Korean Job Discussion Forums

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Ok, I'm sure it's possible, and i seem to remember hearing something about it, but does anyone know actual details about 'Korean style heating' in the West? (specifically in Canada)

Slaps · Joined: 22 Jun 2007 Location: Sitting on top of the world

Just google "underfloor heating canada".

I know that it is becoming very popular in the UK now, especially in newly built apartment buildings.

blade · Joined: 30 Jun 2007

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Rusty Shackleford · Joined: 08 May 2008

It's been relatively common in New Zealand for at least ten years. Mostly in new homes. My family home has had it in the kitchen and bathroom for about 5 years. It's not normally used as the main heating source though.

riverboy · Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Location: Incheon

I have a friend who installs it back East... That sounds strange considering I'm living in the East.

Anyhow, it's pretty pricey, but very efficient. You can even install it in your driveway and eliminate ice build up and even shoveling to a degree.

Stones1962 · Joined: 26 Nov 2008 Location: Europe/Asia

It's common in Scandanavia, has been for decades, if not longer. My apartment in Prague has it.

I asked once about it in Finland and was told it has been used for centuries...who knows....

Poemer · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Location: Mullae

I know it is used in the US sometimes, mostly for bathrooms though, too avoid cold feet in the winter.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

You can get Korean-style aircons in the USA too (hang on the wall) but they want crazy amounts of money for them. I laugh when I see the prices they ask.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

I was thinking of building it into a basement suite (for the in-laws).

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

riverboy · Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Location: Incheon

Rusty Shackleford · Joined: 08 May 2008

riverboy · Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Location: Incheon

suadente · Joined: 27 Sep 2004

My parents have radiant floor heating in their house.

It was expensive to install, they only put it in the kitchen and bathrooms but it cost more than their furnace that heats the rest of the house.

But would installing it in a basement be the best idea? There's still moisture in the ground in winter, and water conducts heat better than air. Wouldn't a lot of your heat get absorbed into the earth? And also, wouldn't air circulation be important in a basement? I think a forced air furnace would be better.