If you want to buy an infrared sauna, the most important thing to consider is the type of infrared heating technology that is being used. The reason to use an infrared sauna is for the health benefits. This is why you want to find a company that offers an infrared sauna that has superior heating technology and also understands the importance of infrared heater positioning.
Below is a quick checklist of questions to ask before considering purchasing an infrared sauna. If they don’t fit within these guidelines, I would think twice about buying one.
What is the surface temperature of infrared heaters?
Finding out the surface temperature of your infrared heater is one of the most important questions to ask yourself before purchasing an infrared sauna. This is important because the size of the infrared wavelength is determined by the surface temperature of the infrared heater. It is scientifically proven that the lower the surface temperature of the infrared heater, the longer the infrared wavelength, and the higher the surface temperature, the shorter the wavelength.
What type of heating element is used to heat the sauna? Is it carbon or ceramic?
The two main types of heating elements used in infrared saunas today are carbon and ceramic. To get the most out of your sauna, it is very important that infrared heat is directed where it is most needed, the core of the body. Many of the traditional charcoal heaters produce high quality infrared heat, however they do not produce much. Nor is it directed at the body, but at the sauna cabin itself. These heaters work well in recumbent units or where infrared heat is within inches of the body, but not in a large sauna cabin. It is very important that heaters are made and positioned correctly to heat the core of the body and not just the air around it, as infrared energy heats the body directly … not through air. On the other hand, ceramic infrared heaters produce quality infrared heat and a lot. However, since the surface temperature is higher, the infrared wavelength is shorter and not as therapeutic. It would be best to find an infrared heater that offers both carbon and ceramic heating elements.
Does the infrared sauna offer infrared heaters that are placed on the front and back of the body?
It is very important to find an infrared sauna that offers both front and rear heaters. The main key to an effective detox is to warm up your body and, more importantly, increase your core body temperature. The core of your body houses your cardiovascular, immune, and lymphatic systems, all playing important roles in infrared therapy. Many of the infrared saunas on the market today only offer rear heaters. While this heats up the core of the body, it is not as beneficial as having heaters properly placed on the front core and on the back of the body. Having infrared sauna heaters in the front and back will help you get the most out of your infrared sauna.
Does the infrared sauna use reflected heat?
There are many sauna heaters on the market that are slim and made with a single rod with a reflector behind it. Compared to a large panel far infrared heater, the single rod often produces lower quality far infrared heat for a couple of reasons.
1. The single bar should operate at a higher surface temperature just to produce enough heat to heat the sauna cabin. Now remember, the higher the surface temperature, the less effective infrared heat will be.
2. Since these infrared heaters have a small surface area, they usually have a metal reflector behind them. It is scientifically known that if a wave passes from one medium to another, the wave changes. This means that the infrared heat that is reflected will be diluted.
So when looking for an infrared sauna, make sure it doesn’t use a reflector.
Does the manufacturer offer a lifetime warranty?
Be sure to ask about the warranty and how long infrared heaters will be covered by the warranty. You may find manufacturers who say their sauna has a lifetime warranty, but then find out that infrared heaters are not included in the lifetime warranty. There are companies that offer a full lifetime guarantee, that is, they cover all parts of the sauna: wood, heaters, electrical, controls, etc … this is a good way to determine the quality of the sauna, since the company will only want to guarantee a good product.