Some Facts About Infrared Saunas and Things to Watch Out For
Is Far Infrared better than Infrared?
Far infrared is the correct term, but most people call it infrared.
They mean far infrared.
Do you need a high temperature to sweat and detoxify in an infrared sauna?
What makes you sweat in an infrared sauna is not the temperature in the sauna, but how much infrared you
absorb. It's just like laying in the sun. You don't immediately start to sweat, but the longer you lay in the sun, the
more infrared you absorb and the warmer you become. Eventually you go inside because you are too hot. The
air temperature didn't change, it's the infrared from the sun that made you warm. It's the same in a sauna.
Only ceramic heaters produce the best infrared.
There are many ways to produce infrared. What is important when comparing heaters is that the heaters
produce far infrared between 5 and 15 microns with as much as possible around 9.4 which is the best micron
range. It doesn't matter what type of heater is used. Most sauna manufacturers use ceramic because it is a
dependable heater that works well in saunas.
You cannot produce infrared at 9.4 microns.
You cannot produce infrared exactly at 9.4 microns.
This is how it works. All heaters produce some infrared at
9.4 microns. However, heaters that fluctuate between 8 - 10
microns will produce a lot more infrared in the 9.4 range
than heaters that fluctuate between 5 - 15 microns. This is
because the wave will hit 9.4 more often. The chart on the
right shows this. The best infrared for the body is at 9.4
microns, so heaters that produce the most infrared in this
range will benefit you the most.
Far infrared is the correct term, but most people call it infrared.
They mean far infrared.
Do you need a high temperature to sweat and detoxify in an infrared sauna?
What makes you sweat in an infrared sauna is not the temperature in the sauna, but how much infrared you
absorb. It's just like laying in the sun. You don't immediately start to sweat, but the longer you lay in the sun, the
more infrared you absorb and the warmer you become. Eventually you go inside because you are too hot. The
air temperature didn't change, it's the infrared from the sun that made you warm. It's the same in a sauna.
Only ceramic heaters produce the best infrared.
There are many ways to produce infrared. What is important when comparing heaters is that the heaters
produce far infrared between 5 and 15 microns with as much as possible around 9.4 which is the best micron
range. It doesn't matter what type of heater is used. Most sauna manufacturers use ceramic because it is a
dependable heater that works well in saunas.
You cannot produce infrared at 9.4 microns.
You cannot produce infrared exactly at 9.4 microns.
This is how it works. All heaters produce some infrared at
9.4 microns. However, heaters that fluctuate between 8 - 10
microns will produce a lot more infrared in the 9.4 range
than heaters that fluctuate between 5 - 15 microns. This is
because the wave will hit 9.4 more often. The chart on the
right shows this. The best infrared for the body is at 9.4
microns, so heaters that produce the most infrared in this
range will benefit you the most.
Infrared Heaters
| Fumigation |
There is a sauna dealer that states on his website that you should not buy a sauna that is made in China because
Canadian Customs sprays the wood with chemicals to de-fumigate it at the port of entry. Think about this for a
minute.....does this mean that Canadian Customs opens every container that contains wood products, unloads it,
opens all the boxes, stacks up the contents and sprays it with chemicals, then packs it back up and packs it back in
the container. This is not only totally untrue, it's also totally ridiculous. Raw lumber may need to be sprayed, but
NEVER finished wood products.
We checked with our factory on this and they told us that the only time they have to fumigate any wood that is being
exported is if it is raw wood. If the saunas were packed in wood crates, then those crates would have to be
fumigated for bug control. Because they are packed in cardboard cartons and because the saunas are a finished
wood product made with kiln dried wood, no fumigation is required.
Canadian Customs sprays the wood with chemicals to de-fumigate it at the port of entry. Think about this for a
minute.....does this mean that Canadian Customs opens every container that contains wood products, unloads it,
opens all the boxes, stacks up the contents and sprays it with chemicals, then packs it back up and packs it back in
the container. This is not only totally untrue, it's also totally ridiculous. Raw lumber may need to be sprayed, but
NEVER finished wood products.
