Saunas: 10 Mistakes to Avoid

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Mike Henson

10 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying
A Far Infrared Sauna!

Copyright 2010 by J.M. Henson and Bulldog Publications
Any reproduction or use of this material is expressly prohibited. All Rights Reserved

The purpose of this website is to provide straightforward accurate information regarding the features, components, safety and materials of far infrared sauna kits. Your investment in a far infrared sauna is a decision you want to make correctly the first time, so a proper foundation in the basics is essential. A good quality far infrared sauna will last you a lifetime.

TRADITIONAL SAUNAS VS INFRARED SAUNAS

The advent of radiant heat revolutionized the sauna industry in the United States beginning about 8 years ago. The wide range of dynamic health benefits of infrared therapy has been medically documented and proven effective for many years now. Quality carbon panel heat emitters have taken the effectiveness and comfort of Far Infrared Saunas to a new level compared to the old technology of ceramic heaters

Traditional saunas (steam saunas and hot rock) have become obsolete due to the increased benefits of superior technology. Steam and Hot Rock saunas utilize the principle of Convection Heat, which means they heat the air and then the hot air heats the body. Temperatures inside conventional saunas reach 170 -210 degrees Fahrenheit. These high temperatures can damage your eyeballs and irritate other sensitive body tissues.

Due to high air temperature and excessive humidity, many people report feeling light headed, claustrophobic and having difficulty breathing in traditional saunas. Convection heat doesn't actually penetrate your body very deeply, since it heats from the outside to the inside. This limits the detoxification efficiency of steam and hot rock saunas, with only 2- 4% of your sweat containing expelled acids, toxins and heavy metals.

Far Infrared Saunas utilize the principle of Radiant Heat, which is heating a specific object directly: in this application, the human body. Far Infrared Light Waves, calibrated at the resonant frequency of the human body (9.4 microns) are emitted and aimed into the interior of the sauna. This Special Bandwidth of Light Energy penetrates your body tissues up to 2-3 inches deep below the skin. The Light Energy is converted into Heat Energy. In Physics, this reaction is called Direct Light Conversion. This special form of electromagnetic energy excites the body tissues and fluids at the cellular and molecular level. The congested fat/water tissues, which store the majority of collected toxins in your body, are broken down into smaller particles. These toxins may now be expelled through your skin, carried by the smaller water clusters. With an Infrared Saunas, from 15-20% of your sweat will contain toxins and environmental pollutants! Detoxification is an important cornerstone for many of the documented health benefits of Infrared Sauna Therapy.

The Long List of Proven and Effective Health Benefits of Far Infrared Therapy, documented over the past 25 years, have replaced the traditional saunas as a comprehensive tool for optimum health maintenance and disease prevention. Infrared Saunas create sweat containing 15 -20% toxins! The best tool available for a full body detoxification, bar none!

Far Infrared Saunas have provided Serious, Results Based Therapy for more than 100 different health conditions (including Cancer Therapy) over the past three decades. The air temperature inside an infrared sauna is 30-50 degrees lower than conventional saunas.... remember, we are heating the body directly, not the air... and with the deep heating characteristics of Far Infrared, You will sweat 2-3 time more than with your Grandpa’s sauna, since we are heating the body from the inside/out.

Far Infrared Saunas offer An Inviting, Comfortable Atmosphere with warm, gentle heat waves rolling over your entire body. It’s much Easier to Breathe, much Safer to Use and Provides 10 Times the Health Benefits!

For a list of health conditions for which Far Infrared Therapy has proven beneficial, please click on this link: Healing Powers of Infrared Sauna Therapy.

Now that we have a better understanding of the technical advantage and results based approach of Far Infrared Saunas, How do You Know What to Look For in determining the Best Value when shopping for an Infrared Sauna?

INFRARED HEATERS: CARBON vs. CERAMIC

1. TYPES OF HEATERS: There are several different types of Far Infrared Sauna Heaters. Inefficient, poor quality heaters will require that you spend more time in your sauna in order to achieve results. They also directly affect your personal comfort and safety during your sauna sessions.
   Here is list of FIR (Far Infrared) heaters in use today by different manufacturers and their qualitative assessment.
   1. Incoloy or Steel Rod Heaters: Infrared spectrum produced by these emitters is too broad for maximum effectiveness. Heat emitters use a reflector tray to compensate for the fact that the majority of infrared energy is directed away from your body. Much of the infrared heat doesn’t travel far enough to penetrate your body. Hot spots and poor coverage throughout the sauna cabin. Used by only a small number of manufacturers in today’s market.
   2. Ceramic Rods/Ceramic Tubes filled w/ Sand/Ceramic Concave Blocks: Ceramic heat emitters have several shortcomings:
      1. SAFETY: The surface temperature of ceramic emitters is simply too hot at approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Ceramic emitters have been known to scorch the back rests of saunas. It is virtually impossible to lean back on the backrest directly in front of the heater due to this heat. Uncomfortable.
         
