Time was that a sauna needed hot stones heated by wood or other heat source such as gas or electricity. A new heat system using infrared has been gaining in popularity. Advocates of infrared saunas point out that the infrared energy used to heat the air is more beneficial than traditional steam saunas.

Anyone who has been in a hospital maternity ward might have seen the heating systems used to warm the skin of newborn babies. Infrared radiation is all around us and radiated by everything from our own bodies to the remote control for your television. Even ice emits infrared rays but at a much different wavelength. Infrared heaters, such as the type used to heat infrared saunas, utilize what is referred to far infrared. IR should not be confused with nuclear radiation.

Considered safe and as well as efficient, these personal saunas are said to cost just pennies an hour to operate. Unlike steam saunas, infrared heaters do not use hot stones or water making the dry heat more tolerable for many people. The infrared radiation generated is not like the ultraviolet radiation produced by the sun so exposure to infrared does not have the same negative effects on the skin as UV radiation. Infrared saunas conduct more heat to the body much more quickly than steam saunas and operate at a much lower ambient temper at somewhere between 110 degrees to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The average steam sauna operates at between 180 degrees to 210 degrees Fahrenheit. Since prolonged exposure to either the steam heat of a traditional sauna or the heat of an infrared sauna, people with certain medical conditions should always consult a physician before using or purchasing a personal sauna.

Personal saunas are a useful and attractive addition to any home and can take less than an hour to install depending on how the sauna is designed. Many personal saunas come in a two piece kit and can be assembled with a minimum number of simple hand tools. Many one and two person models can be operated off existing 110 volt residential electrical service and just need to be plugged in. Some larger models operate on 220 volt service and your installation may require the services of a qualified electrician.

Many personal saunas included infrared models feature a wide variety of options from wood types like cedar and hemlock to different seating configurations and CD music systems to aroma therapy. Since the infrared heating system does not use steam to heat the body, infrared saunas are cleaner to easier to keep clean.

Energy efficient and inexpensive to operate, an infrared sauna also provides a comfortable way to detoxify the body and ease the stress of daily life. Some advocates claim that infrared saunas can even enhance weight loss by burning up to 1000 calories an hour. So whether you want to use your sauna for weight loss, detoxification or just to unwind after a hard days work, a personal infrared sauna may be right for you.