Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Enigma]

I live in an older apartment, and like most older apartments in Korea, it's bloody cold in the winter. I have a heater that I use in my bedroom, but I wouldn't mind spending a few bucks to insulate my apartment a little better to keep the cold out and the heat in.
Do any of you have any suggestions for insulating an apartment that aren't going to break the bank?

Thanks

[Swampfox10mm]

Buy the window kits at emart. They really make a huge diff.

And remember.. . Electricity is expensive here. Do not think you are saving money by running an electric heater.

[lemak]

Bubble wrap, baby!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-insulate-with-bubble-wr-99849

Those massive Korean balcony windows are appalling for keeping the heat in and cold out. Bubble wrap works well and will keep you apartment a few degrees warmer.

*edit* and don't forget most of the doors don't seal well....often a centimeter gap between them and the walls. Taping or stuff tissue or towel around the edges will make a huge difference in stopping the cold breeze leaking through.

[Cacille]

Take a REALLY CLOSE LOOK at the seals between the door edge. Bottom, top, sides. Look at how much of a gap there is. Light- does it come through the edges? It shouldn't much at all. Go into your local 1000won shop or mart. In the area of tools/home improvement or something, look for window/door weatherstripping. It's wrapped in a circle in a small package, of different widths. If it's a big gap, get thicker. If it's small, get thin. If it's tiny but you feel cold coming through, get just a thin strip of plastic to attach to it.
Oh, even if you live in an apartment with your door on the inside of hallway - well they don't heat hallways. It'll still help to put weatherstripping up.

For windows - That plastic stuff that has been mentioned. Also, bubblewrap is a great idea. However, the TAPE may be an issue. YOU need to find double-sided tape (which does exist in this country, I've seen it used by my co teacher and I'm in a rural area). DO. NOT. USE. DUCT. TAPE. OR. PACKING. TAPE. It will fall apart in a bad way in the spring when you take it down. You'll wanna attach the tape to the plastic/metal/combo of the windows. Not on the walls at all.

Other issues with cold coming through someplace else weird? Ask me. I'll have ideas you can use. I used to work for the past eight years at two major home improvement places, in the departments that dealt directly with this issue. I also was a house painter for five of those years at the same time. I dealt with issues like this with clients in the line of my work.

[Swampfox10mm]

Another huge tip: Run a humidifier.

Keeping the humidity between 48 to 55 percent will make your home feel a lot toastier. Makes a huge difference. Just be sure to clean out the humidifier twice per week by sloshing clear water through it, dumping old water, and wiping down quickly with a wet tissue where possible.

DO NOT use any of the anti-bacterial liquids that were made ILLEGAL here in Korea last year due to serious health problems they were found to cause. Some stores and online merchants are still trying to pawn them off on the public rather than take a hit on owning the crap.

[fustiancorduroy]

Get an apartment with double-pane windows. Better yet, get an apartment with two layers of double-pane windows. Then you won't have any problems with cold or need extra insulation.

[highstreet]

They sell 3M double sided tape.

Or you could just move to a new apt, cause that's such a helpful idea.

[Weigookin74]

[alongway]

Don't run a humidifier without checking your actual humidity first. A lot of people need a dehumidifier in Korea as they get condensation on their walls and mold during the winter.

[Swampfox10mm]

[ewlandon]

any tips for mold (sorry to derail). My apt gets super moldy in winter. I actually had to throw away some jackets and a suitecase because they got mold all over them.

My bathroom walls turn colors and now there is a black spot on my ceiling in my bedroom.




How do you stop it so it doesnt keep ruining my clothes and breathing.

[Kimchifart]

[Enigma]

Thanks to everyone for all of the replies. They're very helpful.

I actually picked up some of that weather-stripping last week and put some of it up on the window frames, however I have to pick up some more. When I bought it (at Home-Plus) I remember seeing 2 kinds. I know it comes in different lengths, widths and thicknesses, but these were 2 different kinds of the same brand, as if they were 2 different materials or had 2 different purposes. I didn't look closely so I'm not sure what the difference was. The kind I got is called 문풍지, but I can't remember what the other one was called. Does anyone know if the difference is important, and if so, which one do I want?

Thanks again

[Lazio]

[ajuma]