         Due to this excessive surface heat, many manufacturers have metal screens and face plates in front of the heaters to limit skin burns if you touch them inadvertently. These are minimally efficient and burns can still be an issue. Metal Face Plates block infrared transmission, further impeding ceramic’s efficiency.
         
         To my knowledge, there are no FIR sauna manufacturers using ceramic heaters which incorporate electrical overload safety ‘shutoff’ sensors on their heat emitters. A cost cutting measure which is a safety oversight.
      2. DURABILITY: Ceramic heat emitters are significantly cheaper than quality carbon panels and have a comparatively short life expectancy. The life expectancy on most ceramic emitters is 3 – 8 years.
      3. COMFORT: Due to the high surface temperatures of the ceramic emitters, it is difficult to be positioned directly in front of the ceramic rods or ceramic concave blocks. Hot and cold spots, due to ineffective heat emission, in the sauna make it difficult to find a comfortable, relaxed position for more than a few minutes. Portable, one size fits all; ergonomic backrests are a common accessory for this type of sauna. I find portable backrests to be cumbersome and unnecessary.
      4. EFFICIENCY: The small surface area of the ceramic rod and tube heaters limits the amount of infrared energy emitted into the cabin toward your body. These 17” tube heaters are mounted vertically between the inner and outer wall of the sauna. Since the rod emits energy in a full circle radius, half of the energy is directed toward the outer wall! “Half Pipe” Reflector trays mounted behind the tubes distort the proper bandwidth when the reflected energy from the shiny trays is redirected into the sauna. Reflected energy collides with newly emitted light waves, further restricting light energy flow toward the inside of the cabin and the sauna user.
         
         Location and Size of ceramic heaters prevents even heating of the body. Widely spaced heaters, with the top of the heat emitters being only shoulder level, neglect the face and head area, which is very important to heat evenly along with the rest of your body.
         
         There are no ceramic floor/feet heaters since they present a safety issue. A major design problem, since it is important to heat the feet to expel toxins and lactic acid buildup, soothe tired feet and relieve joint related pain.
         
         Ceramic Heat Emitters represent the old technology, but are still widely used in Infrared Saunas. They are much cheaper than quality carbon panels to manufacture. Most Infrared Sauna manufacturers are price oriented, rather that quality driven.
   3. Fiberglas Panels with Carbon Fiber Sprayed On: These are thin, cheap imitations, often covered with a felt cloth. Weak signal strength and poor durability. Lack proper thermostat safety sensors. Panels are generally too small to provide good infrared coverage. Not enough panels in the sauna to heat the body efficiently.
   4. Organic Carbon Fiber Panels / Carbon Wave 360 System: Large, flexible, 100% organic carbon panels provide the most advanced infrared heating system available in today’s marketplace. Carbon Wave 360 Panels contain 17 proprietary minerals and have been independently tested to provide 95% efficiency in emitting a powerful 8-12 micron signal, which is the range that is most easily absorbed by the human body.
      
      Maximum coverage heater surface area equals greater infrared energy absorption. Look for a quality sauna to surround you with heating panels, including large back, side and front panels with expansive lower leg and floor panels. This full body coverage will give you the most health benefits in the shortest period of time.
      
      Quality Carbon Panels have a life expectancy of 20-25 years.
2. WIRING SAFETY: Most cheap saunas have cheap wiring configurations; thin gauge wires which are poorly insulated and improperly shielded for EMF/electro-magnetic frequencies. Light gauge wiring does not hold up well over time and may present a safety issue.
   
