Two ways to get warm
A space heater heats the air in a room, and that warm air rises and drifts away. A heated shawl or blanket sits on you and warms your shoulders and back directly, so very little heat is lost on the way.
When the shawl wins
- One person, sitting still: at a desk, on the couch, reading in bed
- Shared rooms where others are already warm
- Rooms with drafts, where heated air leaks away
- When you want to move around the house and take the warmth with you
When the heater wins
- Several people in one room
- A room that’s truly cold, not just a bit chilly
Using a heated shawl safely
- Start on the lowest setting. It warms up quickly; turn it up only if you need to.
- Don’t fold it while it’s on. Folds trap heat in one spot.
- Turn it off before you sleep. Unless the label says it has an auto shut-off for that.
Cheat code
Warm shoulders make your whole body feel warmer. That’s why a shawl works better than a lap blanket for the same power.
