Saunas have been around for centuries. They were once a reserve for the upper class but today they can be found in homes, gyms, and health clubs around the country. The wide adoption of electric saunas can be attributed to the long list of benefits they provide from improving health to increasing a home’s value.
Various types of saunas have popped up at different times throughout history since the first heated room. Today, electric saunas are arguably the most popular. As its name suggests, an electric sauna is powered by electricity. Its main feature is an electrically powered heater mounted on the wall or the floor. Electric sauna heaters come in different types, sizes, and models.
If you’ve set your mind on an electric sauna for your home or business, you should be well informed before making the investment. This article takes an in-depth look at what an electric sauna is, how it works, who can use it and the different types available on the market. Read on to find out everything you need to know about electric saunas.
What is an electric sauna?
Electric saunas rose to popularity in the 1950’s alongside other electrical appliances like refrigerators and washing machines. Since electric sauna heaters were easier to install, operate and maintain compared to wood-burning stoves, saunas became more accessible to people. Today, an electric sauna can be easily built into a home or business.
In terms of design and interior construction, electric saunas are very similar to traditional saunas. They both generate low humidity and dry heat. The key difference is the power source. Electric sauna rooms are fitted with an electrically powered heaters on the wall or the floor. These heaters generate the heat required in the room.
An electric sauna heater is typically smaller and more elegant than a wood-burning stove. It can be started and stopped by the push of a button. You can also control it remotely or program it to start in advance so that the sauna room is ready when you walk in. Such ease of use and convenience gives users a more enjoyable and relaxing experience.
On the other hand, although you don’t need to worry about running out of wood when using an electric sauna, the electricity bill and reliability of the electric service in your area are factors you must consider. When you live in a rural setting or at the lake, you may not have access to a stable electric service. Read more about all of the different types of homes saunas.
How does an electric sauna work?
Just like gas or wood-fired sauna heaters, an electric sauna heater works by raising the temperature of the air in the sauna room. When electricity passes through the resistive elements of the electric heater, the elements heat up. The heater then heats the surrounding air which then circulates throughout the room.
An electric sauna heater is quick to heat up and maintains an accurate temperature. Most operate within a range of 160F to 212F or 70C to 100C. In the United States, the temperature of electric sauna heater is restricted and should not exceed 194F or 90C.
Electric sauna heater generates very dry heat with low humidity levels of between 5% to 10%. Pouring water directly on the sauna heater can help control humidity. However, this corrodes the heater and reduces its lifespan significantly. Many electric sauna heaters have stones piled on top to allow for humidity control. When the stones are heated, water can be poured on them to generate steam. The steam circulates throughout the sauna room making it, hot and humid.
Electric saunas typically have safety features to prevent accidents. Most of them especially in residential areas reset after an hour and ask you to confirm if you want to continue. They also won’t unexpectedly heat up to dangerous temperatures.
Who can use an electric Sauna?
Sauna use causes various hormonal and cardiovascular changes in the body. This has several health benefits, but it can also pose health risks to certain people. Most healthy children and adults can tolerate and even benefit from using electric saunas, but it is important to note the risks and observe the precautions.
Using a sauna has been proven to have tremendous benefits to a person’s overall health and wellbeing. Relaxing in an electric sauna increases your heart rate, widens your blood vessels, and induces sweating. The result is improved muscle recovery after exercise and reduced anxiety and depression. The improved circulation also provides relief to people with conditions such as peripheral arterial disease, COPD, congestive heart failure, asthma, and arthritis.
Despite its benefits, sauna use is not ideal for everyone. There are risks involved if you have certain health conditions including unstable angina, abnormal heart rhythm, heart failure, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Cases of severe illness or sudden death because of sauna use are rare but it is important to take precaution. If you are unsure of whether it is safe for you to use a sauna, here are some basic precautions that you should take:
- Don’t use the sauna if you are sick.
- Consult with your doctor before using the sauna if you are planning to become pregnant, already pregnant or suffering from cardiovascular disease.
- Don’t use the sauna if you are on medication that makes you drowsy or interferes with your body’s ability to regulate temperature.
- Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs before, during and after sauna use.
- Limit the time you spend in the sauna to a maximum of 5 to 10 minutes if you are a first-time user and 20 minutes if you are a regular user.
- Drink plenty of fluids before and after using an electric sauna to replace fluids lost through sweating.
- Supervise children using the sauna to ensure their safety
Different types of Electric Saunas
Whether you are looking to install an electric sauna for the first time or upgrading from a traditional sauna, it is important that you find a high-quality and reliable sauna that will last for years. With so many types and brands of electric saunas on the market today, making a choice may seem challenging. Your focus should, be on the electric sauna heater which is the heart of the sauna.
To avoid getting drowned by the marketing hype and claims of superiority, here are some factors that should influence your choice of electric heater variety:
- Power of heater: The size of your sauna should determine the power of the heater you use. For an indoor electric sauna, one kilowatt of power is needed for every 45 cubic feet of sauna interior volume.
- Electrical power needs: Your home’s electrical supply should support the power needs of the heater.
- Heater controls: Electric saunas with built-in controls are simple, functional, straight-forward, and relatively inexpensive. Remote controls add sophistication and convenience but come with additional costs.
Rock cavity size, design, and distribution: Ideally, you should not experience temperature fluctuation during heater element cycling.
Electric Sauna FAQs
Q: Does a sauna use a lot of electricity?
A: This depends on the electric sauna heater you use and how long you use the sauna. A sizeable 3 to 4-person indoor electric sauna when used 2 to three times a week will consume about $4 to $6 of electricity per month.
Q: Does an electric sauna need a dedicated circuit?
A: An electric sauna heater draws a lot of electric current. The circuit breaker running it cannot support additional loads without tripping frequently. As such all electric saunas need their own dedicated circuit.
Q: How long does it take for an electric sauna to heat up?
A: Several variables including size, insulation, and heat source influence how long it takes for your sauna to heat up. An electric sauna will take on average 30 to 45 minutes to heat up.
Q: How do I make my electric sauna hotter?
A: There are three main reasons why your sauna room may not be heating to your desired temperature. The first one is if the base of your heater is more than five to seven inches from the floor. Secondly, it could be because you are cramming too many stones on the heater and restricting air flow. The third reason could be wrong placement of your temperature sensor causing your heater to shut off prematurely.
Q: Can you install an electrical outlet in a sauna?
A: Installing electrical outlets inside saunas goes against most electrical codes since it is a safety hazard. Any device you would want to plug into an outlet inside a sauna would be destroyed by the heat and humidity anyway.
Final Thoughts
An electric sauna is effective at relaxing your body, reducing your stress, and providing several health benefits. Electrically powered sauna heaters are preferred by most gyms and spa centers for their convenience and efficiency. Their small size also makes them ideal for small indoor electric saunas at home. While they may consume significant electricity, you can expect a monthly power bill that is lower than a health club or spa membership.
Just like any other type of sauna, there are cons associated with electric saunas. However, given their numerous benefits, there is a strong case to be made for their use. I strongly recommend sauna use whether it is your indoor electric sauna or the public electric sauna at your local wellness center. Just make sure you observe the precautions highlighted above to avoid any accidents or incidents.