We checked with our factory on this and they told us that the only time they have to fumigate any wood that is being
exported is if it is raw wood. If the saunas were packed in wood crates, then those crates would have to be
fumigated for bug control. Because they are packed in cardboard cartons and because the saunas are a finished
wood product made with kiln dried wood, no fumigation is required.
| Wood and General Info |
Isn't cedar supposed to be the best wood for saunas?
Cedar has been used for years in wet/dry traditional saunas. The reason is because it is very suitable for that
application because it can get wet and dry continuously and it won't rot. Because infrared saunas are a dry heat and
self sanitizing, the type of wood used does not matter. Some woods that are used are hemlock fir, cedar, basswood,
poplar, oak, and spruce. Hemlock, basswood, and poplar are the three woods that have almost no odors and no
toxins. Therefore they are the best wood to use if the sauna is used for health purposes. Cedar is a good looking
wood, but is not practical for health reasons because it can cause respiratory irritation and future health problems
for some people so why take a chance.
Are the toxins released during sweating harmful and don't you need an Ionizer to kill them?
Toxins released during sweating are in the sweat, they don't float in the air. Most people take a towel into the sauna
to sit on and the sweat accumulates in the towel. Some of the sweat could accumulate in the wood from leaning
against the walls or backrest, and on the bench, but it is not harmful. It's not like you have to protect yourself
against the toxins you sweat out for fear that they will get back into your body or make you sick if you absorb them or
breathe them in. They are MORE harmful already being in your body, the best thing you can do is sweat them out.
An ionizer will only make the air fresher in the sauna and cut down on the "sweat" smell. Ions attach to whatever is
floating in the air and drop it to the ground. Therefore there is less pollutants in the air and the air smells fresher.
Only cedar will stop bacteria and mould from forming in your sauna.
Infrared saunas are a dry heat and self sanitizing. Neither bacteria, mold, or mildew will grow in an infrared sauna. It
is not the wood that matters, it's the dry heat that keeps infrared saunas sanitary.
Don't all sauna manufacturers kiln dry their wood?
No. Only the better saunas. The cheaper sauna manufacturers cannot afford to kiln dry their wood because it costs
a lot of money to do that. So they air dry the wood usually for about 30 days. They do this by stacking the wood on
racks with spaces between each slab. However, it is very humid in China, so the wood never really dries properly.
This is why manufacturers that do this only warranty their saunas for 1 year. Once the wood dries out, it can warp
and crack very easily. Some mfg say they kiln dry their wood, but they only do so for 7 to 10 days. That is not near
enough to cure it properly. It must be kiln dried for at least 45 days.
Aren't glass doors better because wooden doors warp?
What makes any wood warp is not being kiln dried properly. Glass doors give the sauna a nicer look, but they are
not used because wooden doors warp. Wooden doors have been used for many years in saunas and still are. We
have never had any of our wooden doors warp in all the years we have sold saunas. Dealers that tell you that
wooden doors warp might be trying to scare you because they only use glass doors and want you to buy their sauna.
Are saunas that use Glass instead of Wood better?
Whether glass or wood is used doesn't make a difference. What does make a difference is this. Mfg. that make
saunas with glass fronts cannot put heaters on the front walls. Therefore, they put the front heaters on the side
walls. By doing so, you get very little infrared on the front of your body no matter which way you sit in the sauna. I
was actually going to bring these in a few years ago, but after sitting in one, I changed my mind. They looks nice, but
it's not a good design.
Cedar has been used for years in wet/dry traditional saunas. The reason is because it is very suitable for that
application because it can get wet and dry continuously and it won't rot. Because infrared saunas are a dry heat and
self sanitizing, the type of wood used does not matter. Some woods that are used are hemlock fir, cedar, basswood,
poplar, oak, and spruce. Hemlock, basswood, and poplar are the three woods that have almost no odors and no
toxins. Therefore they are the best wood to use if the sauna is used for health purposes. Cedar is a good looking
wood, but is not practical for health reasons because it can cause respiratory irritation and future health problems
for some people so why take a chance.
