Korean Job Discussion Forums

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

In the next couple of weeks it's going to get cold enough to turn on your ondol (under-floor heating).

I've picked up some confusion among foreigners (especially newbies) about just how the system works so I thought some old-timers here could clear up some questions.

The general advice from Koreans I've spoken to is that the best and most economical thing to do is,

turn it on October/November,
set it to the desired temperature (20C-21C is usually enough),
then,
leave it on all the time. Right the way through to March/April next year.

The idea is that if you turn it off, say when you go to work, then turn it on later that night, you will use way too much gas getting the floor warm again.

I can testify to this as my first winter in Korea I did the daily turn on/turn off thing and I remember getting huge monthly gas bills. More than 100,000 for each of Dec-Jan-Feb.

My second winter here I just set the theromstat and didn't touch it again untill the next spring. My gas bill was cut by more than half.

Suggestions?

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

matko · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: in a world of hurt!

The best thing about Korea!!!!!

God I miss those floors!!!!! Bloody Japan is the second biggest economy in the world and yet winters feel like camping in your own apartment!!!

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

I believe I live in Korea, but if you can believe it, my dormitory doesn't have ondol heating. I really miss ondal heating, it is one of the great things about this country.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2003 2:22 am Post subject:

120,000 won does about 6 months in my apartment, and I do the on/off thing. Thing is...I barely use it, really; in fact, I use a fan throughout the winter, partly for white noise, partly for the breeze.

kimcheeking · Guest

I have friends with ondol heating in Winnipeg. It's new in Canada and catching on. When I told them that it was orginally Korean they were surprised.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: South Korea

I use those electric reflection heaters as the heat is instant and the operating cost is way down on ondol heating.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Who do we believe here? the on/off theorists(Zyzfer) or the on/on theorists? (eamo). I find it hard to believe korean advice anymore. next they'll be telling us never to leave a fan on while we sleep.

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

desultude · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2003 4:53 am Post subject:

I would love to leave mine on, but my downstairs neighbor keeps her apartment so hot that I am too warm without ever turning on the heat. I would like to warm the floor, but it just overheats my apartment. I usually have my door open (to the balcony) and sometimes use a fan. At least it keeps my heating bills low.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

Confession:

My first summer in Korea, I left the heated floor on from May to August.

Embarassed

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

Just another thing on the underfloor heating is that it depends on how big your place is and how well the underfloor heating works. In my last place I could put on for an hour when I got home and it would be nice and toasty.

In my new place I've been advised that it takes a while to heat up so it's best to leave it on low and turn it up when desired.

Also if you find that after turning your underfloor heating on it isn't working (you should be able to feel where the pipes are on the floor) try turning an orange (well at least mine was) valve that should be under the sink or some place like that as some people shut off the gas in summer.

CLG