16 Nov Japan’s Electric Carpets

As it starts to get colder here in San Antonio, most of us can simply turn up our heaters. For families in Japan, however, that isn’t always an option.

Japanese houses are notoriously cold in winter and central heating is considered something of a luxury. Instead, Japanese families use a combination of heating instruments such as space heaters, a device called a kotatsu (essentially a table covered by a heavy blanket with a heat source underneath) and electric carpets.

Yes, that’s right, electric carpets.

We’ve all heard of the electric blanket before. You might even have one of your own for cold nights when you want to snuggle up on the couch and watch a movie.

The electric carpet or “Hot Carpet” follows the same principle as the electric blanket, only it stays on the floor. A few Japanese companies including Panasonic and Fujitsu General Electric have models for sale. Panasonic’s version has an adjustable temperature setting and can get up to 114°F. They’re also offered in a variety of fabric styles and come fully waterproof, so that you don’t have to worry about spilling your drink and getting electrocuted.

Though the electric carpet may sound like a novelty in the States, they’re actually pretty common in Japan. With many Japanese now favoring modern home designs, the kotatsu is falling out of favor and other heating options are being explored, some of which have been more successful than others.

While Panasonic may have hit a winner with the electric carpet, its “No-Constraints Carpet” might be another story. Though the “carpets” sport smart sensors that only heat up the parts that you’re touching, they also have the misfortune of looking like creatures out of a sci-fi film and, chances are, we won’t be seeing them in the States anytime soon. What do you think?

Steamer’s Carpet Care offers both electric and non-electric carpet cleaning services to the San Antonio area. To schedule an appointment, contact our office today.