Shall We Switch to Carbon Heating Mats for This Winter?

3rd Generation Gidulami Heated Mat
Lower Electricity Cost Than Hot Water Mats and Emits Far-Infrared Radiation
No Fire Risk and Machine Washable

2022 Model 3rd Generation Carbon Mat by Gidulami.
Photo by Gidulami

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Gidulami is leading the domestic heated mat market with its third-generation heated mat, the 'Carbon Mat.'

According to Gidulami on the 2nd, the '2022 Gidulami Carbon Mat Ondol,' released last September, accounted for 30% of Gidulami's October sales, showing its popularity. This product is a new version of the carbon mat launched last year, using a special carbon heating wire made of advanced aramid fiber, which is five times stronger than steel, eliminating concerns about wire breakage and fire.

Unlike first-generation electric mats, the carbon mat is safe from electromagnetic waves and emits far-infrared radiation heat beneficial to the human body, creating an environment conducive to deep sleep. Like second-generation water mats, it does not use water, so there is no need to worry about leakage, bacterial growth, or water removal and replenishment. Operating at a low voltage of 25.5V, even with 8 hours of daily use, the monthly electricity cost is about 1,200 won, which is one-third of that of water mats.

Made with premium Tencel fabric from the global textile company Lenzing, the mat feels as soft as silk, has excellent absorbency and breathability, and can be machine washed if it gets dirty. It also features various convenience functions such as an 'automatic temperature control system' that sets the optimal sleep temperature according to sleep patterns, a heating mode, dimming (screen off when not in use), touch wake (screen on when touched), and separate left-right temperature control.

A Gidulami official said, "Since October, sales of carbon mats have rapidly increased, making it challenging to meet the supply volume for dealerships," adding, "Carbon mats accounted for 30% of Gidulami's October sales, and we expect this proportion to continue growing."

Gidulami entered the heated mat market in 2011 by launching the industry's first water mat. The second-generation water mat, which replaced electric mats blamed for electromagnetic wave emissions, circulates water heated by a small electric boiler through pipes embedded in the mat for heating, operating similarly to a home boiler.

In 2013, Kyungdong Navien and Daesung Celtic also joined the water mat market. However, Gidulami exited the water mat business after 2019, recognizing the inherent limitations of water mats such as leakage, bacterial growth, water removal and replenishment, and slow heating, and shifted its business direction to carbon mats.

When Gidulami Boiler became the first in the boiler industry to launch a carbon mat, Kyungdong Navien, which had focused on the water mat business, also released the 'DC Heated Mat,' entering the carbon mat competition. The competition between Gidulami, leading the heated mat market trend, and latecomers is expanding the market.

A Gidulami Boiler official stated, "Entering the second year since the carbon mat launch, consumers are sharing positive usage experiences, gradually increasing favorability toward the product," and predicted, "With competitors joining the carbon mat market, carbon mats will rapidly replace water mats."