Infrared heaters for saunas and baths: how to choose the optimal model

Infrared emitter for sauna

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Nowadays, modern technologies are developing at such a speed that it is not always possible to keep up with them. Our bath theme is no exception here. New promising building materials are appearing, construction methods are being updated, and even new bathhouses are being invented. A simple example is an infrared sauna.

It has neither a stove nor a heater. Here, infrared emitters, which come in different types and purposes, serve as a heat source. And this unique invention truly deserves attention. We’ll talk about what types of infrared ray emitters there are below...

Advantages and disadvantages

IR equipment is compact in size and attractive in design. It is easy to install and does not require constant monitoring of maintaining the required temperature. The purchase and installation of devices is much cheaper than installing a traditional stone or brick oven. In addition, the energy costs of infrared emitters for saunas are 80% less.

A standard steam room takes at least two hours to warm up to the optimal temperature; an infrared device will take twenty minutes for this. The heater does not emit unpleasant odors and does not burn oxygen. The unit in question can be used in home mini-saunas. The housing practically does not heat up during operation, which makes it possible to mount the device on a surface made of any material.

Minuses:

For a large room you will need several devices, which is not so cheap.
If the interior of the bathhouse is made in a traditional Russian style, the unit will not fit into it.
Cheap, low-quality analogues quickly fail. Therefore, it is better to purchase equipment from official dealers who provide a warranty.

Best Infrared Saunas for Commercial Use

Large infrared boxes are most often installed in swimming pools, fitness clubs, spa centers, and hotels. Due to their large dimensions, they take up more space and take longer to heat up. But they can accommodate 4-5, and sometimes 6 people at the same time.

InfraSun Apex Smart Hemlock

★★★★★

editorial assessment

98%

buyers recommend this product

The four-person sauna from InfraSun is equipped with the latest generation carbon heaters. They have high operating power, heating a large cabin in 15 minutes. The total power of the sauna is 2900 W. The number of heaters is 10, including those in the floor.

The sauna is equipped with a color therapy system that has a calming effect. The kit also includes an air ionizer. The infrared box comes with a modern speaker system capable of playing CD/FM/MP3. The IR sauna is designed for corner installation.

Advantages:

High thermal power;
Internal management;
Color therapy;
Own acoustics;
Corner installation.

Flaws:

No outside lighting.

The Apex Smart Hemlock sauna from InfraSun, made in a modern style, will allow you to comfortably enjoy beneficial infrared heating.

Infradoc SF-5

4.9

★★★★★

editorial assessment

93%

buyers recommend this product

The large unit, designed for 4-5 people, has a discreet design. Everything, including the doors, is made of heat-resistant wood, which makes the cabin environmentally friendly and durable, and also allows it to be used in public places.

The sauna is equipped with a radio and color therapy system, which increases the benefits of infrared radiation. You can control the modes from a two-way remote control. The package includes an operation counter, which is especially important for commercial use of the box.

Advantages:

Color therapy;
Closed cabin type;
Two-way control panel;
Counter;
Radio tape recorder.

Flaws:

There is no external lighting;
No air ionization.

Infradoc SF-5 is a good solution for a large company or spa center.

Kinds

Infrared emitters for saunas are divided into three main types:

Short-wave modifications are determined visually. When activated, they glow red with a yellowish tint. The wavelength is 0.74-2.5 microns. The maximum heating of the working element is 1000 degrees. Such devices are usually installed in rooms with a ceiling height of at least eight meters. It is not recommended to stay in the halls where such equipment is located for a long period of time (with heaters running).
Models with medium waves have a working emitted length of 2.5-5.6 microns. They are designed for local heating, creating a heat flow more active and denser than their long-wave counterparts. The plate heating limit is 600 degrees. The optimal mode is achieved in literally one minute. The devices are installed in rooms with a ceiling height of three to six meters. You can stay in rooms equipped with such a heater for up to 8 hours.
Long-wave infrared emitters for saunas. Waves in the range of 50-2000 microns penetrate deeply into heated objects and people, having a beneficial effect on the body and well-being. The plate heats up to 300 degrees. The optimal operating mode for people is 5.6-1400 microns.

