How can I save energy on my water bed?

If you have a water bed, knowing what it costs to operate can be a real eye opener. It uses from 100 to 150 kWh a month depending on whether you make your bed or not.

At Vera’s 2017 rates, it costs between $6.58 and $9.87 monthly to operate a water bed.

If you have two water beds, it could be double trouble. Taking some steps to control these costs can help you have a more restful and inexpensive night’s sleep.

1. Buy the best
   If you’re in the market for a water bed, do your research. Some offer better insulation properties than others which can save you energy and money.
2. Making your bed saves about $5 monthly
   A king-size water bed set at 90°F (with a room temperature of 65°F) covered with a comforter, uses only 100 kWh per month to keep warm. Yet, the same bed unmade uses about 175 kWh per month. That means that by making your bed, you can save about 75 kWh monthly. At Vera’s 2017 rates, that saves you about $5 per month, per bed.
3. Invest in a thicker pad
   Covering your water bed mattress with a one-inch foam pad will save energy. That’s because you can turn down the water bed heater temperature. The foam pad will keep your body away from the cold water in the bed and maintain body heat, keeping you toasty all night long.
4. Monitor your bedroom temperature
   If your bedroom temperature drops, you may spend more on your water bed heater than you would spend on your furnace heating the air in your room.
5. Don’t turn it off
   If you’re gone for a week or longer, lower your waterbed’s thermostat setting but don’t turn it off. It is less expensive to maintain the lower the temperature than to reheat it.