electric blanket use (>20 years) in women is associated with a 36% higher prevalence of endometrial cancer.
Due to these qualities, electric blankets are popular in low-income communities, especially households with persistent fuel poverty during the cold season. Similarly, electrical blankets are frequently used in hot summer cold winter zones. For instance they are the single most frequently used personal heating solution in bedrooms in the Yangtze River region.
From a power management perspective, however, miscellaneous electric load related to appliances such as the electric blanket, waterbeds, dehumidifiers, television sets, add up to a significant amount, sometimes 40% of the total power usage in homes. Worth to note, these appliances use minimal power e.g. electric blankets use only approx. 15–115 Watt. Yet, compared to other electric appliances, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, electric water heating systems, miscellaneous electricity load is under-recognized and may lead to mistaken forecasts of electricity usage, thus needing appropriate consideration.
Electric blankets offer a significant opportunity to improve quality of life especially for citizens living in low income communities situated in cold climate areas because of their low energy usage relative to the thermal comfort they provide.
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