Are the toxins released during sweating harmful and don't you need an Ionizer to kill them?
Toxins released during sweating are in the sweat, they don't float in the air. Most people take a towel into the sauna
to sit on and the sweat accumulates in the towel. Some of the sweat could accumulate in the wood from leaning
against the walls or backrest, and on the bench, but it is not harmful. It's not like you have to protect yourself
against the toxins you sweat out for fear that they will get back into your body or make you sick if you absorb them or
breathe them in. They are MORE harmful already being in your body, the best thing you can do is sweat them out.
An ionizer will only make the air fresher in the sauna and cut down on the "sweat" smell. Ions attach to whatever is
floating in the air and drop it to the ground. Therefore there is less pollutants in the air and the air smells fresher.
Only cedar will stop bacteria and mould from forming in your sauna.
Infrared saunas are a dry heat and self sanitizing. Neither bacteria, mold, or mildew will grow in an infrared sauna. It
is not the wood that matters, it's the dry heat that keeps infrared saunas sanitary.
Don't all sauna manufacturers kiln dry their wood?
No. Only the better saunas. The cheaper sauna manufacturers cannot afford to kiln dry their wood because it costs
a lot of money to do that. So they air dry the wood usually for about 30 days. They do this by stacking the wood on
racks with spaces between each slab. However, it is very humid in China, so the wood never really dries properly.
This is why manufacturers that do this only warranty their saunas for 1 year. Once the wood dries out, it can warp
and crack very easily. Some mfg say they kiln dry their wood, but they only do so for 7 to 10 days. That is not near
enough to cure it properly. It must be kiln dried for at least 45 days.
Aren't glass doors better because wooden doors warp?
What makes any wood warp is not being kiln dried properly. Glass doors give the sauna a nicer look, but they are
not used because wooden doors warp. Wooden doors have been used for many years in saunas and still are. We
have never had any of our wooden doors warp in all the years we have sold saunas. Dealers that tell you that
wooden doors warp might be trying to scare you because they only use glass doors and want you to buy their sauna.
Are saunas that use Glass instead of Wood better?
Whether glass or wood is used doesn't make a difference. What does make a difference is this. Mfg. that make
saunas with glass fronts cannot put heaters on the front walls. Therefore, they put the front heaters on the side
walls. By doing so, you get very little infrared on the front of your body no matter which way you sit in the sauna. I
was actually going to bring these in a few years ago, but after sitting in one, I changed my mind. They looks nice, but
it's not a good design.
| Most sauna dealers are honest businessmen who believe in their product and have good product knowledge. But there are a few unscrupulous dealers that will say just about anything to make a sale. Therefore I would like to give you the facts so you could make a better decision in choosing a sauna. |
| This is a sauna with carbon heaters. A lot of the heaters are above your head where they don't do any good. Over the past few years some sauna mfg. started using these heaters and their competitors followed suit. Now most of them have gone back to ceramic heaters and offer carbon heaters as an option. Carbon heaters are more expensive, but do not produce better infrared. |
Some manufacturers that use carbon heaters claim that carbon
heaters are better because they give better coverage and better
infrared. They use a lot of heaters in their sauna covering the back
and side walls and even the floor with heaters. They claim that
because of this you are getting more infrared and imply that you
are not getting enough infrared with any other heaters. They even
put pictures of different heaters on their website showing how big
their heaters are and how small the other heaters are as if size had
anything to do with it.
