Your sauna room is much more than just a welcoming space, where you can enjoy the warming embrace of dry heat or wet heat. Central to the function of your sauna is the heater itself, the piece of equipment that heats the rocks, which means that choosing the right kind of heater is essential for optimal performance.

The aim of this quick and essential guide is to help you understand what sauna heaters are, how they work, and important details to consider when buying a new sauna heater. We will also highlight some of the most reputable and trusted brands, recognized for their quality and performance among consumers in the United States.

What Are the Different Types of Sauna Heaters?

There are three main types of sauna heaters used in both residential and commercial sauna installations, referenced by the power source they use. These are electric, gas, and wood burning sauna heaters, each with their own advantages depending on the type of sauna installation you have, and which power source is most convenient for your needs.

Electric Sauna Heaters

One of the most commonly used power sources for indoor and outdoor saunas, electric sauna heaters are quick and easy to install, and they don’t require a chimney or ventilation. However, it’s always recommended to get a fully licensed electrician to perform the installation.

But the main advantages of an electric sauna heater is the convenience and ease of use, simply activated by the flick of a switch, although WiFi and programmable options are also available.

When choosing the make and model of an electric sauna unit, 240 volt options are typically associated with residential applications, and 208 volt for commercial settings in the United States.

Also, the kilowatt (KW) rating is important to note, as this reflects the ideal size of room for usage. For example, if your sauna has 280 cubic feet or interior space, then an electric sauna heater with 6kw capacity will usually be sufficient. But as a general rule of thumb, the bigger the space you’re heating, the larger the kilowatt capacity needs to be.

For American consumers, the most popular and trusted electric sauna brands include Harvia, Finlandia, Saunacore, HUUM, Tylo, Scandia, Saunum, and Homecraft. Each offer their own unique designs and styles.

Gas Sauna Heaters

Highly regarded for their energy efficiency, gas sauna heaters are a popular choice when either natural or propane gas feeds are available, whether in residential or commercial properties. Nevertheless, you will always need a qualified HVAC professional to perform the installation.

Although gas sauna heaters tend to come with a higher upfront cost, mainly for the unit and installation, over time they are more cost-effective to run. This is particularly useful to know, especially when frequently using your sauna at home, and for high usage that’s normal in commercial settings.

In the United States, the Scandia brand of gas sauna heaters has earned widespread recognition, making their products the safest and most highly recommended.

Wood-Burning Sauna Heaters

Easily the most authentic type of sauna heater for traditional, wood-burning stoves have been used to heat saunas for generations. Although simple and effective, capable of generating lots of heat, you will need a chimney and ventilation. For this reason it’s always worth seeking the advice of an experienced contractor for installation.

Wood-burning sauna heaters and stoves are most commonly used for outdoor sauna installations, as they can be used as part of a completely off-grid lifestyle, so long as you have access to logs and kindling. The emphasis here is that there’s no need for any other kind of power source, such as electricity or gas.

There’s also a more natural feel to burning wood, plus the unmistakable ambience of the fire itself, crackling away with genuine rustic charm.

Ease of installation and use makes wood-burning saunas popular in rural areas, where access to electricity or gas is limited. But it’s always worth investing in the right quality, so Harvia and HUUM wood sauna heaters are two of the most reputable brands for American consumers.

How Does a Sauna Heater Work?

No matter what power source you use, whether electric, gas or wood-burning, no sauna is complete without the sauna rocks, which serve far more than just a decorative purpose. They are the vital component that absorbs and stores heat from the power source.

Alone, the sauna rocks will radiate the dry heat produced by the sauna power source, but they also provide the primary function that most people seek in their sauna. When scoops of water are poured over the rocks, the high temperature they have absorbed will produce steam, providing the wet heat and humidity inside your sauna.

Now that you understand the basic essentials covering sauna heaters, choosing the best power source for your needs is really up to you. Just remember that size and capacity matters, as does the kind of sauna experience that each will provide, along with the practicalities of which power source is most convenient for your sauna installation.