Sauna Heater Options for Sustainable Heating

Home saunas have never been more popular among Americans. The US market is currently worth around $400m and is expected to rise by a further $137m between now and 2028. But while home saunas align with the wellness priorities of millennials, some might worry about the power consumption of their sauna heaters. The good news is that with a little thought, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of a home sauna without compromising your sustainability principles.

Electric Sauna Heaters Are More Sustainable Than You Think

There is a false assumption among prospective US sauna owners that an electric heater is not energy efficient. In fact, for many users, electric is the most sustainable choice. Premium electric sauna heater brands like Harvia are made with energy efficiency as a main priority. They are designed with moderation in power consumption and optimal heat generation in mind. The sauna heater has a thermostat that regulates the heating elements to keep the heater at the required temperature for the duration of the sauna session. It typically takes about 30 to 40 minutes to reach optimum temperature, after which is uses around 50 percent power to keep the temperature even.

The other important thing to remember with electric sauna heaters is that they are far more precise. You can set them to an exact temperature for exact periods of time. Some can even be set remotely from a mobile app. It means you can operate an electric sauna heater far more efficiently, having it switched on only when needed and not a second longer.

Use Renewable Energy to Power Your Sauna Heater

If you generate your own energy from renewable sources, you can enjoy guilt-free consumption. The most common source is solar, and about 4.2 million family homes have solar panels. That number is expected to treble by 2030. If your home is not among them, it is well worth considering for a completely guilt-free sauna experience!

Other renewable energy sources that you can install in the home include biomass and wind turbines. If these are not appropriate for your home, look into switching to an energy supplier that uses renewable sources.

Consider an Infrared Sauna

One of the latest and most popular innovations in the home sauna world is the infrared sauna. These are generally considered more environmentally friendly as they operate at a lower temperature. This means they typically use around half the power of a traditional sauna.

Infrared saunas are also more compact, so can be used in the house, meaning there are fewer of the heat-loss issues associated with an outdoor sauna. The only potential downside is that the overall experience is quite different when you use an infrared sauna, so it is worth trying one out at a health club or spa first to make sure it is for you.

Follow Eco-Friendly Sauna Practices

Regardless of the type of heater, there are some best practices you can follow to maximize the sustainability credentials of your sauna session. One of the most important is to minimize heat loss through the best insulation. This could also influence your choice of sauna style. For example, pod saunas and cabin saunas typically have thick insulation, while barrel saunas just have a single layer of wood panels.

Another important consideration is the sauna size. Obviously, a larger sauna needs a more powerful sauna heater, so think hard about your needs and choose a sauna that is large enough to meet them and no larger.

The third point to consider is the use of sustainable building materials. Most traditional saunas are made from wood, which is one of the most sustainable materials available. However, it is important to check that is harvested responsibly and sourced from properly managed forests. This is typically easy to check, as ecologically responsible sauna suppliers will usually provide plenty of information about their green credentials.