A $15 winter ‘essential’ from Kmart is causing major regret for some Aussie shoppers, who are learning the hard way that budget buys can come with sky-high consequences – namely, exorbitant electricity bills.
A number of Aussies who are feeling the winter chill have taken to social media in recent days, urging followers to not make the same mistake as they did.
They are warning shoppers not to be fooled by the low price tag of Kmart’s popular portable fan heater, cautioning that it may be guzzling power at an alarming rate.
One of the warnings comes from Sydney-based mum Jaz, who posted a now-viral PSA video that’s been viewed more than 545,000 times.
‘Quick PSA for some of you girlies that are spending your first winter out of home,’ Jaz said. ‘Do not use the Kmart heater. I know they’re $15 – don’t use it.’
She goes on to explain that despite only using the compact fan heater briefly to warm her bedroom at night, the results were financially devastating.
‘Winter living in Sydney I used a Kmart heater just to heat up my room every night, it wasn’t even on for that long and my power bill was $1000 for a month,’ she said in disbelief.
‘Just get some fluffy socks, a dressing gown, an Oodie and you’ll be alright. Hot chocolates are way cheaper than a Kmart heater.’
Sydney-based mum Jaz (pictured) took to social media in recent days, urging followers to not make the same mistake as she did by using her $15 Kmart fan heater too much
Jaz’s video sparked a wave of similar confessions in the comments, with young renters and students echoing the same horror stories of bill shock after plugging in the seemingly innocent white plastic fan heater, which is available in-store and online.
Another Sydney woman, Harriet Burns, posted her own TikTok shortly after, confirming to FEMAIL that her friends were also left out of pocket due to the energy-sapping device.
‘$15 to buy, $500 to run,’ Harriet captioned the video of her snuggled in a large, fluffy pink dressing gown instead of relying on her heater for warmth.
While Kmart’s budget heater boasts portability and instant warmth, what it lacks is energy efficiency.
The appliance, like most small fan heaters, uses resistive heating, meaning it draws a lot of power in a short amount of time – often between 1800 to 2400 watts per hour.
That’s significantly more than other home appliances like fridges or LED lights.
When left on for even a couple of hours each night, especially in poorly insulated homes or bedrooms with single-pane windows, the cost adds up rapidly.
If you’re charged on a time-of-use electricity plan, running it during peak hours (typically early evening) only worsens the damage to your bank account.
Despite only using the compact fan heater briefly to warm her bedroom at night, Jaz said the results were financially devastating after receiving a $1000 power bill for the month
Another Sydney woman, Harriet Burns, posted her own TikTok shortly after, confirming to FEMAIL that her friends were also left out of pocket due to the energy-sapping device – ‘$15 to buy, $500 to run,’ Harriet captioned the video
In Australia, electricity bills are typically issued on a quarterly basis, which can make it even easier for costs to accumulate unnoticed, especially for first-time renters or those adjusting to life out of home.
However, many providers now offer monthly billing options, particularly for customers with smart meters that allow regular tracking of electricity usage.
For renters or families concerned about their winter costs blowing out unexpectedly, monthly bills can be a safer way to monitor and adjust usage in real-time.
If you’re worried about mounting bills during such a cost-of-living crunch, it might be time to look at other alternatives to surviving the winter chill at home.
Layered clothing like thermals, socks, and robes, switching to an electric blanket (which cost significantly less per hour to run), reverse-cycle air conditioners that are more efficient in heating mode if used correctly, and draft stoppers and door seals to retain heat in smaller spaces.
And as Jaz wisely pointed out, sometimes a hot chocolate and a pair of fuzzy socks really is the cheaper way to go.
With Sydney’s chillier months still lingering, it might be time to think twice before hitting add to cart before you’ve done your research.
