Avoid the 'Heating Bill Bomb'... Wear Thermal Underwear and Set Up a Tent in the Bedroom

Energy Supply Shortage and Cold Wave Drive Up Heating Costs
Sharing 'Heating Cost Saving' Tips on SNS as a Self-Help Measure

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Recently, as heating costs have surged, more consumers are seeking cold-weather products. In the face of high inflation and rapidly rising living expenses, ordinary people are looking for self-help measures.

According to the Korea City Gas Association, the retail price of city gas in Seoul this month is 19.69 won per megajoule (MJ, a unit of gas calorific value). This is a 38.4% increase compared to the same period last year (14.22 won). The main reason for the rise in gas prices is the acceleration of the global energy supply shortage due to the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war, which caused domestic LNG (liquefied natural gas) import costs to surge to 56.7 billion dollars (about 70 trillion won).

On top of this, an unprecedented cold wave that necessitates heating has struck. Given this situation, demand for alternative cold-weather and heating products that can help save on living expenses is increasing. Internet shopping mall 11st analyzed category transaction amounts from the 22nd to the 25th of this month and reported that the transaction amount for thermal products significantly increased compared to the previous week (15th to 18th). In the case of daily goods store Asung Daiso, sales of door draft stoppers, bubble wrap (air caps), and insulating wallpaper in the door draft stopper category increased by 5% from the previous week (9th to 14th) to the period from the 16th to the 21st.

As a cold wave sweeps across the country, increasing the burden of heating costs, on the afternoon of the 25th, a maintenance fee notice is placed in the mailbox of a 30-pyeong apartment in downtown Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Gmarket showed a similar trend. Sales of cold-weather products increased by up to 80% compared to the same period (18th to 21st) of the previous week. Sales of heating devices increased in the following order: ▲hand warmers (83% increase compared to the same period) ▲electric heaters (62%) ▲fan heaters (58%) ▲foot warmers (56%) ▲stoves (48%) ▲water heaters (42%). Sales of heating mats increased as follows: ▲electric mats (65%) ▲water mats (58%) ▲electric blankets (53%) ▲electric cushions (39%). Sales of door draft stoppers and windproof vinyl, which block cold air coming through door gaps, also increased by 68% and 65%, respectively.

Meanwhile, information on how to save on heating costs and reduce living expenses is also being actively shared on online communities. Stories range from firmly attaching air caps to windows to lower heating temperatures even slightly, to sharing personal experiences of increasing perceived temperature by layering thin clothing such as thermal underwear.

There was also a story shared about an office worker who set up a tent on their bed and endured the cold inside it. A worker in their 20s, who revealed they live in a villa, recently purchased a heating tent and explained that closing the tent door helps retain warmth and improve heat efficiency. They said they use an electric mat inside the tent and have lowered the indoor boiler temperature to 15 degrees Celsius (the minimum).

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the cause of this cold wave is that after the cold air that brought the Arctic cold wave moved east of Japan, the remaining cold air over the northern continent is now pushing back toward South Korea. The Meteorological Administration warned that the cold felt throughout the weekend will be severe and urged people to pay close attention to keeping warm.