The reason they need so many carbon heaters in their sauna is to
produce the same total wattage as other saunas do with less
heaters. It doesn't matter if you use 5 heaters to produce 1500
watts or if you use 20 heaters to produce 1500 watts, you will still
get 1500 watts of infrared. Sauna manufacturers put the right
number of heaters in each sauna based on the size of the sauna so
that no matter what size of sauna you use you will get the same
amount of infrared per cubic foot. You can read testimonials on
many websites of how much infrared saunas have helped people,
not just those that use carbon heaters. Carbon heaters are not
better, they are as good as any other type of heater that produces
infrared in the same micron range.
Over half of the heaters used in the carbon fibre sauna are above
your head so you don't get any benefit from the top half of the
heaters in the sauna. So you actually get LESS INFRARED on your
body in this sauna.
Also, carbon fibre heaters take a lot longer to warm up. We have
had a few customers buy a sauna with carbon heaters and return it
because the carbon heaters simply did not get hot enough and the
sauna took 45 minutes to warm up.
IN CONCLUSION, CARBON FIBRE HEATERS ARE NOT BETTER, THEY
ARE AS GOOD AS CERAMIC. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT MICRON
RANGE IS PRODUCED, NOT WHETHER THE HEATERS ARE CARBON
FIBRE OR CERAMIC. THE MORE INFRARED IN THE 9.4 RANGE THE
BETTER THE HEATER.
heaters are better because they give better coverage and better
infrared. They use a lot of heaters in their sauna covering the back
and side walls and even the floor with heaters. They claim that
because of this you are getting more infrared and imply that you
are not getting enough infrared with any other heaters. They even
put pictures of different heaters on their website showing how big
their heaters are and how small the other heaters are as if size had
anything to do with it.
The reason they need so many carbon heaters in their sauna is to
produce the same total wattage as other saunas do with less
heaters. It doesn't matter if you use 5 heaters to produce 1500
watts or if you use 20 heaters to produce 1500 watts, you will still
get 1500 watts of infrared. Sauna manufacturers put the right
number of heaters in each sauna based on the size of the sauna so
that no matter what size of sauna you use you will get the same
amount of infrared per cubic foot. You can read testimonials on
many websites of how much infrared saunas have helped people,
not just those that use carbon heaters. Carbon heaters are not
better, they are as good as any other type of heater that produces
infrared in the same micron range.
Over half of the heaters used in the carbon fibre sauna are above
your head so you don't get any benefit from the top half of the
heaters in the sauna. So you actually get LESS INFRARED on your
body in this sauna.
Also, carbon fibre heaters take a lot longer to warm up. We have
had a few customers buy a sauna with carbon heaters and return it
because the carbon heaters simply did not get hot enough and the
sauna took 45 minutes to warm up.
IN CONCLUSION, CARBON FIBRE HEATERS ARE NOT BETTER, THEY
ARE AS GOOD AS CERAMIC. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT MICRON
RANGE IS PRODUCED, NOT WHETHER THE HEATERS ARE CARBON
FIBRE OR CERAMIC. THE MORE INFRARED IN THE 9.4 RANGE THE
BETTER THE HEATER.
| Canadian Manufacturers |
There are two Canadian sauna manufacturers left in Ontario and Quebec, but their saunas are very expensive due
to labour and other costs. The rest are made overseas. Some dealers claim that they are the manufacturers, but
they don't actually manufacture their saunas in Canada. They are only manufacturers technically because Canada
Customs considers them the manufacturer because they are the importer, but they do not have a Canadian
manufacturing facility. Or they will consider themselves manufacturers because a factory overseas makes their
saunas for them (like ours does). By saying they are the manufacturer, the customer could assume that the saunas
are made in Canada. If you want to know for sure, ask the dealer if their saunas are actually "Made in Canada."
to labour and other costs. The rest are made overseas. Some dealers claim that they are the manufacturers, but
they don't actually manufacture their saunas in Canada. They are only manufacturers technically because Canada
Customs considers them the manufacturer because they are the importer, but they do not have a Canadian
manufacturing facility. Or they will consider themselves manufacturers because a factory overseas makes their
saunas for them (like ours does). By saying they are the manufacturer, the customer could assume that the saunas
are made in Canada. If you want to know for sure, ask the dealer if their saunas are actually "Made in Canada."
