How to choose a sauna furnace?
Have you decided to do something more for your physical and mental health and get a sauna right at your home? Have you already chosen the type of sauna furnace? If you haven't already, perhaps this article will help you choose the right sauna stove for your needs, focusing on the differences between electric and wood stoves.
The choice of sauna furnace depends primarily on the size of the sauna room. The power of the furnace must be in the right proportion to the size of the sauna. The location of the sauna itself, its height, air supply/exhaust, etc. are also taken into account during the selection.
Electric sauna furnace
The indisputable advantage of electric furnaces is their simple operation and maintenance. You just choose the temperature and time of sauna heating and you are equipped. The sauna can begin. Thanks to their simplicity, they are especially popular for home types of saunas, but you can also find them in public or commercial saunas. Their big advantage over wood-burning saunas is the speed of heating to the required temperature - in half the time. Temperature regulation is automatic.
Depending on the type of electric sauna furnace, for example from the Harvia brand, which we also offer, you can enjoy the pleasure of a classic dry sauna, steam sauna or herbal sauna.
The electric version of the sauna heater is therefore the optimal solution if you are looking for simple operation, fast heating of the sauna or minimal maintenance.
Wood-burning sauna stove
Wood-burning sauna stoves belong to the traditional sauna style, but they require more maintenance than electric ones. They are mainly used for external types of saunas. Unlike electric ones, it is necessary to add wood, take care of the chimney and regularly dump the ashes of burned fuel.
It should also be taken into account that the time it takes such a furnace to heat up your sauna is longer than with the electric variant, although the opposite is true for external saunas and minus temperatures outside - in that case, a wood-burning sauna furnace will serve you better than an electric one .
Last but not least, keep in mind that a solid fuel sauna requires more space and space for operation than an electric one, as it needs both nozzles and a chimney to remove fumes.
Although some may not allow the atmosphere and the typical smell that a sauna with a wood stove will create, heating with an electric heater also has its own charm and will provide the relaxation you need.
Well, what wood to heat the sauna with?
In our conditions, mostly pine or alder is used, which does not contain much resin. In the traditional "mecca" of saunas in Finland, birch or aspen is used. Make sure the wood is sufficiently dry.
What if the sauna furnace is not working?
If your sauna furnace has stopped working, first try to check the heating coils - the most common cause of "breakdown" of the furnace, which can be solved by simply replacing these coils. If the malfunction does not lie in the mentioned problem, or if you do not know how to help yourself, do not hesitate to contact experts or an electrician