   Proper EMF wire shielding protects the sauna user from stray radiation and prevents wiring from coming into direct contact with wood (fire hazard). Many low end manufacturers also neglect to encase the Central Processing Unit, Power Converters, Junction Blocks and Circuit Board Relays in a safe, metal enclosed housing.
   1. Your Safety is a prime consideration at Rocky Mountain Saunas. All electrical wiring is the proper gauge with heavy duty insulation. All high potential electrical wiring is encased in metal flex conduit covered by insulation and is EMF shielded. Junction terminals and all operational circuitry are encased in a sturdy steel housing. Two individual thermostats/Safety Sensors, connected to each heating panel, are designed to shut off the individual panel in the event of electrical overload or high voltage fluctuations. Our stringent safety precautions are documented by four independent safety company certifications.
3. SAFETY CERTIFICATIONS: Obviously, a prime concern. An Intertek ETL Semko Standards Certification is solid assurance that your sauna has been thoroughly tested to meet all safety and performance requirements for the United States and Canada. Electronic Testing Laboratories (ETL), founded by Thomas Edison, has been testing product safety since 1896. Intertek is the world’s largest independent testing, inspection and certification partner with more than 70 offices and laboratories on six continents.
   1. Rocky Mountain Saunas is committed to making your safety a #1 Priority. Multiple Independent Safety Certifications are your guarantee that our infrared saunas have met the highest level of quality construction, electrical safety and performance standards.
   2. Below is a list of current Rocky Mountain Saunas Safety Certifications by reliable, independent companies authorized to approve the sauna safety standards in North America, Canada and the European Union.

4. ASSEMBLY SYSTEMS: Here’s where cheap saunas tip their hand on quality control.
   1. Saunas that use exterior buckles and clips compensate for poor workmanship, misaligned hardware and sloppy tolerance limits. Walls don’t quite meet properly, but can still be forcefully clamped together since the tang or loop on the buckles is 1 ½” in width and can compensate for tolerance gaps. Walls that have been forced together will warp and bow over time. Buckles are unsightly on the exterior and make your sauna look cheap.
   2. Magnets aren’t strong enough to hold the sauna walls securely in place if you should bang up against the wall. Magnets also don’t provide a tight, consistent fit from top to bottom between adjacent walls. Misalignment of hardware further weakens the structural integrity.
   3. Side Clasps mounted on the sides and edges of walls are better, but can often be misaligned, causing one wall to be higher than another. Now the roof won’t fit properly. Improperly cut walls sometimes prevent the slide clasps from being joined at all. A common problem with ‘assembly line’ products.
   4. Bolt/Anchor System: A good bolt/anchor system requires tight tolerance wall construction and precise, pre-drilled hole alignment. With a countersunk steel anchor to receive the bolt, which secures the side panels to the front and back panels, you avoid stripping out the wood and allow for proper reassembly in case you have to move your sauna.
      
      The Bolt/ Anchor System delivers a tight, secure fit and a solid, durable assembly. No air leaks. Also provides for wood expansion during hot and cold temperature exposure without cracking and warping.

Note: All Rocky Mountain Saunas have been assembled at the manufacturing facility and subjected to a 65 point operational and quality control check. The sauna is then disassembled and each panel is individually wrapped and packaged in heavy duty cardboard cartons with custom designed Styrofoam corner blocks and thick Styrofoam sheets on top and bottom and between panel layers for maximum protection during shipping.

