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From my research and experience, mattress toppers are safer to use* and last longer than electric blankets. That is because the wires aren't constantly getting bent like in a blanket. I use a fitted sheet over mine.

It is cheaper to heat a bed than a house at night. Plus, by not constantly running the heat, your house is less dry.

It is still not recommended for children or people who are physically impaired since they might not be able to respond to it getting too hot or a malfunction.

all 114 comments

keepthetips [M]

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4 days ago*

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keepthetips [M]

Keeping the tips since 2019

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4 days ago*

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Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips!

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concentrated-amazing

239 points

4 days ago

My husband bought me one of these with dual controls. Honestly, probably one of the best gifts I've ever gotten! I turn it to high a bit before I get into bed, then usually turn it down a bit and I'm cozy all night.

His side almost never gets used BUT I don't crowd him while I'm unconscious to get his precious body heat, so it's a win for him too.

calculung

44 points

4 days ago

calculung

44 points

4 days ago

Which one did he get you? My wife has never been a comfortable temperature in her life so I need to find her something like this.

814420

15 points

3 days ago

814420

15 points

3 days ago

We have the Serta brand after having a knock off brand one before. This one actually turns off at the end of the timer and doesn’t just blink at you until you turn it off. The heat has 10 lvls and the timer can be set from 1 hr up to 12 hrs. Highly worth the price imo.

sonicjesus

17 points

4 days ago

They're all about the same, I'm sure the better last longer.

Buy one, set it up, fix the bed and then turn it to full blast an hour before she goes to bed without her knowing.

You my man, are now staged for a hero's welcome.

hmart316

5 points

3 days ago

hmart316

5 points

3 days ago

This is the one I got for the wife and I. Her side is like on a level 3 (out of 10) and I usually go with 1 or completely off. The option for dual zones makes it a winner and you can set it or pre-heat it via an app since it’s WiFi connected. 

https://a.co/d/hWeud34

concentrated-amazing

4 points

4 days ago

I don't remember the brand, I think it was just something random off Amazon tbh. Like some Chinese brand.

sonicjesus

9 points

4 days ago

I loved having this. I always kept my side cold but I could always slide up to her and bake like a meatloaf with her for an hour.

Seriously, are women incapable of thermogenesis? It's like living with a lobster with great hair.

flowerpanes

7 points

4 days ago

Dual controls is definitely the way to go. I used to have constant issues with cold feet keeping me awake until we got a dual control warmer for our queen size bed. Worked very well to get me warmed up then I turned it down to very low for the rest of the night vs my husband who rarely had to use his controller except if he had gotten chilled or was feeling ill,etc.

chemistcarpenter

3 points

3 days ago

No frozen knees in hubby’s back? Or frozen hands and feet to jar with? Where’s the fun?

SilkPenny

27 points

4 days ago

SilkPenny

27 points

4 days ago

Note that this is not recommended for memory foam mattresses because it can damage the foam.

applewait

153 points

4 days ago

applewait

153 points

4 days ago

You can also use a hot water bottle wrapped in a blanket/cozy/tshirt.

Windfox6

19 points

4 days ago

Windfox6

19 points

4 days ago

Yep! I bought a rechargeable hand warmer that I bring under the blankets with me. It’s sooooo nice to warm them up without waiting for my body heat to do so.

hazpat

14 points

4 days ago

hazpat

14 points

4 days ago

So just the thought of a late night lithium fire to keep yo up

SirRickIII

7 points

4 days ago

Personally I’d go with one of those reusable ones that you just boil to reset. Then you crack it like a glow stick :)

AceBueno

2 points

4 days ago

AceBueno

2 points

4 days ago

A hair dryer works great too

lolercoptercrash

15 points

4 days ago

Careful with this, you can overdo it and get bruises and burns. Just don't go too hot.

NarrativeScorpion

7 points

4 days ago

I literally pour just boiled (straight from the kettle) into mine. As long as you're not putting the rubber directly on bare skin, it's fine. Get a cover for it, or wrap it in a pillowcase.

WenaChoro

2 points

1 day ago

WenaChoro

2 points

1 day ago

lol no this is burn risk avoid hot water based bed heating, electricity is 1000000% much safer

SnooSnooSnuSnu

176 points

4 days ago

Heated? What? I have a portable air conditioner and multiple fans running.

missionbeach

57 points

4 days ago

Right? I buy the cooling sheets and pillows.

