“How to choose the right size sauna heater” article will help you find the right size sauna stove for your sauna. Not sure where to find the perfect sauna heater for your sauna? This article provides tips and a few rules to help you make the right decision. Always check the manufacturer for more detailed instructions.
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How to choose the right size sauna heater
The stove is the heart of the sauna
It is often said that the stove is the heart of the sauna and it does have an important role in heating the sauna. The function of the stove is to heat the stones of the stove hot so that steam can be created in them. This way, we can enjoy the steam and sauna.
These instructions and dimensions are indicative. They are valid when purchasing an electric heater. You should check the heater manufacturer’s website for more detailed instructions.
There are many things to consider when choosing a stove size:
- What is the size of the sauna?
- Is there a concrete wall or floor in the sauna?
- Is there a window in the sauna?
- Is there a glass wall in the sauna?
- Is there a glass door in the sauna?
- Are all the walls insulated?
- What is the maximum number of people in the sauna?
- How often do you use the sauna?
- How is the ventilation in the sauna?
- How is the thermal insulation in the sauna?
Read more: How to build a basement sauna – 7 Tips
How to choose the right size stove
In saunas that are less than 10 m³, the power of an electrically heated heater should be around 1 kW / m³. In other words, if you have a 10 m³ sauna you need an electric heater with a power of 10 kW.
“In saunas larger than 10 m³, a lower power-to-volume ratio can be calculated. However, the 0.7 kW / m³ guideline requires that the sauna does not have any uninsulated wall or ceiling surfaces such as windows, glass walls or doors, or that they are not larger than 0.5 m².
If the sauna has a glass, brick or concrete surface, 1.5 m³ must be added to the volume of the sauna for each such wall surface. The glass door and the window are considered for parts above the floor that are more than 0.6 m high.”
The text above is cited from Rakennustieto’s book Saunan suunnittelu.
Electric heaters
There are electric heaters for every sauna, and the heater’s choice is purely a matter of taste. You should choose one that suits your sauna and its style. Of course, the physical size of the stove should be also considered when choosing a stove for a sauna. Make sure you have enough space around your heater. Some heaters also require a certain height in relation to the ceiling.
There are different types of electric heaters:
- Sauna stove with legs,
- wall-mounted stove,
- pilar stove or
- always-ready sauna heater.
When installing an electric heater, consider how close to the wall you can place it. Check whether some non-combustible material is needed for the wall or floor.
Behind a wall-mounted stove, a sufficiently strong board must be placed on the wall for fixing the stove. Keep in mind that the stove weighs a lot more with stones.
The manufacturer’s installation and safety instructions must always be followed. The safety distances in the installation instructions are the result of careful testing and cannot be reduced even if non-combustible plates are used. So be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Note! The stove and shower should never located on different sides of the same wall.
Read more: 5 ways to build a sauna
Stove installation and control devices
When choosing a stove, it is worth considering where you want the control center of the stove to be located. You can also buy remote-controlled heaters. These need to be placed outside the sauna. With the remote control, heating the sauna is convenient and fast and you can always monitor the heat.
The controls should be installed so that they are easy and safe to use.
There should be no sockets or switches in the steam room. All circuits other than those connected to the heater must be RCD protected.
To install a sauna heater, you need an authorized electrician. The only thing you should do in the sauna yourself is to replace the lamp.
I hope this article was helpful to you when you are looking for information on how to choose the right size stove. It may take some time to find the best heater. Get to know the brands and selections carefully. I promise it is worth it!
Love, Sauna-Kati
Source: Rakennustieto’s Saunan suunnittelu book
