Don't Freeze (or Go Broke): How to Use Korean Floor Heating (Ondol)
It’s your first winter in Korea. You turn on the heater control panel on the wall. The floor gets toasty warm. It feels amazing. A month later, you check your mailbox. The gas bill is 250,000 KRW ($200).
Panic sets in. To avoid this common disaster, you need to understand Ondol (온돌).
How it Works
Unlike Western radiators that heat the air, Korean heating runs hot water through pipes under the floor. It is powered by Gas (usually), not electricity.
The Controller Buttons You Must Know
Nan-bang (난방): Heating mode.
On-su (온수): Hot water (for showers).
Oe-chul (외출): "Going Out" mode. (Use this!)
Jeon-won (전원): Power On/Off.
How to Save Money
Don't turn it OFF completely: If you turn it off when you leave, the water gets ice cold. Re-heating it takes massive amounts of gas. Instead, set it to "Oe-chul" (Going Out) or a low temperature (18°C) when you leave. This keeps the water lukewarm.
Heat the Bed, Not the Room: Use an electric blanket (mat) on your bed for sleeping. Keep the floor heat just high enough to prevent pipes from freezing.
Check for Drafts: Buying "Bubble Wrap" (Bbop-bbop-i) for your windows is a classic Korean winter hack to keep heat inside.
Summary
Floor heating is luxurious, but it burns cash. Be smart with your settings!