5. WALL CONSTRUCTION: An obvious component in determining quality and value in an infrared sauna. This is where many manufacturers ‘cut corners’ again. The majority of sauna manufacturers have inner and outer walls that are 3-5mm thick. Thin walls don’t hold up to the wide swing of temperature ranges required of a sauna. Thin walls are more likely to warp, bow and develop cracks over time. Thin walls dissipate heat. Most inexpensive Infrared Saunas use inferior grades of lumber in their product. Panels with an excess of knots are one sign of cheap grade woods. Inferior quality woods can warp, twist, cup, splinter, crack, split and chip.
   1. Rocky Mountain Saunas uses Number 1 grade Canadian lumber to hand fabricate panels that are a double wall construction with a thickness of 7-9 mm for the inside and outside wall of each panel; the thickest walls in the industry. Guaranteed against defects in workmanship and materials for as long as you own your sauna.
6. TYPES OF WOOD: All Far Infrared Sauna woods need to be kiln dried to about a 10% moisture content to prevent warping. All sauna woods should be non out gassing. Knotty wood is unacceptable, as it leads to cracking and splitting. Low price saunas generally use thinner and marginally cured woods that are subject to warping, etc., with continued exposure to the hot/cold temperatures of a sauna. Commonly used woods in infrared sauna manufacture include:
   1. Aspen: Soft, light and low in strength and stiffness. Non-toxic. Poor decay and shock resistance. Dents and scratches easily. Too soft to prevent warping with constant heat exposure.
   2. Basswood: Also known as linden. Soft, light, low in strength. Popular among hobbyists for model building and wood carving. Again, too soft for long term durability.
   3. Fir, White: Light, soft, moderately stiff. Low strength and shock resistance. Poor decay resistance. Some saunas that use fir produce a distinct odor.
   4. Pacific Coast Hemlock: Very stable with little tendency to cup, check or twist. It yields clean, straight edges and accurate contours. The combination of stability and smoothness has made Hemlock a favorite wood for the construction of saunas. An excellent choice if you have allergies, as it has very low resin and no odor.
   5. Western Pine: Moderately stiff, low strength and shock resistance. Soft, light and good stability in service. Not normally recommended for saunas as it has high resin content and is subject to out gassing, which can irritate eyes and nasal membranes. Knots are common.
   6. Sitka (Spruce): Moderately low in strength, but very high strength to weight ratio. Light and soft with low decay resistance. Non out gassing, but prone to excessive knots. Rough exterior. Some splitting and cracks are common.
   7. Poplar: A non out-gassing wood, but most species are typically soft and light with low ratings for strength, stiffness, decay resistance and durability. Moderate heat retention. Not as stable as some woods under hot/cold conditions. Easily bruised and dented.
   8. Canadian/ Western Red Cedar: Renowned for its natural beauty and outstanding physical properties that make it one of the world’s most unique species. Low shrinkage factor and superior to all other coniferous woods in its resistance to warping, twisting and checking. With its low density and high proportion of air spaces, Canadian Cedar is the best thermal insulator among the woods commonly used for sauna construction. Excellent durability. Non out gassing when properly kiln dried and treated to remove volatile oils. Best heat retention and durability for outdoor locations.
   9. California Redwood Generally straight grained with a medium rough texture. A light and soft wood with moderate stiffness, very good decay resistance and good stability in service. Heat retention is average. High cost limits widespread use. Durability is good.
7. BACKRESTS: I’m amazed that most manufacturers still use horizontal slat backrests. It is literally impossible to lean back on a horizontal backrest and be comfortable. The slats dig into your ribs and spine. Ouch! Cheap saunas builders save money by not having an adequate number of backrest slats.
   
   Wide spaced horizontal slats allow arms, elbows and hands to come in direct contact with carbon panels or ceramic face plates. Poor design and definitely not safe.
   1. Portable Backrests: A half baked measure to compensate for heat emitter ‘hot spots’ and uncomfortable, widely spaced horizontal slats. Many dealers sell a “One Size Fits All” backrest… looks good, works bad. Cumbersome, unstable and ill fitting. You really don’t need a “little wooden friend” in the sauna with you.
   2. Hand Crafted Vertical Dowels, spaced closely together, have been “people tested” to be the most comfortable backrest for an Infrared Sauna. Infrared Light Waves are directed around the dowels, in a cone shaped emission, allowing for optimum body exposure. More wood is used to fabricate this style backrest, so it is more expensive to produce, but well worth it in terms of comfort and satisfaction.
      
      Vertical dowels allow you to be close to the emitting carbon panels without “hot spots” and you can lean against the backrest without having to wiggle around all the time looking for a comfortable position. The close spacing of the vertical slats prevents wayward fingers from touching the carbon panels. This is an important safety feature!
8. SAUNA DESIGN AND ENGINEERING: Certain features in design can directly affect a sauna’s efficiency.
   1. Too Many Glass Panels on the front and sides of a far infrared sauna means that you will not have enough room for an adequate number of infrared heaters. This primarily occurs in the front of a sauna, so heaters for the front of the body don’t exist where there is too much glass. Large carbon panels that surround the sauna user as much as possible are preferable in order to provide maximum coverage and infrared exposure.
   2. Inadequate Number of Heating Elements and Panels: This is a feature that you need to compare visually. Look for lots of pictures of the sauna interior. Poorly designed saunas have fewer heating elements and smaller heating elements, reducing the manufacturer’s cost. Quality saunas have large carbon panel coverage on all walls, including front heaters on either side of the glass door, lower leg heater in the front of the bench seat and floor heater.
   3. Many saunas have inexpensive, lightweight hinges to support a heavy glass door. This can lead to a door that sags and doesn’t close properly. Look for heavy duty, stainless steel hinges that support the glass and framework properly. Piano door hinges are a red flag.
   4. Cheap saunas have weak floors that sag and buckle when you place significant weight on them. Ask the sales representative if their floors are reinforced and their weight limit.
   5. Thin Inner and Outer Walls of the cabin panels are one of the most common shortcomings of inexpensive saunas. They just won’t hold up to the hot and cold temperature swings over time. Warping, bowing, cupping and splitting are a problem.
      
