What
are your sauna heater options?
by David Bloom
Having the right sauna heater is the key to an enjoyable experience,
and there are a variety of types to choose from. They include the infrared
sauna heater and the electric sauna heater, as well as the more traditional
wood and gas varieties. It is important to know that infrared
heaters work on different principles than the other tree types; infrared
models heat the skin directly, while electric, gas and wood heaters
warm the surrounding air.
In looking at the infrared sauna heater, concave
ceramic elements are the superior choice - offering more consistent,
even heating than the rod-shaped elements (which are similar to those
found in an oven). Do not let the name of confuse you - although they
work similarly to the sun, (at drastically lower temperatures, of course),
they do not use ultraviolet light, and so do not cause the damage and
harmful effects that overexposure to sunlight can.
The infrared sauna heater does not heat the
air in the sauna, as electric, gas and wood heaters do; instead, they
directly heat the body, causing deeper muscle penetration, less energy
use and, many users say, greater comfort than traditional electric sauna
heaters, which work in conjunction with steam. The lack of steam with
an infrared sauna heating unit also dramatically reduces the chance
for germs in your environment, and promotes a cleaner-feeling experience.
The infrared sauna heater is also safe for all ages; even children can
enjoy their use.
Electric sauna heaters are the standard type, and are what
most people are familiar with. Many manufacturers offer different grades
- look for the higher grades in your price range; it is worth the extra
money. They lengthen the life of your sauna, and do not have issues
with quick burnout. Many of these electric sauna heaters come with special
rocks which store the heat for longer periods of time - thus increasing
the amount of time you can enjoy bathing.
Another nice option that is offered in some electric heaters
is remote relay boxes for the control panel: this gives you more flexibility
in where you want to control your heat, timing, and other factors from.
Some control boxes also come with Fahrenheit and Celsius conversion,
if you look at the upgraded models. Although some electric models are
more energy-efficient than others, infrared sauna heaters use far less
energy than the electric type; if energy conservation is one of your
top criteria, it is certainly better to choose an infra red sauna heater.
As for wood and gas heaters, there are some good options out
there; prices are frequently lower on these two types, but they don't
generally have the same results as the infrared or
electric heater types. One of the strong points of a wood burning heater
is the ambience created by a wood fire, and firewood is easily available
in many areas - not all, however, and in some cases wood burning is
banned altogether. Gas heaters have the same positive quality as a gas
oven: more control over the amount of heat, and this can make them more
affordable than electric heaters.
It really comes down to personal preference. Those looking
for a more traditional experience may opt for a wood-burning, gas or
electric heater for their sauna. However, those who want to reap the
health benefits without the hot, steamy environment just may find that
an infrared sauna heater is the one for them.
Learn more about electric
and infrared sauna heaters on our site.
About the Author:
David Bloom is a health enthusiast and contributor to many fitness sites.
He is the author of Infrared
Sauna Heaters, a blog dedicated to residential saunas and sauna equipment
and accessories.
