Kmart, Bunnings warning over $15 purchase causing bill shock for shoppers: 'Can add hundreds'

Yahoo

4 days ago

Australians have been sounding the alarm about cheap heaters from retailers like Kmart to keep warm this winter. Parts of Australia have shivered through some of the coldest mornings of the year recently, and many wouldn't think twice about chucking on their heater to beat the chill.
But you need to be careful about the heater or radiator you purchase, as it can cost you dearly. CHOICE has reviewed certain models in the past, and a spokesperson for the consumer group told Yahoo Finance Aussies get a huge shock each year when they pick the wrong one.
"This doesn't just apply to Kmart heaters, though. Electric heaters are cheap to buy and easy to install, but they can also be one of the least efficient ways to heat your home," they said.
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"If you buy an inefficient model, it can add hundreds of dollars to your energy bill over the winter."
Numerous videos have been posted to TikTok from Aussies who bought cheap heaters in the past few months to stave off the effects of winter.
Many remarked how their electricity bill spiked massively, some by as much as $1,000, and they suspected it was because they were running these heaters for a few hours a day.Brooke worked out that she used her $15 heater for four to five full days in one month, and her energy bill was $176 more expensive than the previous month.
Many pointed the finger at Kmart's heaters, because they are dirt cheap compared to other retailers.
You can pick up a desktop heater from Kmart for just $12, a 5-fin oil heater for $39, and a mock fireplace, which is one of its most expensive heaters, for $65.
Bunnings also sells cheap heaters for between $15 to $99.
But many shoppers weren't aware that these short-term cheap buys end up costing them much more in the long run.
Why do some cheap heaters spike your electricity bill?
It all comes down to how much energy they use to operate.
When you're shopping for heaters or radiators, it's worth looking at the wattage required for them to run, as that will allow you to work out how much electricity they'll use over a certain time frame.
Sarah Aubrey noticed this when she was perusing the aisles of Bunnings last year to find a heater.
"I'm just so shocked by how energy-hungry they are," she said.
"[They're] proudly displaying 2,000 watts, that is so expensive to run. So you run that for one hour, that's 2 kilowatt hours."
Some Kmart and Bunnings heaters require around 1,800 to 2,000 watts to run; however, others, still in the cheap zone, only require as little as 550 watts.
A 2,000-watt fan heater would cost around $408 to run over the three months of winter, according to CHOICE. Comparatively, an 800-watt heater would only cost you around $83 to run for four hours every day during winter.
People can often spike their electricity bills unnecessarily by using the wrong heater for the required room.
Picking the right heater for the right purpose
Different heaters have different purposes.
If you had a small bedroom with not much window space, you could use a tiny, fan-based heater to stave off the chill. You would only need to run it for less than an hour to heat up the room.
"If you are heating a room that's about 20 square metres or smaller, a less powerful heater with a capacity of around 1,000–1,500 watts is all you need," CHOICE said.
The consumer group said if you wanted to leave the heater on all night but didn't want to take up too much electricity, then a convection heater, such as an oil column heater or panel heater, would be a better option.
Some of these also work on a timer so that they turn off after you've fallen asleep and turn on just before you wake up.
An oil column heater typically uses 1,620 watts per hour, and would cost $324 to run during winter. A panel heater is closer to 2,000 watts per hour and costs roughly $398 to operate for three months.
But if the room was much bigger, like a kitchen, living or dining room, you would need something more substantial.
"For a large living area, you'll need a high-wattage heater (ideally 2400W) with a good fan to distribute the hot air," CHOICE home heating expert Chris Barnes said.
"A convection heater such as a panel or oil column heater with a fan, or a tower fan, is usually the best option here."
You could also get a reverse-cycle split-system, but that might not be in everyone's budget or living arrangements.
CHOICE added that just because a fan, heater, or radiator might be expensive, it doesn't necessarily mean it will be cheap to run or effective at warming a room.
Cheaper ways to stay warm in winter this year
There are plenty of methods to beat the chill this winter without seeing your energy bill go up massively.
CHOICE suggested looking at sealing draughts in your home to ensure the heat isn't escaping under doors or through windows. Buying a door snake can help address that issue.
You can also switch your ceiling fan into reverse so that the blades push the warm air back towards the floor.
Electric blankets can also help during winter as they cost around $20 per season to run for a single bed.
You could also use a hot water bottle when you go to sleep or to have on your lap if you're working from home.
You can check out other methods that could shave off $470 from your bill here.Sign in to access your portfolio