INFRARED SAUNA VS. TRADITIONAL
SAUNA
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
INFRARED AND TRADITIONAL SAUNAS?
Traditional saunas are
a high heat, low humidity environment. Temperatures range
between 80-90°C (185-195°F) and water is splashed over the
heater rocks to create a blast of hypersteam and intensify
the feeling of heat. For those who enjoy this experience,
there is nothing in the world quite like it.
Infrared saunas provide
a much more mild environment. Infrared rays heat the body
directly and the air secondarily. For those who enjoy the
"heat bath" experience, but cannot take or do not
enjoy traditional saunas, infrared is a excellent alternative.
It is important to keep in
mind that the experience is not the same.
Many people who have experienced and enjoyed traditional saunas
inquire about infrared saunas thinking it will be the same.
Infrared saunas provide a very
enjoyable experience, but are different from a traditional
sauna. If you know and love traditional saunas, you should
seek out information beyond the claims of infrared vendors.
Many infrared manufacturers and
distributors make comparisons to traditional saunas that are
misleading and untrue. As a manufacturer of both types of
saunas, Saunafin would like dispel some of these mis-statements:
The chart below lists some of the other
claims often made and explains them in more detail:
| CLAIM |
CORRECT INFORMATION |
| Infrared saunas heat up in under 10
minutes. Traditional saunas require 45-90 minutes |
Infrared saunas heat to between
120°F to 150°F. Traditional saunas to 195°F.
Infrareds heat up in about 10-20 minutes. A traditional
sauna, sized properly, will heat a sauna in 20-35 minutes.
However, Heating up an infrared only provides for that
"toasty" feeling. To perspire, you must be exposed
to the infrared rays. It generally takes 12-20 minutes
of exposure to begin sweating. |
| Traditional saunas are expensive to
operate |
Electrical costs are a direct
reflection of heater size and operating time. The average
electrical cost is 5 cents per kw hour. A 1.6 kW infrared
sauna will cost 5-10 cents per use. A 6 kw traditional
sauna will cost 25-30 cents. Most people use their sauna
once or twice per week. So while it is true that traditional
cost more, in either case costs are measured in pennies,
not dollars. |
| Infrared saunas assemble in minutes,
while traditional saunas take days and require special
installation |
Infrared saunas come primarily
as pre-fabricated panels that snap or screw together.
While they are relatively simple to assemble, it is more
realistic to assume 1-2 hours for assembly. Traditional
saunas are most popularly purchased as do-it yourself
kits, which take a few days to install. There are also
pre-fab traditional saunas that are built in essentially
the same way as infrareds-that is panels that are simply
screwed together. And they too can be assembled in a couple
of hours. |
| Traditional saunas require special
electrical work. Infrareds plug into any outlet. |
Traditional do require a dedicated
breaker. While some smaller infrared saunas can plug into
any outlet, many mid size to larger require a dedicated
15 or 20 amp plug - which must also be installed by an
electrician. |
| Traditional saunas require a lot of
maintenance. |
There is absolutely no difference
in the amount of maintenance required. Even a heavily
used home sauna gets relatively light use - once or twice
a week on average. The only maintenance required is to
wipe down the walls and benches periodically with a mild
solution of water and dish detergent. |
| Infrared sauna heat is dry and gentle,
where traditional saunas are harsh and claustrophobic. |
This is really a matter of
"to each his own". It is true that traditional
saunas are a harsher environment. For many that is the
essence of a sauna - extreme heat with blasts of humidity
from splashing the rocks. For those sauna purists, there
is nothing else. However, for those who seek the benefits
of heat therapy, but do not enjoy traditional saunas,
infrareds offer a practical and enjoyable alternative. |
INFRARED SAUNA COMPARISON
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INFRARED SAUNAS?
There are basically three factors, which
differentiate infrared saunas from each other: Construction
Materials, Element Type and Control.
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS:
Because of heat and humidity, traditional
saunas must use a durable softwood and cedar is the
material of choice. While there is no humidity in
infrared saunas, there is heat and we believe that cedar is
still the best option. There are infrareds constructed of
hemlock, fir, poplar and birch. These materials are far less
costly and much less durable.
Some suggest that cedar is not healthy.
This is another of those unfortunate misstatements designed
to unfairly knock the competition. Cedar has been used for
hundreds of years in the construction of saunas as well as
for decks, fences and in homes. It is an effective, attractive
and aromatic product that many associate with saunas.
Those who criticize cedar fail to tell
you that the only ill effects from cedar come from its dust
- that is, to a few workers in the lumber industry who cut
and process the timbers. Of course, this applies to virtually
every other wood or industrial product. There are
no health issues resulting from the use of cedar for saunas.
ELEMENT (EMITTER) TYPE
Most elements are either ceramic or incoloy.
Both types will effectively heat the sauna, but only
ceramic emitters will produce infrared rays in the desirable
Far Infrared range (5.6-15 microns).
If you select a sauna only for the heat,
either is acceptable. However, if you are seeking the benefits
purported to come from infrared rays, then you should select
a sauna using only ceramic emitters. Furthermore, those emitters
should be "solid ceramic". A tubular ceramic emitter
is not a true ceramic element. It is merely coated in a a
ceramic layer. Saunafin only uses the concave emitters
where the heating filament is cast into a solid ceramic mold.
CONTROL
Most infrared saunas utilize a thermostatic
control to limit temperature. Others market what they refer
to as "constant heat". They claim that because the
elements never turn off, you are continually exposed to infrared
rays. The theory is interesting, but flawed. It relies solely
on the notion of infrared therapy (exposure to infrared rays),
while ignoring the capacity to produce a "good sweat".
Typically, these saunas are "underpowered".
Often, even the largest models plug in to a standard outlet.
While this may appear to be an attractive feature, these saunas
are not efficient. Because these saunas have no temperature
control at all, they must under power the heaters to prevent
any possible chance of overheating. Infrared rays have a range
of about 2 feet. To work properly it is important to have
enough properly sized emitters located behind and in front
of each user. Five or six emitters is acceptable for a 2 person
sauna, but a three to four person model should have 8 to 9
infrared emitters.
Our infrared saunas typically will run
for one to three hours and seldom if ever cycle off –
so you are in effect getting constant heat. However, because
we have an upper limit temperature control, we are able to
install the appropriate number of heaters to guarantee an
effective and enjoyable “sauna” experience.
At Saunafin, we are first and foremost
in the "sauna" business. Whether the heat source
is infrared or traditional, it is important to us that you
get a "good sweat". If you don't sweat, the sauna
is not doing its job.
| Made
in America
These are not
imports. We make them right here.
From the kiln dried cedar to the electrical wiring to
the infrared emitters, every component is manufactured
and approved in the US or Canada.
Why
is this Important? (click here) |
|
