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Sauna Heaters
Tips for selecting the best sauna heater for you The heart of any sauna is the heater. In fact, a sauna without a heater is simply a room made out of wood. The heater has two basic functions - create heat and create steam. Stones that are piled on the heater retain the heat and also produce steam if you pour water over them. There are four types of heaters:
Most sauna dealers offer a variety of heaters, and they do provide some assistance for choosing the best one for your situation.
Electric HeatersOriginally, all saunas were heated with fire. But electric heaters have become the most popular for saunas.
Wood Burning HeatersIf you have a house in the country or easy access to firewood, a wood burning heater is a great choice for a sauna. A wood heater may also be a good choice if you have an outdoor sauna. One drawback is that there is no way to set a wood heater to a certain temperature like an electric heater.
Infrared HeatersA sauna that uses infrared heaters is known as a far infrared sauna. These heaters emit infrared rays that warm you directly while minimally warming the surrounding air. Because of this, many people find infrared heat to be a more comfortable alternative to the hot air in traditional saunas. Many health professionals and sauna experts claim that infrared heaters carry special health benefits.
Oil and gas heaters are way less popular than the other types of heaters. One reason is because they’re relatively inefficient compared to the others. Some people even complain about the odor associated with the burning fuel. But if they're properly vented, oil and gas heaters should have little or no discernible smell.
What about those sauna stones? They need to have special qualities to be able to withstand the severe temperature changes. Really, the stones can be any type of rock but some kinds are better suited for use in a sauna. The stones shouldn't give off any odor when heated, and they should be able to withstand high heat without cracking. Good sauna stones should not have any cracks, and it's better if they have a rough surface. That helps to release steam faster and retain heat better. Popular sauna stones are peridotite and olivine, and both are available at sauna supply stores.
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