Advantages of IR heaters

When visiting ordinary baths, a person finds himself in a space whose air is heated by direct heat transfer from electrical, gas equipment or from steam obtained using a steam generator.

In recent decades, the popularity of saunas with IR heaters has been increasing, the operating principle of which is based on the laws of not only thermodynamics, but also optics.

It turned out that radiation in the specified range has a beneficial effect on the body, warming it from the inside surrounded by ordinary air. The advantages of infrared heaters for baths over traditional heat sources are as follows:

the heat source is small in size;
installation is simple and quick;
electricity consumption is much less than other devices;
the original concentration of oxygen is maintained in the air;
bad odors and fuel oxidation products do not accumulate in the space;
if desired, you can direct the rays locally, to one zone;
The temperature in the sauna increases quickly;
due to the absence of convection, the formation of drafts is excluded;
the proportion of moisture in the air does not change in the room;
installation in apartments of high-rise buildings is possible.

Of course, it is worth remembering the possible disadvantages; It’s better to think through all aspects in advance so as not to be disappointed later.

You should understand that such a bathhouse is not suitable for the largest companies and not for every person, so before visiting you need to consult a doctor.

Installing IR heaters in a sauna entails the need to purchase additional equipment, so the total investment will be noticeable on the budget.

The impressions from the visit are undoubtedly pleasant, but they are somewhat different from the memories of traditional steam rooms with stoves, which have their own charm.

Criterias of choice

When choosing, you should take into account the area of the room, the purpose of the emitter and its parameters:

The floor-standing equipment is equipped with an adjustable leg and serves as an additional heater.
The option with an open heating element is designed for complete or local heating of a room; the structure is usually installed on the ceiling.
Modifications with a closed heating element are suitable for any sauna interior. Models are installed in halls where the ceiling height is from two to ten meters.
Sometimes it is appropriate to install moldings over windows or doors, which will provide a barrier against drafts.
In rooms with a ceiling height of less than 3 meters, cassette-type devices are used, which are attached to a suspended structure.
Some systems operate on hot water and are designed for hidden installation.
To make it easier to regulate the temperature, you can connect a thermostat to the equipment in question.

Principle of operation

Infrared emitters for saunas (photo above) resemble a fluorescent lamp in structure and are made in the form of rectangles. The sheet metal body is coated with a special powder coating. Inside there is a heating panel with a carbon, ceramic or tubular working element. A reflector is provided on top of the heat reflector, which serves to release heat. The inside of the case is protected by a heat-insulating gasket that prevents heating of the surface of the device.

Plugging the device into the network activates the heater's action on the aluminum plate, which begins to emit waves. Energy is transferred with heat evenly, accumulating the bulk of the mass in the area of the floor, not the ceiling.

Infrared emitter Harvia Comfort

Photo: pokupki.market.yandex.ru

The HARVIA Comfort infrared radiator is a pleasant heat source that does not require any special maintenance. It warms up the body and allows you to enjoy this unique bathhouse even in a small apartment. The front panel of the HARVIA Comfort IR emitters is covered with soft, pleasant pile. The word Comfort in the marking of this series means that they are equipped with backlight. The HARVIA Comfort infrared emitter meets the strictest European safety and quality standards.

Infrared emitter Harvia Comfort

Advantages:

Quality
Safety
Compliance with international standards
Built-in wall
Protective covering
Reflector – aluminum
Heating element – stainless steel
Availability of backlight

Heating elements

If we compare infrared ceramic radiators for saunas with analogues, we can note that these elements are a plate with a nichrome conductor. It can heat up to 1000 degrees. As an alternative, a fechral transmitter with a filament operating temperature of up to 800 °C can be used. The average operational period of the device is four years.

The tubular heating element is insulated using an aluminum profile. The result is a wide, long plate, from the surface of which infrared rays emanate. One heater contains several such modules. The service life of the unit is at least seven years.

