5 TIPS FOR CHOOSING YOUR INDOOR ELECTRIC SAUNA

Saunas can be found in health clubs, gyms, spas and hotels across the world. And recently, in the last two decades or so, personal saunas can be found more often in individuals' homes.  The vast adoption of indoor electric saunas can be accredited to their many benefits, from improving health to providing a stress-reducing getaway just a few steps away. A home sauna is ideal if you’re looking to relax within your home’s comfort rather than going to a health spa or gym. 

As the name suggests, electric saunas are powered by electricity. The main feature is an electrically-powered heater mounted on the floor or the wall. These electric sauna heaters are available in a variety of different models, sizes, and types. 

If you’re looking to install an indoor electric sauna, it’s crucial to be informed about all the possibilities available to you. This article will look at everything you need to know about an indoor electric sauna and the top tips for selecting one. 

What is an Indoor Electric Sauna?

Electric saunas gained popularity in the 1950s alongside other electrical appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators. Since they were easier to install, operate, and maintain than wood-burning saunas, electric saunas became more accessible to those who were interested in them. 

Electrical saunas are similar to traditional wood-burning saunas regarding interior and design construction. They both generate dry heat and low humidity, the key difference being the power source. With an indoor electric sauna, the electric stove is mounted on the floor or the wall. The heaters generate the humidity and heat required in the room.

An indoor electric sauna is usually smaller and more convenient than a wood-burning sauna. You can start or stop it at the push of a button.Plus, you can program or control it remotely to start before you get home and walk in. The convenience and ease of use give sauna bathers an extra relaxing and enjoyable sauna experience.

However you will need the help of a licensed and professional electrician to help with the wiring following your local codes. The electrician will also help with custom controls for the best experience. Likewise, you should factor in your electricity bill and the reliability of your area’s electric service.

How Does an Indoor Electric Sauna Work?

Just like wood or gas-fired sauna heaters, electric sauna heaters work by raising the air temperature in a sauna. The electricity passes through the resistive elements of the heater, heating them. The heater then heats the air, which circulates throughout the sauna room. An electric sauna heater heats up quickly and maintains an accurate temperature within a range of 160°F to 200°F. Generally, electric sauna heaters produce dry heat with low humidity levels of around 5-10%.

Most traditional-style (i.e. not infrared) sauna heaters have sauna stones piled on the top for humidity control. Once heated, you can pour water on them to create steam that circulates throughout the room, significantly increasing the humidity of the space.

While water and electricity often do not mix, electric sauna heaters are specially designed with safety features to help prevent accidents. For instance, most residential electric saunas have a safety shut-off built-in, and they also don’t suddenly heat up to hazardous temperatures. 

Now that you know what an indoor electric sauna is and how it works, let’s look at the benefits of installing one in your home.

Benefits of an Indoor Electric Sauna

Adding an indoor electrical sauna to your home helps add value, requires little maintenance, and provides easy access to a range of numerous health benefits, as outlined below:

• Reduces stress

• Soothe sore muscles

• Improve blood circulation

• Help maintain a healthy skin

• Increased metabolic rate

• Relieve sinus congestion

• Better sleep

5 Tips for Choosing Your Indoor Electric Sauna

To help you make the right decision, below are 5 tips for choosing your indoor electric sauna.

Choosing Where to Place Your Indoor Electric Sauna

It’s important to figure out where to place your sauna before making the final decision. This helps you save a lot of guesswork, time, and possible errors. You can either look for a sauna that you love and then see where it will fit in your home, or you can work backward, finding a favorite spot and then seeing what type of sauna will fit the space. 

Most home areas will do just fine for placement with an indoor electric sauna. Some of the best places for your project include:

• Bathroom

• Storage closet

• Basement

• Attic

• Garage

If you’re able to, choose a space quite isolated from the rest of the house that will allow you more relaxation. 

If you have a large bathroom or an indoor pool, placing your indoor electric sauna near these locations is especially convenient. Traditionally, people would jump from a hot sauna into frozen waters to increase blood flow. You can jump into a pool or a cold shower right after an indoor electric sauna session to replicate this refreshing feeling.

A note on flooring: Some indoor saunas use your existing floor as their interior floor. Others use North American basswood or premium cedar. Whichever type you opt for, you can place these saunas on virtually any surface as long as it is sturdy and level. 

However, you should always avoid placing your sauna on the carpet. Any other flooring type is acceptable, including:

• Vinyl

• Laminate

• Concrete 

• Tile

• Ceramic

• Stone

• Plastic

Choosing the Type of Indoor Electric Sauna Heater

Electric sauna heaters are the most common heaters today thanks to their convenience and ease of use. Electric heaters work like an oven or kettles, using heating elements to warm sauna stones, which in turn heat up the sauna space. Controls can be found on electric sauna heaters or fitted remotely outside the sauna. Digital models come with the Wi-Fi options allowing you to set accurate temperatures, which you can control remotely. 

Modern heaters such as the HUUM models (the HUUM Hive Mini is pictured above), comes with an option to add UKU Wifi controls, so you can operate your sauna from the convenience of your smart device. 

You can control the time, temperature, ventilation, and lighting with the HUUM Wi-Fi application or the wall-mounted control to preheat your sauna to the ideal temperature for when you get home. The UKU Wi-Fi sauna control comes with a door sensor, child safety lock, and overheating protection over a Wi-Fi network connection for extra safety.

These extra features make this type a more expensive option, but the elegant design and features are worth it. A less expensive option is the classic Harvia KIP heater. Harvia is a partner of Almost Heaven Saunas and all their electric heaters come with a large stone capacity for optimal heat dispersion and efficient power. This well-known electric sauna heater brand also offers Wi-Fi control through Xenio  which operates over a Wi-Fi network. You can control it remotely using the smart touch to control the sauna streamer, ventilation, door sensor, weekly timer, and heater.

Choosing Your Indoor Sauna Style

With the many different types of indoor electric saunas out there, how do you select the right one? The choice boils down to your taste and preference. Whether you’re looking for a more chic design, an elegant look, or a classic cabin shape, there are a number of options to choose which best suit your needs. Corner models are great for saving space as they can easily tuck into any corner of any room. You can also go for the classic or cabin sauna design, which is rectangular and can fit into small and larger areas.

You can even install the barrel sauna indoors  if you have ample space. Barrel saunas are usually used outdoors for their unique design and efficiency. It also has numerous benefits, such as shedding water naturally, showcasing a trendy and elegant design, and is made with high-grade, professionally smoothed softwood and thick tempered glass.