Ondol Floor Heating
Korea heats from the floor, not the air. Here's how it works.
How ondol works
Hot water pipes run under your floor. A gas boiler heats the water and circulates it. The entire floor becomes a radiator. That's why Koreans sit and sleep on the floor.
How to control
Wall thermostat (보일러 리모컨)
Usually near entrance. Buttons: 전원 (power), 온도↑↓, 외출 (away mode), 예약 (timer)
Recommended: 22–24°C
Each +1°C = ~10% more gas bill
외출 mode (away)
Keeps pipes from freezing at minimal cost. Use when leaving for hours.
Save money
- • Use timer — heat before you wake up, turn off when leaving
- • 22°C is comfortable with socks. Don't go above 25°C.
- • Close doors to unused rooms
- • Never turn completely OFF in winter (pipes can freeze = expensive repair)
- • Use 외출 mode instead of off
Warning: Frozen pipes
If you leave your apartment in winter with heating OFF, pipes can freeze and burst. Repair costs ₩500,000+. Always use 외출 mode or set to minimum 15°C.