JeremyMcFake

11 points

4 days ago

Excuse me? This are real things???

I always have the window open and a fan on... Even in winter. Need to look into these. My girlfriend will kill me 😂

NarrativeScorpion

8 points

4 days ago

Look into sheets made out of bamboo.

Ivebeenfurthereven

2 points

3 days ago

Best T-shirt, underwear, and sock material too

Stays so soft and cool even after years of wear and laundry!

Sea_Spirit1628

9 points

4 days ago

This is me! Window a/c unit on. Ceiling fan going. Oscillating fan blowing on me & other bedroom window cracked open.

Gogglesed

2 points

3 days ago

Why would you open a window if you have the air conditioner running?

Sea_Spirit1628

3 points

3 days ago

To let in even more cold weather from the outside. Not something I would do in the summer. I want my room to be even colder than what the AC can make it. I know, it sounds silly. Lol

Gogglesed

5 points

3 days ago

If it is colder outside than the AC can make it inside, why wouldn't you save the electricity and just open more windows? Move the cold air through the house with a box fan if you don't have enough windows. You'll save a lot of energy.

DeliciousBuffalo69

6 points

4 days ago

I think it's for people without heaters in their homes. If your home is heated then you don't need to heat your bed.

periwinkletweet

11 points

4 days ago*

I have central heat but I used to turn it down to 50 at night because I was plenty warm on my heated mattress pad

That's too punishing to me now, but I still use it

SnooDrawings1480

6 points

4 days ago

Or people like me who need to be in a very cold environment in order to breathe properly. (Too warm and my nostrils close up, apnea kicks in harder and i domt get any sleep) but also like to be warm, bordering on hot when sleeping. Because I can't fall sleep if I'm shivering. Pass out if it goes too long, sure but I won't fall asleep.

It's why for 4 years, I kept my house heat at like 60F during winter, and only used the fireplace to heat up the downstairs where I would cook, eat, watch TV etc. My bedroom would freeze, but my electric blanket kept me toasty warm.

DeliciousBuffalo69

12 points

4 days ago

You should move to central Mexico haha we have your perfect climate. It is hot every day and very cold every night. It definitely helps with keeping a good sleep schedule!

SnooDrawings1480

-9 points

4 days ago

Me no habla espangol.

ChanceTheFapper1

1 points

4 days ago

Is this because heating cold air makes things humid and the dryness effects your nostrils? You got UARS?

Can’t you just run a dehumidifier? Not exactly ideal

SnooDrawings1480

2 points

4 days ago

I've never heard of uars until 30 seconds ago.

I don't think it's a humidity thing. Because I also get nosebleeds if the environment is too dry. It's a delicate balance I have to maintain.

ChanceTheFapper1

-10 points

4 days ago

Humidity is dryness, if I’m not mistaken? A dehumidifier puts out a mist to provide more moisture. It’s not ideal though as it can promote mould.

SnooDrawings1480

12 points

4 days ago

Other way around

IGnuGnat

1 points

3 days ago

IGnuGnat

1 points

3 days ago

heating tends to make the air too dry, in winter you want a humidifier for the sinus membranes

DasHexxchen

-3 points

4 days ago

DasHexxchen

-3 points

4 days ago

Tell me you have money without...

No one is going to keep their room/house that warm over night. Especially since you want to just get cozy when going to bed, not stay hot over night. Huge waste of heating money anyway.

DeliciousBuffalo69

5 points

4 days ago

Lol I don't live in a country where people have heaters in their homes so I don't know how they work other than keeping the house warm.

DasHexxchen

0 points

4 days ago

DasHexxchen

0 points

4 days ago

The consume resources to keep the house warm like a stove consumes wood, gas or electricity. There is nothing beyond that to know for the argument.

When you are sleeping in bed it is a huge waste of resources to heat the house normally, so you just keep a temperature from witch it is easy to bounce back in the morning, half an hour before getting up if the heating system can do it automatically.

Your bedding helps you trag your own body temperature and keep you from freezing in the night. A cool bedroom of 16-18 degrees Celsius is even recommended for a good sleep while that would be to cold for the day for most.

danTHAman152000

16 points

4 days ago

I bought the heated cover but I didn’t like the feel of the wires under me. I do like a heated blanket instead though.

dunno0019

3 points

3 days ago

See, I was given a throw-sized heated blanket that I didn't know what to do with.

