The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    INTERVIEWAhn Hyo-seop wanted to share dedicated love with 'A Time Called You'

  • 3

    SHINee launches first Japan tour in 5 years

  • 5

    Korea makes last-ditch bid to host World Expo 2030 in Busan

  • 7

    Heavy traffic jams mostly eased on 5th day of holiday

  • 9

    Public transit fares to increase in Seoul and Busan this week

  • 11

    Samsung chief visits Middle East to explore new businesses

  • 13

    Korea picks up 2 medals in table tennis as gold drought continues

  • 15

    Ruling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operations

  • 17

    Shin-Hanul No. 2 nuclear reactor begins testing for full operation next year

  • 19

    4 injured in rockfall at tourist attraction on eastern island of Ulleung

  • 2

    Korea's Coast Guard apprehends 22 Chinese after illegal entry attempt

  • 4

    Distraught roller skater apologizes for costly premature celebration

  • 6

    S. Korea wins 1st table tennis gold in 21 yrs

  • 8

    Consumers to face higher prices for daily necessities after Chuseok

  • 10

    LA-based photographer captures Koreatown unfazed by pandemic

  • 12

    No regrets for roller skaters after taking silver in relay

  • 14

    National Assembly speeds up efforts to outlaw dog meat consumption in Korea

  • 16

    'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman' tops Chuseok holiday box office

  • 18

    Internet-only banks outperform legacy lenders in labor productivity

  • 20

    Genesis GV80 Coupe looks to compete with Mercedes-Benz, BMW

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
Wed, October 4, 2023 | 19:26
Companies
People attempt to cut surging heating costs with creative solutions
Posted : 2023-01-27 08:49
Updated : 2023-02-01 10:15
Lee Kyung-min
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link

                                                                                                 A tent set up inside a bedroom for the provision of extra heat. Korea Times file
A tent set up inside a bedroom for the provision of extra heat. Korea Times file

By Lee Kyung-min

A man in his 20s, surnamed Kim, has set up a tent over his bed, a decision he said has greatly helped with the recent cold wave. He lives alone in a small housing unit that provides centralized heating.

"I was unsure about it at first," he said. "But now that I have used it for a couple of days, I understand why this was so popular online. It's better than you think. I highly recommend it."

He had set the thermostat to 15 degrees Celsius, the lowest manually settable temperature and seldom comes out from the tent once he is in.

The plastic material of the tent is not at all breathable, effectively trapping the air and body heat inside. Prices vary, but they can go for as low as about 25,000 won including shipping.

"I don't think higher prices in this case necessarily guarantee that they do a better job of keeping the air warm. Items cheaper than 30,000 won should be enough."

Setting up a tent in a bedroom seemed a little too desperate at first, he said. But that quickly changed when he received a gas bill that cost him almost double the rate from a year earlier ― in December.

"I am one of many who were stunned ― to say the least ― to see December's gas bill. I heard the rates will go up this year because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which is not likely to end any time soon. Not having heating is not an option, especially given the recent brutal cold wave. This is the least I can do to help cut costs."

                                                                                                 A tent set up inside a bedroom for the provision of extra heat. Korea Times file
Winter-clothed commuters cross a street in downtown Seoul, Wednesday. The temperature dropped to an intra-day low of minus 17.3 degrees Celsius. Korea Times file

Koreans stunned by spike in heating costs
Koreans stunned by spike in heating costs
2023-01-26 08:15  |  Companies

Similarly, a woman surnamed Choi, bought a tent for her two elementary school children.

In her view ― and as the cost of living soars ― there are certain cuts that people cannot make. Heating and air conditioning are such, especially for parents with little kids. But she has had to find ways to cut costs, after she received a gas bill that was unexpectedly high and unavoidable.

"I was not unprepared for this sudden surge in heating costs. The tents had good reviews online. After using them for myself for some time, I don't think it's that bad of a choice, or that I should feel sad about my circumstances. I'm glad my kids love them. They say they feel like they are on a camping trip."

She is finding other ways to save money, mostly through tips from online communities.

"There is news about electricity rates again going up in the months to come. I need to find ways to save any way I can, or I won't be able to pay the bills."

One of them is resetting the hot water temperature to 40 degrees Celsius, down from 60 degrees Celsius, a useful tip she found online.

Boiling the water takes up a lot of energy and setting it to a lower temperature will save heating costs, according to a post shared by online communities.

Using insulating curtains, tapes, films and strips on the windows are among ways shared by many to keep the cold air out.

"My husband's salary has not inched up. There are fixed costs to spend every month. The prices of everything are going up except my husband's income. I think many people feel the same."

Korea imported $56.7 billion (70 trillion won) worth of liquid natural gas (LNG) last year. The all-time-high figure since 1956 was up 84.4 percent from the year before. Gas rates soared 38.4 percent over the past year from 2021. Korea relies on imports to meet over 93 percent of its energy needs.

Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS) registered an operating loss of 8.8 trillion won last year, a sharp increase from 1.8 trillion won in 2021.

Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) is believed to have reported a 34 trillion won operating loss last year. It is expected to report an operating loss of 18 trillion won this year.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in December of last year that 2023 will see energy rate increases 1.5 to 1.9 times steeper compared to 2022.



Emaillkm@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
LG
Top 10 Stories
1Public transit fares to increase in Seoul and Busan this week Public transit fares to increase in Seoul and Busan this week
2Ruling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operations Ruling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operations
3Genesis GV80 Coupe looks to compete with Mercedes-Benz, BMW Genesis GV80 Coupe looks to compete with Mercedes-Benz, BMW
4Korean steelmakers on alert over initiation of EU carbon border tariff Korean steelmakers on alert over initiation of EU carbon border tariff
5Korean shipbuilders seek lead over Chinese rivals in selling LNG carriers to Qatar Korean shipbuilders seek lead over Chinese rivals in selling LNG carriers to Qatar
630 out of 74 major financial companies lack female board member 30 out of 74 major financial companies lack female board member
7Hyundai, Kia to extend earnings rally on strengthening dollar, solid sales Hyundai, Kia to extend earnings rally on strengthening dollar, solid sales
8Lawmakers want chairmen of financial firms held accountable over misconduct Lawmakers want chairmen of financial firms held accountable over misconduct
9Dong-A Socio Group’s honorary chairman passes away at 96Dong-A Socio Group’s honorary chairman passes away at 96
10Returning home from Chuseok holiday Returning home from Chuseok holiday
Top 5 Entertainment News
1TREASURE takes flak for excluding Dokdo from its Japan tour map TREASURE takes flak for excluding Dokdo from its Japan tour map
2Two artists' windows to light and serenity Two artists' windows to light and serenity
3Crime thriller, romance series set to roll out in October Crime thriller, romance series set to roll out in October
4Korean literature featured as animation works at Incheon Airport Korean literature featured as animation works at Incheon Airport
5[PHOTOS] Kep1er returns with 'Magic Hour' to mesmerize fans PHOTOSKep1er returns with 'Magic Hour' to mesmerize fans
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group