The 4 most common types of sauna heaters are wood, gas, electric, and infrared. Whether for commercial or home use, it is best to take at look the detail of each category before buying it. Some may require clearances and others may need professionals to install it. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each type can help you decide properly which one is best to cater your needs.



Wood Burning

Also known as ?Traditional Sauna Heater?, wood heater uses a renewable fuel source and is recommended for places with no electricity. A room with a dimension of 6? x 8? or larger is suggested. Wood heaters are generally made of cast iron and steel plate. For a price range of between $500 and $1500 you can already get a satisfactory wood heater.

Before installation, appropriate clearances are required for the chimney and other combustibles. The burning of unclean fuel can be an environmental issue and tend to be a little untidy thus not recommended for residential use. It takes 30-60 minutes to preheat the room with a wood heater.

Gas Natural or Propane

This type of heater uses natural gas or LPG and best used in isolated places. It is suggested for large and frequently saunas. Gas heaters are usually made of stainless steel, and are more expensive than wood and electric heaters. A 40,000-80,000 BTU gas heater may cost you around $1,500 to $3,000. You will need a space of at least 7? x 8? to maximize its potentials.

An experienced and licensed plumber is necessary to install the gas pipes. City Clearances for the chimney and walls are required. The ventilation system is also another factor you have to consider. Thus, setting up a gas heater can be a little costly. Gas heaters are remarkable for its ease of use and economy.

Electric Powered

The most commonly used sauna heater today is the electric. You can choose from galvanized metal, aluminum, or stainless steel electric heater. A budget of $500-$2,000 is already enough to get you a good quality electric heater. The room space should be enough to hold a minimum of 30-75 lbs. of rocks which will be heated on and sprinkled with water.

Minimal clearances may be needed when installing an electric heater. It is easy quite to setup though, but a trained electrician may be required. It does require ventilation and heat the level is easier and accurately maintained. It uses 20-30 AMP for residential applications and cost per usage is estimated at $0.75 to $1. Electric heaters are environmental-friendly and very safe as long as the electrical wiring is installed properly.

Infrared Also Known As Far Infrared

Infrared heaters offer the fastest heating time at an average of 10 minutes. A typical infrared heater costs between $2,500 and $5,000. They are commonly made of steel and coated ceramics.

These heaters operate at lesser temperature thus require less time to heat. An estimated 15-20 Watts will be consumed for every cubic ft. of space. They are generally safe and also environmental-friendly. Do take note of the lifespan of the emitters because it is quite pricey to replace.