How to Use Korean Air-Conditioning: A Complete Guide for Expats

If you’re living in Korea or just visiting during the hot summer months, you’ll notice that most homes, offices, and public spaces rely heavily on air-conditioning (에어컨, aeokeon).

But unlike many Western countries where units are remote-controlled, Korean systems often use wall-mounted panels, especially for ceiling air conditioners.

This guide will explain:

• The different types of Korean air-conditioning

• How to use wall-mounted controllers

• Key Korean words and buttons you’ll see

• Pictures for easy reference

• Energy-saving tips

  
  

Types of Air-Conditioning in Korea

1. Wall-Mounted Air Conditioner (벽걸이 에어컨, byeok-geori aeokeon)

   • Found in smaller apartments and rooms

   • Controlled with a remote (리모컨, rimokeon)

2. Ceiling Air Conditioner (천장형 에어컨, cheonjanghyeong aeokeon)

   • Common in offices, classrooms, and modern apartments

   • Controlled by a wall-mounted control panel (벽걸이 조작기, byeok-geori jojakgi)

Understanding the Wall Controller (조작기, jojakgi)

When you see a ceiling air-conditioner in Korea, look for a square or rectangular wall controller. It usually has:

• Power button (전원, jeonwon) → On/Off

• Mode (운전, unjeon) → Switch between cooling, heating, dehumidifying, fan

• Temperature (온도, ondo) → Adjust up (▲) or down (▼)

• Wind speed (풍속, pungsok) → Low, Medium, High

• Timer (예약, yeyak) → Schedule ON/OFF

• Swing (바람 방향, baram banghyang) → Adjust airflow direction

Step-by-Step: How to Use a Ceiling AC in Korea

1. Turn it on

   • Press 전원 (Power). You’ll hear a beep and the ceiling unit will start.

2. Choose your mode (운전)

   • 냉방 (naengbang) = Cooling

   • 난방 (nanbang) = Heating (yes, AC units often double as heaters in Korea!)

   • 제습 (jesup) = Dehumidify

   • 송풍 (songpung) = Fan only

3. Set temperature (온도)

   • Press ▲ to increase, ▼ to decrease.

   • Summer tip: 24–26°C is common in Korea to balance comfort and electricity bills.

4. Adjust fan speed (풍속)

   • Choose between low (약, yak), medium (중, jung), high (강, gang).

5. Set direction (바람 방향)

   • Controls where the air flows – forward, downward, or swing mode.

6. Use the timer (예약)

   • Helpful if you only want the AC for a few hours while sleeping.

Credit: ecotransport

Common Korean Words on AC Controllers

Korean	Romanization	English
전원	jeonwon	Power
운전	unjeon	Mode
냉방	naengbang	Cooling
난방	nanbang	Heating
제습	jesup	Dehumidify
송풍	songpung	Fan
온도	ondo	Temperature
풍속	pungsok	Wind speed
예약	yeyak	Timer
바람 방향	baram banghyang	Airflow direction

Tips for Foreigners

• Electricity bills in Korea can be high if you overuse AC. Most people set it around 26°C.

• Many apartments also have energy-saving restrictions in summer (government encourages limiting AC to 26-28°C).

• In shared offices or schools, don’t change settings without asking, Koreans are sensitive about temperature balance.

• Some new controllers have English buttons, but most are in Korean only.

Energy-Saving & Comfort Hacks

• Use 제습 (Dehumidify) mode during humid monsoon season – feels cooler with less power.

• Keep windows and doors closed.

• Combine with a fan (선풍기, seonpunggi) for better air circulation.

• Clean filters regularly (ask your landlord if unsure).

  
  

Using Korean air-conditioning (에어컨) may feel confusing at first, especially with ceiling units and wall controllers. But once you learn the key Korean words and button functions, it becomes easy and efficient.

This guide should help you stay cool in the hot Korean summer (여름, yeoreum) and warm in the winter (겨울, gyeoul).

Next time you face a wall panel, you’ll know exactly what to press!