An infrared sauna with carbon emitters includes a quartz tube with a spiral carbon filament located inside. The tube is completely sealed thanks to the vacuum. The operating temperature of the device is up to 3 thousand degrees. With proper maintenance, the shelf life of the device is practically unlimited.

Which infrared sauna is best to buy?

The choice of infrared sauna primarily depends on its size. In everyday life, cabins for 1-2 people are more often used, with a maximum of 3. They take up little space and less electricity is spent heating them. Some models are even suitable for apartments. For commercial purposes and (with rare exceptions) in large country houses, cabins for 4-5 people are installed.

There are several possible options for IR heaters, but in Russia only ceramic and carbon saunas are common.

The efficiency and cost of infrared saunas depends on a number of characteristics (power, number of heaters), as well as the presence of additional functions:

Color therapy;
Built-in ionizer;
Audio system;
Remote control.

The durability and appearance of infrared saunas depends on the type of interior decoration. It uses both deciduous and coniferous types of wood. The most popular are Canadian maple, alder, hemlock and others.

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Equipment

Depending on the wavelength, the plates of infrared emitters for saunas can heat up from 260 to 600 °C. At the same time, the body does not exceed 60 degrees in this indicator. The weight of the devices varies from 3.5 to 5 kilograms, the length of the panel is 1000-1500 mm, the width and thickness is 160/40 mm.

The standard package includes the heater itself, mounting brackets and hardware, and instructions. Additionally, you will need to buy a wire with a plug (the cross-section is selected for the workload), a thermostat, automatic fuses, and magnetic starters.

type of instalation

The best infrared emitters for saunas have different installation methods:

The floor-mounted option is easy to install, but requires dedicated space. If handled carelessly, it may topple over. To do this, the model must be equipped with a special option that turns off the device in case of a fall. Pay especially attention to this if there are small children in the family.
The installation of wall-mounted versions is more complex, but they do not take up useful space and decorate the overall interior, fitting into it as harmoniously as possible.
Ceiling units are distinguished by the uniform direction of rays and heat, and have a labor-intensive and complex installation method.

The installation of infrared emitters for saunas is often done by inserting them into the corners of the room. The opening range in this case is 90-120 degrees. Using a thermostat will allow you to maintain a certain temperature regime for a long period of time. The best option would be a model with a rotating mechanism.

Infrared emitter VITAE

Photo: pokupki.market.yandex.ru
Infrared emitters of the Vitae series have several power variations of the glass-ceramic heating element. This is the most common type of emitter. At the moment, these emitters have radiation that is closest to solar heat. And thanks to a specially designed reflector, useful infrared radiation is distributed as widely as possible. All IR heaters are equipped with plugs for easy connection to the control system. The decorative protective casing is coated with a special material, thus eliminating the possibility of burns. Also, one of the most important advantages of Vitae IR heaters is that they do not require warm-up time. They immediately begin to radiate heat.

Infrared emitter VITAE

Advantages:

Glass ceramic heating element
Emission in the range of 1.4–10 μm
Possibility of installation both in the wall and in the corner
Connection cable included
500–750 W with switching current limiter
Connection – 230 VN AC 50 Hz
Dimensions – 870 x 184 x 65 mm
Instant warm-up

What should you pay attention to?

When purchasing an infrared emitter for saunas type RS350K, pay attention to a number of nuances so as not to be disappointed with the purchase:

The packaging must be free of deformation and damage; it is better if there are foam inserts.
Before purchasing, be sure to check the device for serviceability.
The unit must operate absolutely silently; any extraneous sound indicates poor build quality or a malfunction.
The seller is obliged to issue a receipt and a warranty card.
Check the data in the heater passport with the certificate.

Infrared emitter IRS 3 IR

Photo: pokupki.market.yandex.ru
The infrared emitter EOS IRS 3 IR is designed for infrared cabins. The ceramic heating element with a spiral is made of high quality aluminum. The body of the product is made of galvanized steel. Thanks to the protective grid on the device, the possibility of burns during use is eliminated.