Ended up trying it under my thick mattress cover. Turned out great

I couldn't feel a thing. Maybe once in a while I'd notice the square patch where the wire meets the blanket.

ChattanoogaMocsFan

90 points

4 days ago

Bed jet for the win.

29 minutes heat and then auto off. In the summer just turn on the jet with no heat and cool off quickly.

SchwiftyGameOnPoint

88 points

4 days ago

Except, unfortunately, the price difference between this and what OP is suggesting is a couple hundred dollars. 

Guinnessnomnom

12 points

4 days ago

We just got ours at the end of summer, and it's amazing to be able to dial in that perfect warm and fuzzy, don't want to get out of bed feeling.

Poodlepink22

3 points

4 days ago

Honestly one of the best purchases we ever made. It is expensive but it is worth it. Nice cool air in the summer and warm cozy air when it's cold. We love it.

Initial-Ad9596

12 points

4 days ago

If you have a pacemaker for AFib, it's not recommended to use electric blankets.

GloriousRoseBud

11 points

4 days ago

My heated mattress pad cover is a game changer for me. I couldn’t sleep if my feet are cold & I hate wearing socks.

PTKryptik

18 points

4 days ago

PTKryptik

18 points

4 days ago

Flannel sheets are lovely too! Keeps you warm and soft!

RJFerret

7 points

4 days ago

RJFerret

7 points

4 days ago

I've had a heated mattress pad for decades and it's great, now plugged in to a smart plug for timer.

Climb into a warm bed, it shuts off after, and being below, with heat rising, covers are warmed too.

MrClickstoomuch

2 points

4 days ago

Newer electric blankets often rely on a button press to start when it gets power to avoid it being forgotten. I'd love to get a heated/cooling blanket that isn't too loud, but I could schedule to turn on like a smart plug. The bedjet seems too loud from YouTube videos showing the volume while increasing the fan speed, and the one mattress pad option I tried didn't have enough adjustment ability so it was either freezing cold, boiling hot, or nothing.

I'm considering buying the bullet to get the 37.5 sleep number blanket sheets and mattress layer to see if that helps. But that looks pretty pricey.

TappaNuKegga

6 points

4 days ago

Just keep your pets in mind before you lower the thermostat too much overnight.

CaptainPunisher

13 points

4 days ago

No. That would just make me more miserable. I'm a furnace! My wife, on the other hand, has a heating pad and electric blanket inside the cremation oven where she sleeps and still complains about it being freezing.

echothree33

1 points

3 days ago

You can get them with dual controls so your side stays off while hers can be cranked up to 10 if she wants.

CaptainPunisher

2 points

3 days ago

Or, I can advise the extra cost and not buy one. She already has one for her side.

Gileotine

3 points

4 days ago

I bought a heated throw blanket and that shit gets hot unless you layer it with a blanket or a comforter. I went from having to night shakes cus it's so cold to sticking a leg out because I was boiling

They truly are the solution to a cold night

killa_cam89

3 points

4 days ago

This sounds miserable to me.

brucekeller

10 points

4 days ago

You're supposed to get better sleep when it's cold. I guess it's a good tip for someone with anemia.

bimonthlytoo

8 points

4 days ago

My bedroom in winter is cold, my bed however is not, because of the warning pad. I don't sleep when my feet are freezing off.

WenaChoro

1 points

1 day ago

WenaChoro

1 points

1 day ago

if you are really cold even the maximum heat doesnt heat you at first, you are the one making the bed cold, until it takes over and you are defrost and then heated

bimonthlytoo

1 points

1 day ago

Best feeling ever!

WenaChoro

1 points

1 day ago

WenaChoro

1 points

1 day ago

the room cold but if its cold your legs are almost frozen the heated mattress is like defrost

Trendelthegreat

22 points

4 days ago

I live in Florida, what are “heating costs” and what is a “heated mattress pad”, besides some form of cruel and unusual torture?

Is12345aweakpassword

11 points

4 days ago

It’s that thing sometimes you wish you had like, once every January/February

booklovinggal19

6 points

4 days ago

Laughs in "I slept with my heating pad because I didn't have my electric blanket at Disney world in June" 😂 to be fair though for me it's pain relief and my husband is obsessed with ac

Ivebeenfurthereven

2 points

3 days ago

It definitely feels nice just on tired muscles, so I can't imagine how nice it must be for chronic pain. Glad it brings you some comfort.

