January has arrived, the festive lights are gone, the gym memberships are... aspirational, and energy bills are doing their best impression of a mountain goat – climbing relentlessly. Winter has a knack for making even the most stoic among us question thermodynamics, insulation, and why our feet feel like they’ve been stored in a freezer.

So, as we kick off the new year, let’s tackle a surprisingly scientific (and hotly debated) topic:

Winter is temporary, but energy habits tend to stick

Both electric blankets and hot water bottles are classics for a reason. They deliver heat directly to you, rather than trying to warm the entire room. From an energy perspective, that’s already a win – like using a desk lamp instead of floodlights. But they go about it in very different ways.

Whether you’re firmly Team Electric Blanket or a lifelong Hot Water Bottle Loyalist, this article isn’t here to pick sides. It’s here to arm you with facts. Because debates are much more satisfying when you can back up your choice with a little science, a dash of data, and the quiet confidence of knowing you’re right.

The Electric Blanket

Why people love them

• Consistent heat across a large area (usually the whole bed)
• Multiple settings, so you’re not stuck with ‘lava’ or ‘nothing’
• Designed for long periods of use
• Modern models include auto shut-off and overheat protection, making them far safer than their ancestors

The trade-offs

• Higher upfront cost than a hot water bottle
• Uses electricity continuously while it’s on
• Not exactly portable (unless you enjoy re-arranging furniture)

Best for:

• Pre-heating a bed before sleep
• Staying warm for hours (think: reading, resting, or working from home)
• Anyone who likes their warmth predictable and dependable

The Hot Water Bottle

Why people swear by them

• Low upfront cost
• Cheap to run – boiling a kettle once costs only a few cents
• Completely portable (no plugs, no wires)
• Perfect for targeted heat: feet, stomach, back, or hands

The limitations

• Heat lasts 2–3 hours, then slowly fades
• Only warms a small area
• Requires care to avoid leaks or burns (use a cover, don’t overfill, and don’t use boiling water)

Best for:

• Quick warmth
• Localised pain relief (cramps, aches, cold feet)
• Budget-conscious heat seekers

Which one is cheaper?

Here’s where it gets interesting – and where intuition can trip us up.

• Boiling a full kettle for a hot water bottle typically costs around €0.08–€0.10*
• Electric blankets generally cost about €0.06–€0.09 per hour*, depending on the setting

So:

• If you want short bursts of heat, the hot water bottle usually wins
• If you need low-level warmth for a longer time, an electric blanket can be just as efficient – sometimes more so

For example, warming a bed for 30–40 minutes with an electric blanket may use less total energy than boiling a full kettle.

Science: quietly ruining simple answers since forever.

* Note: Electricity prices vary by region and tariff

The exact cost per boil or per hour will shift with electricity unit rates (€/kWh) and how much water you boil or the blanket’s wattage. These figures are typical examples, reflecting common household usage and current energy prices in Ireland.

Safety first

Electric blankets:

• Follow manufacturer instructions
• Use timers where possible
• Stick to modern models with built-in safety features

Hot water bottles:

• Use a cover
• Let boiled water cool for a few minutes
• Replace old bottles – rubber degrades over time

The verdict?

There’s no single winner here – just different tools for different jobs.

• Hot water bottle = quick, targeted, portable
• Electric blanket = steady, whole-body warmth over longer periods

Bottom line:

Both remain far more energy-efficient alternatives to turning up the central heating – and in a winter where energy costs remain stubbornly high, that’s no small thing.