Sauna Heater FAQs

There are differences in sauna heaters It's important to understand the differences in sauna heaters. There are four basic types of heaters: electric, infrared, gas, and wood-burning. You can also find propane heaters, although those aren't as popular because they need to be refilled often. Electric sauna heaters are the biggest seller because they are very affordable and simple to install. Among the advantages of electric sauna heaters are: They heat up quickly They can be used for wet saunas or dry saunas Water can be poured onto the sauna rocks They include sauna thermostats, rocks, and timers They have heavy-duty electric elements for a long life Infrared sauna heaters are relatively new. These units direct rays into the body rather than heating the home sauna, so less warm-up time is needed. However, the overall temperature produced by infrared sauna heaters is lower, which some experts believe diminishes the health benefits of the sauna experience. Larry McDermott, manager of Home Innovations Spas in Omaha, NE, says conventional sauna heaters, rather than infrared heaters, give users the total home sauna experience. Budget-minded homeowners often choose more economical infrared heaters.

Wood-burning stoves are more traditional
Most saunas built decades ago were heated with wood. Excellent for large home saunas, these sauna heaters provide continuous heat at low levels by using slow-burning hardwoods. Two of the drawbacks are that more space is required for wood-burning stoves and, depending on where you live, wood may be expensive.

Wood-burning sauna heaters require knowledge of building a fire and keeping it alive. You'll want to understand which types of wood work best. Avoid woods heavy in tar and pitch, as they'll emit unpleasant smells. More moist woods will create smoke. Cedar and cypress woods, along with such hardwoods as oak, are the most preferred.

Gas-powered saunas use either natural gas or propane heaters. Gas sauna heaters are ideal for large and frequently used saunas, and in some cases can be less expensive than electricity. Another benefit - just like electric sauna heaters - is the ability to control the temperature. One downside is that a gas sauna heater requires ventilation and more clearance than an electric heater.

Most commercial saunas use propane sauna heaters, but you can also find them in home saunas. Comparable to using a gas stove, propane sauna heaters provide outstanding control over the amount of heat distributed, just like natural gas heaters. One of the concerns with a propane heater is that it needs to be kept in good condition to avoid a dangerous leak.

The importance of sauna rocks
It's important to realize that there is a difference in the types of sauna rocks used in a sauna heater. The three main types of rocks are igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. Granite, basalt, and obsidian are igneous; gneiss, slate, and marble are metamorphic; and sandstone, shale, and conglomerates are sedimentary. Do not pick sauna rocks that have water trapped inside, because they can explode when heated.

Sauna rocks that are dense and heavy provide soft, consistent heat and hold enough heat for steady supplies of steam. Softer, light, and porous rocks shouldn't be used. You can test the hardness of a rock with light taps of a hammer or by dropping onto a hard surface.

The average sauna heater contains about 30 pounds of sauna rocks. You'll want enough sauna rocks to hold an even temperature for long periods. A sauna rock should be no smaller than half the size of a fist and no larger than three times the size of a fist.

Now that you're armed with knowledge of the types of sauna heaters available, shop around for one you believe will work best in your home. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each, pick one out, and enjoy the healthy benefits of a home sauna.

The one thing they have in common: both unfinished oak and pine furniture are easy to stain and varnish, even for beginners, and the results are beautiful and satisfying.