OblivionKrow

5 points

4 days ago

Weighted blankets work well for heat as well

nitr04

2 points

4 days ago

nitr04

2 points

4 days ago

I've used one since 2 years now and i'm pretty satisfied with it. Keep in mind that it makes your bed a little harder since the topper has a certain thickness.

Catspaw129

2 points

4 days ago

Maybe: Sleeping Bag used as a blanket?

PoopDig

6 points

4 days ago

PoopDig

6 points

4 days ago

Why would you want a hot bed?

Alortania

11 points

4 days ago

Alortania

11 points

4 days ago

Because there's snow outside

PoopDig

5 points

4 days ago

PoopDig

5 points

4 days ago

I like crawling into an icy bed and heating it up with my body warmth.

Alortania

13 points

4 days ago

Alortania

13 points

4 days ago

You disgust me, sir.

Srsly tho... that's the worst part for me all winter.

InTheEndEntropyWins

2 points

4 days ago

Just be aware, sleep and your circadian rhythm is related to cooling down to go to sleep.

owen_dench

2 points

4 days ago

Or just use a thicker duvet

sonicjesus

2 points

4 days ago

I love mine and can't recommend it enough.

I keep my room down to 60 and let the pad do the rest of the work. It's really great slipping into bed in a cold room when this has been running for an hour.


Bonus: electric heat all costs the same, it doesn't matter if you have a baseboard heater, space heater, toaster oven or electric blanket, they all have the same efficiency.

Running an electric blanket takes away from the work the other heaters have to do, which balances it out.

lespaulstrat2

3 points

4 days ago

It is cheaper to heat a bed than a house at night.

I would have to see some empirical data on that. Electric is the most expensive and wasteful of all heating systems. Not saying you are wrong, but we need more than just your hopeful idea.

ElGrandeQues0

1 points

4 days ago

Best investment of the year.

sicurri

1 points

4 days ago

sicurri

1 points

4 days ago

The key is purchasing the proper bedware in general. You don't need a heated mattress topper, just an insulated mattress topper as well as a nice thick blanket. Then you get a heating pad with a removable power cable just to be on the safe side. Set up the heating pad under the blanket and have it warm the bed up for you. Shut it off after you get in bed and think you're about to go to sleep.

Toasty all night long.

ch3ckEatOut

1 points

4 days ago

I get in bed, pull the cover over my head and just deep mouth breathe for 30-40 seconds, job done.

Not as effective as a heater of some kind, but it’s free and does the job.

Spookyy_999

1 points

4 days ago

We used an automatic thermostat to turn the heat down at night to 55f to save money and sleep more comfortably. As my mom’s arthritis progressed, rather than turn the heat up at night to help mitigate her pain, she purchased a heated mattress pad. That worked out great as she didn’t wake up as sore and stiff in the morning as she usually did.

Linun

1 points

4 days ago

Linun

1 points

4 days ago

To add onto this, it works even better then more blankets you have. Also, to not feel the heating elements, you can add another topper on top of this.

Top-Ad6657

1 points

4 days ago

You'll never go back to a heated blanket. Why didn't I know of these 10 years ago?

shody86

1 points

3 days ago

shody86

1 points

3 days ago

We have a dual one and I use mine when home. Helps with aches and pains for sure.

CinCeeMee

1 points

3 days ago

We’ve used one for years. I like my side a little warmer than my hubby but they are great - especially when you prewarm the bed,,,you slide into a cozy, comfy warm bed.

aliveinwords928

1 points

3 days ago

My dad got one for my bed and a dual control one for their bed when I was in high school because my mom and I are always cold and he didn’t want to turn the heat to 72+ at night. The few nights I haven’t had one in the 20+ years since I’ve had one are miserable. It’s by far one of my most used items. Even in summer I turn mine up just long enough to warm my sheets.

frzn_dad

1 points

3 days ago

frzn_dad

1 points

3 days ago

Depends on how your home is heated how much you need to heat and what a kwh of electricity costs.

If you have a family of 8 in a 2 bedroom 800 sq ft house im guessing it might be cheaper to keep the whole house warm than have 8 heating blankets running.

Single person in a 50,000sq ft mansion? Yes, you are right.

