How to Use a Korean Boiler
Most Korean homes are heated through the floor (called ondol), controlled by a small panel on the wall — usually near the kitchen or entrance.
Common buttons
| Korean label | Meaning | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| 전원 | Power | Turns the boiler on/off |
| 난방 | Heating | Floor heating mode |
| 온수 | Hot water | Hot water only (no floor heating) |
| 외출 | Away | Low heat to prevent freezing while you're out |
| 예약 | Timer | Heats on a repeating schedule |
| ▲ / ▼ | Up / Down | Change the target temperature |
Quick steps
- Press 전원 (Power) if the screen is off.
- Press 난방 (Heating) and set the temperature with ▲ / ▼. Around 22–25°C is comfortable.
- Floor heating is slow — give it 30–60 minutes to warm up.
- For a shower only, use 온수 (Hot water) mode.
No hot water?
- Check the panel is on and not in 외출 (Away) mode.
- Wait a minute after turning on the tap — hot water takes time to arrive.
- If an error code is shown, send a photo of the panel to your host or building manager.