How much does heating cost in a Korean apartment during winter, and how can I use ondol floor heating and electricity efficiently to keep costs down?

Winter heating in a Korean apartment can range from manageable to brutal depending on insulation, apartment size, and how you use it. For a typical 84 square meter apartment using ondol gas heating, expect monthly bills of 150,000 to 350,000 won in the coldest months (December to February), with newer buildings on the lower end and older ones much higher.

Key ondol tips. The most efficient approach is to keep the temperature consistent at 19 to 21 degrees rather than turning it on and off. Heating a cold floor from scratch uses far more energy than maintaining a steady temperature. Use the timer (예약) function to lower temperatures slightly when sleeping or away.

Close off unused rooms by shutting their valves on the central distributor (usually near the kitchen or boiler). Only heating the rooms you use can cut bills 30 to 40 percent. Insulate windows with bubble wrap or thermal film (단열 시트), available cheaply at Daiso or Coupang. Door drafts can be sealed with foam tape.

For electric heating supplements, use a small electric mat (전기 매트) on your bed and an oil heater or small ceramic heater in the room you spend most time. Wearing indoor padded slippers and layering also reduces the temptation to crank the floor heat.