      Infrared Saunas with thin walls don’t hold the heat in the cabin well. They are more expensive to operate and more prone to damage.
9. THIRD PARTY INTERNET RESELLERS: Websites that generally offer a large range of health related products and act only as a reseller in a drop ship capacity. Primarily deal in price driven, low end saunas with limited information and pictures available to the consumer about what is actually being sold. (i.e. number of heaters, types of heaters, interior view, and construction details, etc.)
   
   Typically, it is difficult to reach a knowledgeable representative by phone with these types of vendors. Customer service can become an unpleasant experience due to poor infrastructure, long waits between communication, and absolutely no ‘in house’ warehouse stock of replacement parts. Cheap generic brand stereos. Limited Term Guarantees on product. Lack of proper safety certifications.
   
   There are discount retail stores that are actually third party resellers, as well. Many unsuspecting customers purchase a generic sauna with the idea that all saunas are created equal. Try finding out how customer service claims are handled for these ‘knockoff’ brands and if you can even find a phone number for a representative in the United States.
10. WARRANTIES AND CUSTOMER SERVICE: Many infrared sauna companies offer ‘Lifetime Warranties’ these days, so it is important to know more about the Company’s history, longevity, and BBB rating. Ask your representative exactly how their Company would handle a typical Warranty claim to ensure that they have a responsive, efficient system in place to resolve your concerns in a timely manner. Make sure that the terms of the Condition of Sale/Warranty are readily available for your perusal.
    
    Rocky Mountain Saunas offers unsurpassed Customer Service and a Full Coverage Lifetime Warranty against defects in workmanship and material, and All Electrical and Interior Components. (Kenwood Stereo carries a one year unconditional replacement warranty)
    
    Your Lifetime Warranty is in effect as long as you own your sauna.
    
    Replacement parts are modular and easy to install with live phone service assistance available. All parts are shipped, Postage Paid, within 24-48 hours. Qualified personnel, located in the United States, handle all Customer Service and Technical Support issues.
    
    Live Customer Service Support is available 8-6, MST, Mon-Sat.

The Sweetness of Low Price is Soon Forgotten with the Bitterness of Poor Quality

Your Infrared Sauna is a long term investment in your commitment to a proactive, responsible health maintenance program. A handcrafted, top quality sauna is only a few pennies more than an inferior brand, measured over just a few years of use. Owning a State of the Art, well-constructed, infrared sauna pays big dividends in terms of an enjoyable, comfortable experience, physical benefits, dependability, appearance, enhanced features and worry free use.

Rocky Mountain Saunas is the Ultimate Value in InfraRed Saunas. Carbon Wave 360 Technology = the Largest and Most Carbon Heater Panels in Every Model = Maximum Results in Less Time. Precision Handcrafted Quality in a Commercial Grade Sauna at Affordable, Factory Direct Prices. More Standard Features, Full Coverage Lifetime Warranty, Free Shipping and a 90 Day Risk Free Trial/ Money Back Guarantee.

Rocky Mountain Saunas offers Standard Features like LED Chromotherapy Light System, Reinforced Floor Heating Panel, Multiple Safety Certifications, Handcrafted Workmanship, Ergonomic Vertical Dowel Backrests, EMF shielding, Oxygen Ionizer, Upgraded, hideaway Kenwood AM/FM/CD Stereo w/ MP3 outlet, Interior 12V hookup for TV, and Deluxe Crown Molding and much more at prices competitive with saunas that offer few/none of these features.

We invite you to our website: www.RockyMountainSaunas.com where you can see detailed inside/out views of every model and feature. We provide accurate, up to date information on everything from infrared technology to documented medical studies regarding specific health issues. From proper woods for infrared sauna construction to personalized tips for best infrared sauna results. You Will Find Everything You are Looking For at: www.RockyMountainSaunas.com. Thank you for considering our firm for your Commercial or Residential Infrared Sauna purchase.

Visit Us: www.RockyMountainSaunas.com

We hope this information has been helpful. If you should have any further questions, Please call us at 1-888-358-1270, or email us at: sales@rockymountainsaunas.com

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