If you want to construct a sauna in your home, one of the most important features to look for is which sauna heater to use. This is because the reality is that, without a heater, you basically don’t have a sauna. All you have is a wooden room! Let’s take a look at some basic information about the different heaters so that you can make the right choice for your needs.
A Different Sauna Heater for Different Occasions
Four different types of sauna heaters exist, but there are many price variations within them. Hence, you do also have to consider what your exact needs are. It is recommended to pay a visit to a sauna supply store and take a look at what is available. Let’s take a closer look at the different types that exist and what their advantages and disadvantages are.
- The wood burning stove
These stoves are the ones used in the original Finnish saunas. Traditionalists continue to love these types, although they are only really suitable for detached, outdoor saunas. They are quite high in maintenance, because you have to constantly check that there are no blockages in the flue. Furthermore, you need a stead supply of wood in order to burn the heater. The biggest disadvantage is the fact that you cannot regulate the temperature. This is such a problem, in fact, that they are rarely used nowadays.
- The gas burning heater
These can use propane gas or natural gas. Natural gas is beneficial because it costs a lot less than electricity. However, natural gas is not always available. This means that you may have to rely on propane gas instead. The benefit is that this is a portable type of fuel, and you don’t have to hook your sauna up to the electricity network either.
- The electric stove
During the 1950s, the electric stove started to become very popular and it continues to be the most commonly used sauna heater today. Electric stoves are popular because they are efficient, cheap to use, and very easy to regulate. They come with various features, including thermostats and timers. You just set them and forget about them, in other words.
- The infrared heater
This is the most modern type of sauna heater, which is sometimes referred to as “far infrared”. This means that your body is warmed directly, and the air in the room is not really affected at all. Radiant heat is used instead, not unlike the sun. A lot of people find that this is a very comfortable experience. Additionally, some people say that using infrared has a number of other health benefits as well. However, it takes away a lot of the original sauna experience and this type of heater is also somewhat more expensive.
If you want to install a sauna, thinking about your heater is the most important decision of all. Hopefully, with the above information, you will be able to make an informed choice.
