Mine is also a Sunbeam, also about 4 or 5 seasons old. From Kohls. It still works fine for both sides. I forget what brand our previous one was, but same same again -- after maybe 5 seasons my DH's side barely worked.

Even if the best of them only last 4 or 5 years, I'll keep replacing them as they fail. Nothing better on a cold (or just chilly) night than a warmed up bed.

I dont have a heated mattress pad. I. Hot natured but my SO is very cold natured and the AC in the summer can be too much for him and he is miserable in the colder months. I always prepare some hot water bottles and tuck them under the covers on his side of the bed a couple hours before he usually get in.

I also have a large heating pad I bought from Amazon that I will use sometimes instead of the water bottles. Seems easier.

https://www.amazon.com/Ruqiji-Fast-Heating-Technology-Temperature-Microplush/dp/B07RYRVK27/ref=sxts_rp_s_a1_0?content-id=amzn1.sym.3c8dfbac-8741-40f7-ac26-702635b84b32%3Aamzn1.sym.3c8dfbac-8741-40f7-ac26-702635b84b32&crid=1N4R3FS4Q4O4D&cv_ct_cx=heating+pad&keywords=heating+pad&pd_rd_i=B07RYRVK27&pd_rd_r=c7c08386-4bca-48fb-b2d5-e558b5053d83&pd_rd_w=oe8CL&pd_rd_wg=T5qif&pf_rd_p=3c8dfbac-8741-40f7-ac26-702635b84b32&pf_rd_r=B85SYK6JQVPNXW0D11SY&psc=1&qid=1653875002&sprefix=heatibg+%2Caps%2C159&sr=1-1-ea136695-3596-4534-80e7-1570345d02b9

Amylou, mine is a queen bed so the pad has dual controls. The temperature separation is pretty sharp, one side's heat doesn't impact the other side. (Once in a while one of us will forget to turn on both sides of the bed, and the 'losers' side is stone cold.) It has 10 heat levels. 'High' heats up that side of the bed within 10 minutes. Low level, say 2 or 3, is just barely warm.

I understand you have a routine that works for you, but if you ever feel like trying a possibly easier way, I highly recommend it.

My last one was a Sunbeam, and when it stopped working I bought a smaller one, designed to be used at the foot of the bed. This works out a lot better for me, as all the heat is where I really want it. This, too, is a Sunbeam.

When I tried to provide a link to it, and couldn't find one anywhere. I hope this doesn't mean they've been discontinued.

I'm still using 'my half' of the king size electric blanket my DM gave us 45 years ago. I have it under the mattress pad. You might have better luck with an electric *blanket*, provided they are still manufactured.

How about a down duvet? It would be safer.

I have a duvet cover, Elmer, it's not the same. I just use it to warm the bed up, otherwise I wake up in a sweat, which has happened a few times when I fell asleep right away. That doesn't happen very often.

Is a duvet cover the same as a duvet? What I'm describing is like a big flat down jacket, with compartments stuffed with down that can cover the bed. They're not real thick and are light and fluffy. I find "comforters" not comforting, too heavy.

The key to using a duvet is to regulate the temperature by adjusting how much or how little of the body is covered. Usually done by sticking out foot(feet) or leg(legs). It takes some trial and error but is do-able.

I personally dislike synthetic fabrics so that a down duvet, or a thermal cotton blanket or two (like in hospitals, the thinner the better) or if it's quite cold, an old fashioned wool blanket, are what I find work best for me.

I meant duvet with a cover. It isn't down, not sure what it's made of.