Using the heating (boiler)

Holding a steady temperature is generally more efficient than switching the boiler on and off.

Heating in Korea

• Ondol — underfloor heating. It goes with the culture of sitting and sleeping on the floor.
• Individual heating — each home has a boiler and pays gas for what it uses.
• Central or district heating — supplied by the building or complex and included in management fees.

Boiler modes

• Room (heating) mode — works to the room temperature. This is the usual setting.
• Ondol mode — works to the temperature of the floor pipes.
• Away mode — minimal heating to prevent freezing. Use it when leaving home for several days.
• Hot water only — hot water without heating.
• Timer — runs at set times.

Cutting heating costs

1. Hold a sensible indoor temperature. Dressing warmly and setting it slightly lower is more efficient.
2. Block draughts with door strips and window insulation film.
3. Curtains reduce heat loss.
4. Close the valves in rooms you don't use.
5. Humidifying raises the perceived temperature.
6. Check whether you qualify for the energy voucher. See energy-voucher.

Winter warnings

• Freezing — pipes and boilers can freeze in a cold snap. Leave away mode on or let a trickle of water run.
• Gas smell — ventilate at once, close the valve, go outside and report it. See gas-leak.
• Carbon monoxide — never block the boiler room vent. With headache or dizziness, ventilate immediately and call 119.

Where to go

• Landlord or building office (boiler faults)
• 1544-4500 Korea Gas Safety Corporation
• 119 gas leaks and emergencies
• 123 KEPCO (electricity)
• Community centre (energy voucher)

Questions people ask

The boiler has broken. Who fixes it? It often falls under the landlord's duty to repair. Tell them immediately and keep a record. See landlord-dispute.

Is heating included in management fees? With central and district heating, yes. Check your bill. See utility-bills.

Can I leave away mode on permanently? It is useful for long absences. But set too low it risks freezing, so never switch off entirely.

Is there help with heating costs? There are energy vouchers and briquette coupons. Ask your community centre. See energy-voucher and winter-support.

Take care

Never block the boiler room vent. Carbon monoxide poisoning progresses without obvious symptoms and is extremely dangerous. If you wake with headache, vomiting or dizziness, ventilate, get outside and call 119 immediately.

Related

utility-bills · air-conditioning · energy-voucher · gas-leak · cold-wave

Source

Korea Energy Agency www.energy.or.kr / As of 2026-08