Frequently asked questions
It is worth considering that glass is an uninsulated surface and has good thermal conductivity, which is why greater heat loss is inevitable with a glass door. Each square meter of non-thermally insulated surface (this can be a glass door, brick or stone wall, window, etc.) causes heat loss, which is equivalent to increasing the sauna space by 1,2-1,5 m³.
So, for example, a glass door with a size of 70×190 cm requires an increase in the capacity of the heater by 1,6-2 m³. When choosing the capacity of the heater, be guided by the volume of the steam room (length, width, height), taking into account the uninsulated surface.
The main requirements for stones are ecological purity, high heat capacity, mechanical resistance to temperature fluctuations. Stones found at the bottom of the Gulf of Finland or on the beach may contain substances hazardous to human health, which are released when the stones are heated. Saunaworld recommends using the main rock types (peridotite, porphyrite, gabbro-diabase, etc.) in the sauna, which are obtained from mines where the corresponding rock type is split and then sorted by size.
We also recommend jadeite stones, which are the most suitable for heaters in terms of their properties. The composition of these stones includes several different minerals that have a good effect on human health.
Practice shows that the maximum effect of the sauna is achieved when the sauna air is exchanged six times within one hour. This intensity of air exchange can be ensured both by forced ventilation and in some cases also by natural ventilation. In any case, finding the right ventilation solution is related to the specific conditions of each sauna. Forced ventilation is indeed considered the most suitable as it circulates the warm air more evenly.
Making a flue for a sauna built in the basement is no different from, for example, making flues for furnaces located on the first floor of a building. When building a sauna in the basement, an important aspect must be considered - ventilation.
Warm wood absorbs oil well, which penetrates deep into the wood. We recommend trying a special sauna cleaner. If these remedies do not help, the next thing to try is sandpaper or replacing the paneling element.
It largely depends on individual preferences and the height of the steam room. To make a person feel comfortable, the upper stage is installed 110-112 cm below the ceiling. The height of the lower stage is about 35-40 cm from the floor. Usually, the lower stage is made in such a way that it can be pushed under the middle stage, which is installed between the upper and lower stage.
Both an electric heater and a wood-burning heater can ensure a temperature of 100-110 °С in the steam room. When choosing a heater, you must keep in mind its technical data, the volume of the steam room and maintaining a safe distance. It is also important which kind of steam you prefer: milder or sharper. Both wood-burning heaters and electric heaters can have a large number of stones, which reduces the sharpness of the steam compared to a heater with fewer stones.
If the power of the heater is selected correctly, its location is not very important from the point of view of thermal insulation. Here, other aspects must be taken into account: ventilation, safe distance, comfortable placement of the sauna platform. It is important that there is a sufficient gap between the heater and the lower part of the wall for air supply. Also, do not forget that if the regulators are located on the heater, you must have free access to them to set the required temperature or the heater's operating time.
Tents made by leading manufacturers are protected from moisture. However, an excessive amount of water can, of course, damage the functionality of the heater. If a little water leaks through (the water drips onto the floor and does not flow), it will not damage the heater. Ideally, all the water should evaporate when it comes into contact with the stones - after all, water is poured on the stones for this purpose.
If all the water does not evaporate, there can be several reasons: you pour too much water at once, the heater is not hot enough, there are too few stones, or the stones have lost their efficiency over the years. Keep in mind that the stones must also be placed between the tiles and must be of an appropriate size to fill the space between the tiles.
The parameter that determines the power of the sauna heater is the volume of the steam room, not the area. It is also worth considering the non-insulated surface (window, glass door, decorative stone, etc.). Multiplying the area of your steam room by the height (for example, 2,2 m) and adding a glass door, we get a volume that corresponds to 17 m³. This means that the heater should be at least twice as powerful as the current one.
There are no restrictions. Recently, combinations of different types of wood, including conifers and hardwoods, are widely used in the sauna steam room. For example, if the interior lining of the sauna is made of aspen or linden wood, the wall fragment near which the heater is installed is covered with pine or juniper wood.
We recommend that you pay attention to the amount of stones that one or another heater can hold. The amount of stones is a very important parameter. It depends on how much steam the hot heater can produce. It is also believed that the more stones there are in the heater, the milder the steam. But remember that such a heater also takes more time to heat up the steam room.
The optimal size of stones for an electric heater is 5-10 cm. Stones of this size fit well between the fans and, if placed correctly, do not obstruct the normal circulation of air through the heater. The stones of a wood-burning stove must be larger: 10-15 cm. From the point of view of heat release, however, the type of mineral used and the mass of the stones are more important, not their size.
In terms of temperature and humidity ratio: Finnish sauna - humidity 10-30%, temperature 110 °С. Russian sauna - humidity 60-70%, temperature 60-70 °С.
In this position, the body is in the region of uniform temperature, there is no temperature difference.
The minimum power of the sauna heater is 2 kW. This capacity corresponds to a minimum volume of about 1,2 m³. The dimensions of such a sauna are 0,8×0,8×1,9 m.
