How much does it cost to run a heated throw?
A heated throw costs about 1.1¢ per hour, 3.4¢ a day, $1.04 a month and $5 a year at typical use (3 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Heated throws are around 50x60 in and draw 50-160 W. They are one of the cheapest ways to stay warm on the couch.
Calculate your cost
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 50 | 0.5¢ | 1.8¢ | $0.55 | $3 |
| High | 100 | 1.1¢ | 3.4¢ | $1.04 | $5 |
At 3 hours a day for 5 months a year and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.07 | 1.3¢ | $0.39 | $5 |
| 2 hours | 0.13 | 2.4¢ | $0.72 | $9 |
| 4 hours | 0.25 | 4.5¢ | $1.37 | $16 |
| 8 hours | 0.49 | 8.8¢ | $2.67 | $32 |
| 12 hours | 0.73 | 13¢ | $3.98 | $48 |
| 24 hours | 1.44 | 26¢ | $7.89 | $95 |
Cost to run a heated throw in every state
The same heated throw costs $4 a year in North Dakota and $13 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 0.7¢ | $0.71 | $4 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.73 | $4 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.75 | $4 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.75 | $4 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.77 | $4 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.77 | $4 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.78 | $4 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.79 | $4 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.79 | $4 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.80 | $4 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.81 | $4 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.81 | $4 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.81 | $4 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.82 | $4 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.8¢ | $0.82 | $4 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.82 | $4 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.86 | $4 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.86 | $4 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.87 | $4 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.88 | $4 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.89 | $4 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.89 | $4 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.89 | $4 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.90 | $4 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.90 | $4 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.9¢ | $0.91 | $5 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.93 | $5 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.94 | $5 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.95 | $5 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.96 | $5 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.96 | $5 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 1.0¢ | $0.98 | $5 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.03 | $5 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.06 | $5 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.09 | $5 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 1.1¢ | $1.09 | $5 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 1.2¢ | $1.20 | $6 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.22 | $6 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 1.3¢ | $1.22 | $6 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 1.4¢ | $1.38 | $7 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 1.4¢ | $1.38 | $7 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 1.5¢ | $1.40 | $7 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.55 | $8 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 1.6¢ | $1.56 | $8 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 1.7¢ | $1.62 | $8 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 1.7¢ | $1.65 | $8 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 1.8¢ | $1.70 | $8 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 1.8¢ | $1.70 | $8 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 1.8¢ | $1.76 | $9 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 2.0¢ | $1.91 | $10 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 2.6¢ | $2.52 | $13 |
How to cut the cost
- Use it in place of a space heater and lower the living room thermostat 4-6°F.
- Start on high for 10 minutes, then drop to low; most throws hold heat well under a second layer.
- Keep the 3-4 hour auto-off enabled.
- Unplug the controller when not in use to avoid standby draw.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Keeps you warm while moving around the house at under 20 W.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heated throw | 100 | 3 hours a day for 5 months a year | $1.04 | $5 |
| Electric blanket | 100 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $2.23 | $11 |
| Space heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
| Under-desk heater | 170 | 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 5 months a year | $4.52 | $23 |
| Heating pad | 50 | 1 hour a day | $0.19 | $2 |
| Heated towel rack | 100 | 6 hours a day | $2.63 | $32 |
| Heat tape | 90 | 24 hours a day for 3 months a year | $5.91 | $18 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a heated throw per hour?
A heated throw drawing 100 watts uses 0.06 kWh per hour while running (60% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 1.1¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.7¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 2.6¢.
How much does it cost to run a heated throw per month?
At typical use (3 hours a day for 5 months a year), a heated throw costs about $1.04 a month while in use and $5 a year over the 5 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a heated throw use?
Most heated throws use 50 to 160 watts, depending on the setting (low 50 W, high 100 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 0.5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a heated throw use?
About 0.19 kWh a day and 29 kWh a year at typical use (3 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does a heated throw use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 29 kWh a year it's a small share (0.3%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a heated throw or an electric blanket?
At typical use, a heated throw costs about $5 a year versus $11 for an electric blanket. So the heated throw is cheaper by about $6 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a heated throw?
- Use it in place of a space heater and lower the living room thermostat 4-6°F.
- Start on high for 10 minutes, then drop to low; most throws hold heat well under a second layer.
- Keep the 3-4 hour auto-off enabled.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.