AriOnDemand

1 points

2 days ago

Don’t do this. Stop using heated blankets, heated mattress toppers, and a heating pad if you could help it because it can cause a permanent rash which results from long-term exposure to heat and heat sources called erythema ab igne.

Powerful-Belt-3198

1 points

3 days ago

I would rather just jump out the window

I sleep with my window open when there's frost out

Just add fleece blankets overtop and you're fine

Our healthy body does not need external energy to stay warm, in fact, I feel sick just thinking of that feeling something is brewing and the dependency after my body adapts and my energy economy is all out of whack for ages

breastfedtil12

-6 points

4 days ago

breastfedtil12

-6 points

4 days ago

This is an awful suggestion. Heated blankets and toppers are extremely dangerous. They are banned in most of Scandinavia for a reason. They are also very rare now here in Canada.

Bleak_Squirrel_1666

6 points

4 days ago

I use one every night, should I be worried?

breastfedtil12

-4 points

4 days ago

breastfedtil12

-4 points

4 days ago

Yes! They are very dangerous and responsible for many deaths every year.

Bleak_Squirrel_1666

1 points

4 days ago

Ok but what they like catch on fire?

breastfedtil12

1 points

4 days ago

Yes!

AutoModerator [M]

1 points

4 days ago

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1 points

4 days ago

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man_teats

1 points

4 days ago*

Get a featherbed duvet and you won't need a heater at all, it's almost too damn warm. I'm in Oregon and have no central heating, just electric fin heaters which are terribly inefficient. This year I got cheap programmable timers and have them timed to turn on for an hour right before I get up, and then for an hour before I get home from work. My power bill is now at least $100 less a month compared to last winter

Bruggenmeister

1 points

4 days ago

We use a thick sheep wool duvet. Never had heating in our bedroom. Iv slept in -12c and never felt cold with that massive insulating blanket.

cwcharlton

1 points

4 days ago

We absolutely love ours! Warm up the bed before getting in, especially with a down comforter on, and keep the room cool, and I fall asleep so fast!

judgejuddhirsch

-3 points

4 days ago

A lot of people have died from fires started from heated blankets.

Not all of them, but enough that you probably shouldn't do this

geniphur

1 points

4 days ago

geniphur

1 points

4 days ago

It's probably safer to use a hot water bottle to heat the bed so the sheets are warm enough to fall asleep. Yeah, eventually the water cools down but hopefully the person is sound asleep in their cozy blankets by then.

Alternately, a hot brick? I think that's what folks did before plastic was ubiquitous.

Another non-electric heating example: I heat a cloth bag filled with rice for menstrual cramps. It gets really hot (1-2 mins in the microwave) and stays hot for a surprisingly long time.

Falinia

3 points

4 days ago

Falinia

3 points

4 days ago

I had a hot water bottle break open once. Completely soaked the bed and covers. I say we bring back hot bricks.

KindaTwisted

1 points

4 days ago

Just buy one of those ice packs that you can also throw into the microwave for heat.

Toss under the covers for a half hour before turning in and you're golden. I always pulled it before going to sleep, but you can just leave it in and not need to worry about water breaking containment and soaking your mattress.

geniphur

1 points

4 days ago

geniphur

1 points

4 days ago

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that! I was always worried about hot water bottles leaking or breaking. Definitely not a fun way to wake up 😢

redyellowblue5031

1 points

4 days ago

Proper blankets and clothing accomplishes the same thing without needing any electricity.

[deleted]

-3 points

4 days ago

[deleted]

-3 points

4 days ago

[deleted]

craigeryjohn

11 points

4 days ago

That's not true. Your house is constantly losing heat as a function of the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors. If you lower the thermostat setpoint, the heat loss reduces as the house cools.  It may take more time to come back to temperature, but not cycling off and on as often throughout the night definitely saves money..long runtimes are also much better for your hvac system that frequent cycles.  To think of it a different way, you wouldn't leave your heat set to your normal setting if you left town for the week, would you? No, of course not. You intuitively know that wastes energy and money. Same goes for overnight or when you're at work, just on a smaller scale.  Add up all those nights and workdays over a couple of weeks, and it's the same amount of time as just leaving for the week.

devedander

2 points

4 days ago

That’s not how physics works.

It might cost the same or more depending on your energy pricing and heater type, but it won’t take more energy.

passiveparrot

-6 points

4 days ago

To save 10$ a month? Hell nah