Using an Electric Blanket on a PV system

 Last November, I gave mother an electric blanket, and she used it as a
pre-Christmas present... the reason for the present, was to lower her
electric and gas utility costs.... in past years, she left the central gas
heating on at night... so there was a lot of gas usage during the night, and
also the electricity was used in the big central air blowers that circulated
the heated air throughout her house....

When the utility costs became too much for her to pay, I gave her a Cast
Iron Wood heater.... she had a big enough property to furnish plenty of
wood, so her fuel source was free... and the Cast Iron Wood stove did, and
still does work for heating food and heating the dining and living rooms
during the day.... but at night, it is different.... now with the electric
blanket, her bed is warm and the monthly electric cost is still low....
because the electric blanket only pulls 70 watts....

I took my Kill-O-Watt meter to her house today, to measure the actual
wattage used by the blanket, and when the blanket was on, it pulled 70
watts.... this makes it usable on a PV setup like mine... I think that my
'Off the Grid' setup can easily handle a 70 watt 'off and on' load and if it
is necessary, then her house could also be fitted with some of my extra PV
panels for the electric blanket heat, TV, Microwave Oven, and a few CF
lights... all this measuring and experimenting is test out various ways to
survive, if bad times come...

Gig




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  Gig,

I have a big thick down comforter at my camp. This winter I slept
comfortably when the inside temperature was just a bit over freezing. (the
place has not been insulated yet)

I find that down is more comfortable than even an electric blanket.
It consumes 0 watts. They are more expensive to purchase than an electric
blanket, but a whole lot more economical to operate.

I do think that your mother could benefit from some free power for TV,
lights and a few other comforts of life.



circulated

 

The problem is, that I don't think my 88 year old mother will crawl into a
heavy down comforter, so I have to set  up a more conventional way of
dealing with cold winter nights.... and the electric blanket seems to be the
way.... the blanket is a good substitute for the more expensive utility
costs of heating the whole house with gas and the electric blower through a
central system...

Gig








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Then get her a PolarLoft or equivalent.  Made from recycled polyethylene
fibers, practically weightless, incredibly warm, hypoallergenic, machine
washable/dryable.  The point is, even an 88-yo radiates about 100W as
heat.  Captured under a decent insulator, on a pre-warmed bed, that will
keep anyone toasty warm.  100+ years ago, you would heat a flatiron in
the fireplace, wrap it in flannel, and stick it under the covers a few
minutes before bed.  It does NOT need to run all night to be effective.
Also, most electric blankets are actually pretty poor insulators; if
they weren't, you wouldn't get much warmth out of them.

--Gene

 

electric

Yes, it can be difficult to convince an 88 year old of anything!

You don't really have to crawl INTO it, it's just a thick blanket.
And, although very thick, it is literally light as a feather. Women usually
love them, and in fact it was a woman who introduced me to the down
comforter.

Somebody here also mentioned that there are synthetic alternatives to down
that are less expensive and more durable. I also have a sleeping bag that I
use for camping and I can attest to the quality and effectiveness of
synthetic down such as Holofill brand.

I bought a down conforter for my mom. She was reluctant at first, but did
end up trying it. She eventualy came to love it. She refused to abandon her
electric blanket even though I tried to convince her to do without it. (sons
don't control mothers!)  She ended up using the electric blanket UNDER the
down comforter. She would heat up the bed before she got into it and then
turn it off for the rest of the night. That is precicely how you are
supposed to us an electric blanket, and not run it all night. I came to
accept that compromise. To make an electric blanket work optimally, you need
good additional insulation over it.

I was concerned about my mom using the electric blanket. They can cause
problems for older people, even burns.  I have had a few myself over the
years, and the instrunctions all tell you that you are not supposed to run
it all night, even though most people do. I found that I would either be
sweating or freezing in it as it cycled on and off. Sweating can be
dangerous in extreeme cold conditions.

The thermostat knows nothing about body metabolism and I was constantly
adjusting it. They also need to be replaced every couple years because they
wear out quickly. There were little hard plastic connectors that used to
bother me if I happened to roll onto one of them. If you do use one, get the
highest quality brand that you can find and replace it every few years.

I was never much concerned about the electrical consumption. As you say they
do not use much power. They are a good alternative to keeping the whole
rooms heat cranked up high from an energy consumption point of view.

I am suggesting the comforter because it is very effective and very
comfortable. Being more energy efficient is a nice side effect but not the
primary benefit. Comfort is their best feature. They also continue to work
when the power fails for any reason.

I should also mention another cold weather sleeping trick that may be
applicable. I wear a hat or a backlava in extreeme cold. The new Polarfleece
backlavas work the best and are lightweight and itch free. I am intolerent
of wool. Although my body is cozy warm under a comforter (or sleeping bag),
an exposed head and face can keep me awake, especially when trying to sleep
in temperatures below 40F. I use the baclava only when it is very cold. I
sometimes pull the drawstring tight to cinch the face hole until it is so
small that only my nose and mouth are exposed.

Military studies have proven that you loose up to 80% of body heat through
your head, feet and hands, so sleeping with headwear really works wonders.
It does make your hair quite frightful when you awake in the morning, and so
may be less acceptable to a woman.

That reminds me of a third cold sleeping trick.. I bought some down booties
for winter camping. I have to tell you that they are the "BALLS". They are
lightweight and toasty warm. You can wear them around the house like
slippers, and when it's really cold wear them to bed. You feet stay warm if
you have to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. You can
find these at outdoors sporting good stores or order them from places like
"L.L. Bean".  Even if they are not worn to bed, they make great warm house
slippers. The only problem that I have had with them is that I walk around
in them a lot and they get dirty on the bottom because they have cloth
covered bottoms. I pop them in the wash now and then, but they get dirty
pretty fast. Other types have rubberized bottoms, which are better for
outdoor camping. There is nothing like them for staying warm.

My interest and experience in these things is because I do winter campng in
temperatures down to -50F. My very survival depends on effective personal
insulation. But, I have applied these to less extreeme household) conditions
with equally good results. My remote home is still 'under construction, and
is still un-insulated. I have used a down comforter, my down booties and
fleece baclkava to extend my occasional use of the place into the winter
months. But, even after the place is insulated and heated, the comforter and
down booties will remain essential comfort equipment.