Latest news with #winterEssentials
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
My urgent warning to everyone shopping at Kmart this winter: 'I know it's $15 but do not use it'
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.' 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. 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.
News.com.au
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘Winter must have!': Viral Kmart item solves common office problem
There's a truth universally acknowledged: no matter if it's the peak of summer or the depths of winter, the office airconditioning will always be freezing cold. While layering up in jumpers or clutching a cup of tea can help take the edge off, sometimes, you just need something a little extra. Like a miniature heater sitting on top of desk, blasting hot air directly in your face. No, really. Kmart has just brought out a mini heater designed for your desk, answering the prayers of thousands of Aussies around the country. It's already been dubbed it the 'must-have' item of the chilly season. TikToker Britt Bevan took to the platform recently to share the find – and it has since gone absolutely gangbusters. In the clip, she shows off the $12 gadget, as well as a $42 heated throw, to 'Kmart has come through,' she declared. 'It was absolutely freezing in the office this morning, I couldn't type an email'. Then at ten past nine, she got fed up and went to Kmart to try and fix her issue. After buying both winter goodies, she joked that she could 'probably claim it on tax'. She admitted she did look a bit odd with her temperature-regulating set-up, but she didn't care one bit because it worked an absolute treat. She even said a few of her colleagues ended up grabbing the heater for themselves. And the envy kept coming in the comments, with fellow chilly workers gushing over the discovery, saying, 'need this in my life' and 'so cute'. 'The sign I needed to pick one up for the office!' someone else said. Others asked what everyone was thinking: 'Is it quiet?' to which Ms Bevan replied, 'Fairly quiet, no louder than a fan'. According to Kmart, designing this new fan-favourite was all about practicality. A spokesperson told 'The heater was designed to be small enough to fit on any workspace, powerful enough to keep your hands warm on chilly mornings, and quiet enough to fade into the background (unless, of course, it's turning heads at the office!)' When the brand released other complementary products like the $35 heated throw and the woolier $42 one, it was thinking about creating a work set up that's 'all about comfort and convenience – without the hefty price tag'. 'Whether you're powering through emails or winding down with a good book, the Kmart Desktop Heater adds a comforting touch of warmth to your personal space,' the spokesperson said. For those curious about the specs, the Kmart Desktop Heater is just 18.7cm high, 11.7cm wide, and 10.3cm deep – making it the perfect fit for even the most cluttered desks. It operates on standard 230-240V power and delivers between 550 and 600 watts of warmth, with an adjustable nozzle and safety features to prevent overheating. As for the throws, they work similarly to an electric blanket and have nine different heat settings to get the temp just right.
