Are Gas and Wood Burning Devices a Thing of the Past? An Electric Sauna Heater is the Perfect Choice
Modern electric heaters recommended for saunas are designed specifically for them. Therefore When connected and used correctly, they are safe.
The greatest concern is usually caused by the steam room mode, in which water is poured onto hot stones.
The design of the furnaces is developed in such a way that so that water does not damage the heating elements. They are either protected from penetration or are able to withstand it due to the properties of the materials.
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Benefits of Using an Energy Efficient Electric Sauna Heater
The popularity of electric heaters is due to a number of advantages compared to traditional wood stoves. Their much easier to use. There is no need to fire up the stove, just turn on the appliance. Most models can maintain temperature automatically in a sauna at a given level. This is more difficult to achieve when heating with wood. The heat is less uniform, since it depends on the amount and degree of combustion of wood in the stove, and this is more difficult to regulate.
With an electric oven, you won't have to prepare firewood And resolve the issue of their storageThere is no need to clean the internal chambers or the floor in front of the firebox door, where ash and coals can fall.
Easier and cheaper and installation will be possible, since no chimney is required. The electric stove is suitable even for a sauna located in an apartment.
Another plus is fire safety. The electric stove can be switched off immediately if necessary. There is a switch-off button for this, as well as sensors and timers.
When the desired temperature is reached, the electrical appliance switches off, but the wood stove continues to operate. Therefore, the first option is also more economical. In addition, an electric heater starts warming up fasterThe room is heated more efficiently.
Reference. Due to the absence of a firebox, electric furnaces have a smaller size with the same power. This allows you to save space in the steam room.
What types of electric ovens are there?
The stoves are designed for different conditions. They are used in small family saunas and in commercial baths. Therefore, the stoves differ in their characteristics. But the principle of operation is the same for all of them.
Characteristics, how much electricity the device consumes
One of the important characteristics of the equipment is power. It is this that determines what room the stove can effectively heat. The power and approximate dimensions of the steam room are indicated in the product passport. As a rule, 1 kW is enough to heat 1 cubic meter of sauna.
Electric ovens can be rated for voltages of 220V or 380VThis point must be taken into account when choosing the appropriate model.
The furnace body is manufactured made of stainless, carbon or galvanized steel. The first one lasts longer and is therefore preferable. But it has a drawback: stainless steel is more expensive.
Photo 1. Electric sauna stove made of stainless steel. The heater is fenced with a net.
Galvanized steel releases harmful substances when heated. That is why it is used only on the outer part of the furnace body, which does not heat up as much. Carbon steel tolerates heat better. But it begins to corrode faster, especially in places where it connects to the legs or where the body parts connect to each other.
Often the body is covered heat-resistant paint or enamelSometimes it is covered with stone - talc chlorite, serpentine, etc.
Important! The stone body not only looks better. Such a stove retains heat longer, and the radiation becomes softer.
Device: body, heating elements, steam generator
Electric sauna heater includes components such as:
- heating elements;
- a body designed for a certain volume of stones;
- remote control;
- steam generator.
The furnace body consists of made of two layers of steel, between which there is free space. It serves for more even heat distribution.
Attention! Before switching on Be sure to fill the body with stones. Without them, the heating elements will overheat and a fire may start.
The remote control can be built-in or remote. Sometimes both options are used. The remote control is connected to the oven with a wire protected from heat and moisture.
Almost all control options allow you to set the temperature and operating timeSome have the ability to program the turn-on time.
There are also other options, such as different operating modes, configuration via the Internet, etc.
The steam generator is not present in all models. Water is added manually or automatically. And some ovens also have built-in containers for aromatic oils.
When switched on, the heating elements heat up. From them the heat passes to the stones and the steam generator (if present). Sensors monitor the temperature and signal to stop heating once it reaches a certain level. When it drops, the oven starts working again. It is also set to turn off after a certain amount of time.
Important! Sensors located not in the stove itself, but at some distance from it, work more accurately. But the wires leading to them, must be reliably protected from the effects of temperature and moisture.
Recommendations for selection
There are quite a few different models of electric ovens on the market. To make the right choice, you need to consider several factors:
- sauna dimensions;
- estimated number of people and frequency of use;
- Features of the electrical network;
- intended location in the room;
- etc.
It is also important to check the documentation when purchasing. It should contain the product passport, installation manual and two certificates: on the electrical appliance itself and its fire safety.
Room volume
The required power of the stove depends on the size of the room. For heating 1 cubic meter of steam room, if it is properly insulated, it is enough 1 kWIf the insulation is not sufficient, a more powerful device will be required.
The power of the stove must be selected accurately depending on the characteristics of the room, and not "with a reserve". A stove that is too powerful will quickly dry out the air and will consume more electricity than necessary. And a lack of this characteristic will not allow you to reach the desired temperature (or the sauna will take too long to heat up).
Controls
The remote control is more convenient because it allows you to turn on and adjust the stove without even entering the steam room. That is, it will warm up during the preparation period for the bath procedures. On the other hand, with built-in control, it is easier to change something in the process. Duplicated systems have the advantages of both.
Photo 2. Remote control panel for an electric sauna heater from the manufacturer Harvia.
Remote controls have varying levels of complexity. But the more options it has, the more expensive the device becomes. As a result, in some cases the cost of the remote control itself will be higher than the cost of the stove. Therefore, when choosing, it is recommended to decide which functions will be used frequently and which ones can be done without.
Heater type
Electric furnaces use heating elements elements of two types: tubular and tape. Heating elements — these are tubes made of carbon or corrosion-resistant steel. They are heated to a fairly high temperature, at 700-800°C. But tubular electric heating elements are more fragile. And therefore they break more often.
LENs are made of stainless steel, but in the form of strips wound on a ceramic frame. They heat up to lower values, about 400-500°CBut this is enough to heat the steam room.
LENs are more durable than heating elements and create a more comfortable environment in the sauna. The room heats up faster. But tape heaters do not allow contact with water. Because of this, as well as lower temperatures, tubular systems are used for steam generation.
Important! Direct contact of the heating element with water is still undesirable, especially with cold water. Therefore the tubes are closed with stones, and the liquid is poured onto them.
Therefore, for those who like to steam in a bathhouse, stoves based on a heating element are more suitable. There are devices with two types of heaters. They combine the advantages of both, but are also more expensive.
Exterior of the stove
Electric heaters come in various shapes, which depend on the location in the sauna.
Rectangular, cylindrical and even round stoves are placed in the center of the room or near the wall. Triangular ones are designed for installation in the corner. This saves space.
Another way to save space — placing the stove on the wall. Such models have special fastenings. They are regular (rectangular) and angular.
Useful video
Watch the video, which tells about the features of electric sauna stoves, and analyzes the structure of the devices.
Installation Features
This device is installed only in such a room, where there is a grounding circuit. Moreover, it must be separate.
You will also need a device that will turn off the power in case of overheating or short circuit. And only temperature- and moisture-resistant wires are used.
As with the installation of furnaces operating on other types of fuel, it is essential to maintain distances to the walls. These distances are specified in the furnace passport, since they depend on the design features. In some cases, protective screens will also be needed.
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