The floor of the room where you want to make a sauna does not need special preparation. From the point of view of hygiene and ease of maintenance, a tile is the most suitable for the sauna floor. A wooden grate or a plastic carpet can be installed on top of the plate to make visiting the sauna safer and more hygienic.
Apache has a pleasant straw yellow color. The advantages are the peculiar surface texture, easy processing and the possibility of making large-sized products, including for the sauna. An important feature of this type of wood is its low thermal conductivity and high heat capacity, which makes it possible to avoid burns when coming into contact with sauna parts when the sauna is heated to a temperature of 70-80 °C.
But for the sake of truth, it must be added that we do not recommend sitting on uncovered apache wood stage tables in a sauna heated to 100°C or more.
Almost any type of wood available can be used. The most common are hardwoods: alder and aspen. We prefer apache trees from Africa.
Stones that have become unusable (split) must be replaced with new ones as needed. However, the intensity of stone cracking directly depends on the intensity of use of the heater. Sauna world recommends changing the stones as many times a year as how many times a week you use the sauna.
The power of the heater must correspond to the volume of the sauna. Each manufacturer determines the parameters of its heaters. There is no point in using a heater with a lower power - the sauna will not heat up to the desired temperature. Using a heater with a higher power is dangerous, as it significantly increases the risk of fire.
These electric heaters are designed for quick and regular use of the sauna. The heater is closed with a lid and works in continuous standby mode, at minimum power. A normal heater takes about an hour to heat up the sauna, but this heater is always ready to work and heats up the steam room in 15 minutes.
Maybe because the temperature at the sauna floor is low.
This is a good solution in case of lack of space and a real cost saving.
Usually, the thermometer is attached at the height of the head of the person sitting on the upper platform.
The glass must be heat-resistant and tempered. Such glass withstands the temperature of the steam room and does not crack if water gets on it. To reduce heat loss, we recommend using double-glazed windows made of this type of glass.
It depends on the ventilation of the sauna. According to the laws of physics, warm air rises - it cannot be otherwise. In this case, the supply of fresh air must take place from below or from the sides and move diagonally to the upper corner. If there are stage steps located at different heights, this temperature distribution allows each sauna user to choose the temperature that suits him.
It is possible to improve the air circulation in the steam room by installing an additional exhaust air vent under the ceiling and connecting it to mechanical ventilation.
When choosing a heater, you should keep in mind the minimum power rating (or slightly below it). You can adjust the desired temperature using the thermostat.
Safety distances are minimum distances from combustible materials, and safety distances must be observed to prevent fire. The manufacturer has determined the necessary safety distances based on studies and safety requirements; the specified safety distances must not be reduced, because then there is a risk of fire!
Do not connect the heater to the mains through the leakage current protector, the heater is sufficiently protected when grounded. The leakage current protection is suitable for use with smaller electrical appliances, such as a coffee maker.
The temperature of the steam room must be such that the person sitting on the stage sweats and feels comfortable. There is no right or wrong temperature in the sauna, because each person is different, what suits them best. Age and health also matter here. If the temperature in the steam room is high (80-100 oC), the body will not sweat easily even if you throw water on the stones to increase the humidity. A steam room with a lower temperature (50-60 oC) does not feel so dry, because enough water can be used to moisten the air. Steam receivers withstand steam and feel good and comfortable!
With traditional, ordinary heaters, it takes quite a long time before the heater stones are hot enough, and the temperature of the steam room can easily get too high. In order to keep the temperature of the steam room sufficiently and appropriately low, you need to choose a heater such as e.g. electric heater Harvia Forte (Alati Volmis), on which the temperature can be adjusted according to the need using the ventilation valve.
A broken heater must be replaced immediately, because the heaters that are still healthy have to work longer according to the thermostat adjustment, and some time later one of the currently healthy heaters may also break.
All electrical equipment that has a protective casing fixed with screws to prevent contact with dangerous live parts must be installed and maintained in accordance with current requirements and may be installed and maintained by a specialist in the relevant field, a licensed electrical engineer or other person with relevant knowledge.
During the first heating, the protective and processing substances that got into it during the various stages of work are removed from the heater. They can cause unpleasant odors and even smoke, and therefore good ventilation in the sauna should be taken care of when heating the heater for the first time. Due to the presence of unpleasant odors, a visit to the sauna during the first heating cycle is not recommended.
It should also be taken into account that if any part of the apartment has been repaired in which paint, varnish, glue, etc. have been used. substances that contain volatile ingredients (e.g. solvents), they also cause a strong "petroleum-like" odor in small quantities when such solvent vapors mixed with air pass between the hot stones and heating elements of the heater. The smell disappears when the substances used in the apartment have completely dried.
Heating the heater can also bring out other odors in the air that do not come from the sauna or the heater. Such odors include, among other things, odors arising from intense seasonings used during cooking, such as onions. The reading may also mix with the incoming air of the sauna. odors that can be felt during a sauna session due to the proximity of a car garage or an oil filler pipe.