Tips and Tricks

Here we share some of the interesting questions we get asked during our meetings and chats with our potential sauna buyers.

It is probably the most asked question - what type of heater is the best for your sauna? Of course, the answer is... it depends... Here are some basic thoughts:

Heater Type	Wood-burning	Electric
ADVANTAGES	.	.
Heat Quality	Provides a traditional, dry heat with a pleasant aroma.	Consistent heat output with precise temperature control.
Ambiance	Creates a cozy and rustic ambiance.	No need to handle firewood, cleaner appearance.
Cost	Generally lower operating costs, especially if wood is readily available.	Initial purchase cost might be lower. Lower installation complexity.
Off-Grid Capability	Operates without electricity, suitable for off-grid locations.	Requires electricity to operate. Not suitable for off-grid setups.
DISADVANTAGES	.	.
Maintenance	Requires regular cleaning of ash and chimney maintenance.	Minimal maintenance required, but periodic checks for electrical issues are necessary.
Heat Control	Heat regulation might be less precise, reliant on wood burning rate.	Accurate temperature control, but might lack the same ambiance as a wood stove.
Convenience	Requires effort to start and maintain a fire.	Relatively quick heat with the flip of a switch.
Environmental Impact	Produces emissions and relies on wood, which can contribute to deforestation and air pollution.	Generally considered more environmentally friendly due to lower emissions.
	Fire risk from handling wood and potential chimney fires.	Generally safer due to absence of open flames and reduced fire risk.

Of course - feel free to get in touch on email, whatsapp or call us (+32 460 200 4444) if you wish to have more personal advice.

IVOCs stand for Volatile Organic Compounds. These are chemicals that can evaporate into the air at room temperature. In the context of saunas, VOCs can come from various sources such as wood treatments, finishes, cleaning products, and even personal care products used by sauna users. Or even a wood burner - here is Finnish research on that.

Some common VOCs found in saunas include formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene.

Exposure to high levels of VOCs in saunas or any enclosed space can potentially lead to health issues such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, and in some cases, more serious health effects with prolonged exposure.

To minimize exposure to VOCs in saunas, it's important to ensure proper ventilation, use low-VOC or VOC-free products for sauna construction and maintenance, and avoid using strong chemical cleaners or personal care products in the sauna.

Regular cleaning and proper ventilation can help maintain a healthier indoor air quality in sauna environments.

You can build within permitted development rules as long as you are not in an area that controls wood smoke (an area covered by the Smoke Control Act). The fine for releasing smoke in such an area is usually £300. Here is a link to a smoke control map.

Some people are experiencing a default setting where the electric Harvia heater only allows to set heating time for 1 hour. Is there a workaround for this? Yes!

From standby mode press and hold for ten seconds these four buttons: Heater On, - , Menu and +. Set S-01 to on. Then the max time limit can be set. On the Wifi version, you can just set the time limit on your app.

Harvia sauna heater manuals can also be found here.

Although it is theoretically possible, we have not come across one such set-up. People tend to opt for wood burning heaters for portable saunas. There are some cases when people also use diesel generator or a propane heater.

However, if you are up for it, you can calculate the kW usage of your heater versus the size of a pack. For example, a Tesla 100kW pack powering a 10kW heater will last 10 hours, in ideal conditions. Take out at least 10-20% of that, just to be on the safe side.