This is the type of heater that most sauna manufacturers use which
is the standard of the industry. Different sauna manufacturers may
call it by different names, but it is most likely exactly the same
heater. This heater will produce far infrared between 5 and 15
microns which makes it suitable for detoxing and general health.
These heaters radiate infrared 360 degrees so reflector plates are
placed behind the heater to protect the wood and to direct the
infrared into the sauna. It is a good basic heater that is very
reliable and will last many years. We have used this heater for
several years in our Pro Health Models and have many
testimonials confirming the health benefits from our customers.
We use the Ultra Wave 9.4 Heaters in our Royal Deluxe saunas
which produces more infrared in the 9.4 range.
is the standard of the industry. Different sauna manufacturers may
call it by different names, but it is most likely exactly the same
heater. This heater will produce far infrared between 5 and 15
microns which makes it suitable for detoxing and general health.
These heaters radiate infrared 360 degrees so reflector plates are
placed behind the heater to protect the wood and to direct the
infrared into the sauna. It is a good basic heater that is very
reliable and will last many years. We have used this heater for
several years in our Pro Health Models and have many
testimonials confirming the health benefits from our customers.
We use the Ultra Wave 9.4 Heaters in our Royal Deluxe saunas
which produces more infrared in the 9.4 range.
These saunas do not have heaters on the front walls.
The green line is 5 - 15 and the red line is 8 - 10 microns.
| EMF in Saunas |
There are some concerns about the amount of emf exposure in infrared saunas. Because we have always been
very health conscious and have a 30 minute sauna every morning, a few years ago I tested our entire home for emf.
I found that we were getting much more emf in the kitchen, from our computer monitor, and in the bedroom than we
did from our sauna. Our saunas have emf shielded cables so the least emf was generated by the heaters. The
outside lights on the other hand gave off the highest amounts of emf. The color therapy lights gave off very little,
and the radio gave off very little. Actually the most emf in the sauna was along the back wall of the sauna where
the power cord was plugged in to the electrical outlet. When you compare that to the high amounts of emf in the
kitchen or at the computer, where the readings were much higher, it is very insignificant. Also, when you compare
the emf exposure from a 30 minute sauna per day to the emf exposure you get from 12 hours per day in your home,
at your computer, and at work, it is again very insignificant.
We cannot escape emf. It is everywhere. The wiring in our homes, the amount of electrical appliances we use, our
computers (monitors and keyboards and especially wireless modems), and our work places are full of emf. Some of
us live close to high voltage power lines, microwave towers, use a cell phone a lot, a microwave oven, a hair
blower, a cordless phone, have a clock radio beside our bed, and have a high voltage box on our front lawn. Not
to mention the amount of emf in the walls of your house, sometimes right at the head of your bed where you get
high emf for 8 hours every night (like ours was). These are the real hazards.
Of course we should minimize our emf exposure, but the best places to do so is in high exposure emf zones where
we spend a lot of time each day. A sauna is not one of those places and emits very little emf in comparison. You
can buy various "neutralizers" to ward off EMF, but I haven't seen one yet that is proven to actually work. The best
remedy is to cut down your exposure in areas where you are getting a constant flow of EMF for long periods of time.
A very good book on the subject is "Cross Currents" by Dr. Robert Becker. ISBN # 0-87477-609-0
If you want to test your home for emf and don't have a gauss meter which is quite costly and only a real good one
will give accurate readings, you can do so with a transistor radio (if you still have one). Tune it off station and turn
up the volume. When you are in a high emf zone it will buzz loudly, when you are in a low emf zone it will buzz
quietly. This way you can compare the high and low zones in your home and workplace.