Infrared emitter IRS 3 IR

Advantages:

Ceramic heating element
Aluminum spiral
Galvanized body
Protective grille
Quality, safety

Recommendations

Regardless of the type, infrared radiators for saunas must be placed in such a way as to provide a single thermal field that guarantees uniform heating of people. The standard installation scheme consists of 6 units: two heaters are installed on the rear wall, one on the side walls or in the corners, plus a radiator for heating the feet.

The power of the device is selected depending on the area of the room. This is due to the fact that this type of heater is not designed to heat the air, but the objects and people in the room. The higher the emissivity, the more efficient the device. One of the main criteria when choosing is the ceiling height. It is not advisable to install devices with low power in rooms with a ceiling height of more than four meters, since the rays will be scattered before reaching the floor. Also, a powerful analogue is not recommended for use in rooms with low ceilings (less than three meters). This may result in excessive heat exposure.

Infrared emitter Vitae Protect

Photo: pokupki.market.yandex.ru

New infrared emitter for private and commercial IR cabins. High-performance emitter with a quartz glass heating element, covering the entire range of useful infrared radiation. Vitae Protect is equipped with a durable housing, a protective grille, an installation cable and a diffusion glass screen that prevents moisture from entering the inside of the emitter. The equipment complies with IPX4 protection class.

Infrared emitter Vitae Protect

Advantages:

Quick start without pre-warming
High intensity and wide heating angle
Full spectrum of IR radiation – IR-A, IR-B and IR-C / 0.8 – 10 μm
Dimmable using suitable control systems
Power: 350 / 500 / 750 W
Durable stainless steel housing
Polished aluminum reflector
Glass-ceramic safety glass
Equipped with built-in surge protection
3m silicone cable included
Dimensions (H x W x D) – 985 x 198 x 60 mm
Connection: 230V 1N AC 50 Hz
Installation: on walls and in corners of the cabin, vertically or horizontally
Made in Germany

Film analogues

If we compare infrared ceramic radiators for saunas with film analogues, we can note that the second option is used as additional heating. The film is treated with a special carbon paste and equipped with the finest carbon threads. The surface of the equipment is laminated with special polyester. The heating of such a device is from 30 to 110 degrees with a beam length of 5-20 microns.

The 0.4 mm thick film, according to its characteristics, is suitable for any finishing coating. The material in question is decorated on the front side, which allows it to be mounted on the ceiling and walls. Heaters of this type are equipped with a thermostat and a wire with a plug. Service life is at least twenty years with proper use.

Panels

Flat emitters are used for rear walls. They cut into the sides of the canopy or are mounted into the lower part of the bench. The panels are distinguished by their work intensity at a maximum operating temperature of 70 degrees.

The decorative frame of flat heaters is usually made in “silver” or “gold”, which allows you to choose a model for different interiors. There are examples with a mirror surface. These options combine a mirror and a heater. Additionally, the device can be equipped with LED backlighting.

Reflectors

An infrared emitter made of ceramics for a sauna in St. Petersburg and other regions can replace a reflector. It is a curved metal plate with a reflector. This solution makes it possible to accumulate more than 90% of the emitted energy at the facility. Modifications of reflective elements correspond to the parameters of ceramic analogs of the ECS-2, FCH-2 types.

The wide reflector configuration allows the radiation to be softened and dispersed at an angle of approximately 120 degrees. Similar variations are used in small booths where a person sits in close proximity to the device. Corner analogues concentrate beams in a range of 90 degrees and are mounted in spacious saunas, concentrating heat on the bench.

Infrared emitter IR-MAT IRF

Photo: pokupki.market.yandex.ru

Panel IR emitters are usually mounted behind a wall and distribute the radiation they produce evenly. They take some time to heat up, and their radiation travels in the long-wave range.

Infrared emitter IR-MAT IRF

Advantages:

Even heat distribution
Built-in wall
Short heating time
Quality of use
Safety, reliability