IN CONCLUSION, I WOULD NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT EMF EXPOSURE IN INFRARED SAUNAS BECAUSE IT IS VERY
MINIMAL COMPARED TO EXPOSURE FROM OTHER SOURCES. YOU WILL GET FAR LESS EMF FROM A SAUNA THAN
YOU WILL FROM OTHER EMF PRODUCING SOURCES SUCH AS YOUR COMPUTER OR IN YOUR KITCHEN WHERE YOU
SPEND A LOT MORE TIME THAN IN YOUR SAUNA. EVEN A CLOCK RADIO BESIDE YOUR BED WILL GIVE YOU EMF FOR
8 HOURS EVERY NIGHT.....FAR MORE THAN YOU WOULD GET FROM A 30 MINUTE SAUNA.
very health conscious and have a 30 minute sauna every morning, a few years ago I tested our entire home for emf.
I found that we were getting much more emf in the kitchen, from our computer monitor, and in the bedroom than we
did from our sauna. Our saunas have emf shielded cables so the least emf was generated by the heaters. The
outside lights on the other hand gave off the highest amounts of emf. The color therapy lights gave off very little,
and the radio gave off very little. Actually the most emf in the sauna was along the back wall of the sauna where
the power cord was plugged in to the electrical outlet. When you compare that to the high amounts of emf in the
kitchen or at the computer, where the readings were much higher, it is very insignificant. Also, when you compare
the emf exposure from a 30 minute sauna per day to the emf exposure you get from 12 hours per day in your home,
at your computer, and at work, it is again very insignificant.
We cannot escape emf. It is everywhere. The wiring in our homes, the amount of electrical appliances we use, our
computers (monitors and keyboards and especially wireless modems), and our work places are full of emf. Some of
us live close to high voltage power lines, microwave towers, use a cell phone a lot, a microwave oven, a hair
blower, a cordless phone, have a clock radio beside our bed, and have a high voltage box on our front lawn. Not
to mention the amount of emf in the walls of your house, sometimes right at the head of your bed where you get
high emf for 8 hours every night (like ours was). These are the real hazards.
Of course we should minimize our emf exposure, but the best places to do so is in high exposure emf zones where
we spend a lot of time each day. A sauna is not one of those places and emits very little emf in comparison. You
can buy various "neutralizers" to ward off EMF, but I haven't seen one yet that is proven to actually work. The best
remedy is to cut down your exposure in areas where you are getting a constant flow of EMF for long periods of time.
A very good book on the subject is "Cross Currents" by Dr. Robert Becker. ISBN # 0-87477-609-0
If you want to test your home for emf and don't have a gauss meter which is quite costly and only a real good one
will give accurate readings, you can do so with a transistor radio (if you still have one). Tune it off station and turn
up the volume. When you are in a high emf zone it will buzz loudly, when you are in a low emf zone it will buzz
quietly. This way you can compare the high and low zones in your home and workplace.
IN CONCLUSION, I WOULD NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT EMF EXPOSURE IN INFRARED SAUNAS BECAUSE IT IS VERY
MINIMAL COMPARED TO EXPOSURE FROM OTHER SOURCES. YOU WILL GET FAR LESS EMF FROM A SAUNA THAN
YOU WILL FROM OTHER EMF PRODUCING SOURCES SUCH AS YOUR COMPUTER OR IN YOUR KITCHEN WHERE YOU
SPEND A LOT MORE TIME THAN IN YOUR SAUNA. EVEN A CLOCK RADIO BESIDE YOUR BED WILL GIVE YOU EMF FOR
8 HOURS EVERY NIGHT.....FAR MORE THAN YOU WOULD GET FROM A 30 MINUTE SAUNA.
| To See the Spectral Analysis for this type of Infrared Heater Click Here |
| Roofs and wall boards can shrink leaving gaps once the wood dries out. This is why it is important to kiln dry the wood properly. |
| See Our Video on You Tube on Buying a Sauna |
| THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CARBON FIBRE AND CERAMIC HEATERS. |