TRADITIONAL SAUNA ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS

Saunas have become a necessity in many homes due to their therapeutic benefits. So, if you've decided to install a 3-person traditional sauna for your home, you need to leverage the maximum benefits and opportunities. You'll surely have relaxing sauna healing sessions with sufficient firewood, electricity, and the best heater. Depending on which sauna heater you choose (wood-burning or electric) you'll need electrical hookups or a wood source as well as a bit of water for your steam therapy tool to function properly.

This guide will look at everything you need to know about traditional sauna electrical requirements.

The Difference Between Sauna Heater Types

A sauna heater is the nerve of the traditional steam sauna. It provides the comforting heat and sufficient steam for a relaxing sauna session. As mentioned earlier, traditional style sauna heaters can either be wood-burning or electric. Both heat your sauna in the same way, by warming the stones which then disperse the heat throughout the sauna. How they are powered is where they differ. 

Wood Burning Heater

Many sauna enthusiasts prefer the wood-burning heater as they enjoy the atmosphere of a flickering fire and the aroma. You'll need firewood for this type of sauna heater as well as a chimney kit. Although it may be more of a challenge to control the temperature of your sauna, it'll become easier as you continue using it. 

Electric Sauna Heater

While wood-burning heaters are a popular choice, so are electric sauna heaters. That is because they tend to be quite convenient once they’re set up: you can turn them on with a flick of a switch and easily control the temperature. 

An electric sauna heater uses electricity to heat the elements creating the heat required in a sauna. The electric heater requires 220 volts to heat the sauna stones, but it depends on the type of sauna you install. With an electric heater, it's recommended that you hire a qualified electrician for the wiring process. A licensed professional will ensure that they follow the National Electrical Code for new electrical connections added.

Below are the electrical requirements for the different sauna types:

• Infrared sauna: 110/120 Volts

• Traditional sauna with a wood-burning heater: 110/120 V for lighting and outlets – or none if you don't require extra lighting. 

• Traditional sauna with an electric heater: 220/240 V

  
  

Does My Sauna Need a Dedicated Circuit?

For most homeowners, electrical appliances are a source of concern. So, to function properly and ensure your electrical sauna doesn't trip a breaker, it's important to have a dedicated circuit. Depending on the type, or if you have large sauna heater to heat a large space, it is advisable and safer to use a dedicated circuit for your sauna.

How Many Amps Does a Sauna Use?

If you're looking to install a sauna in your home, you probably want to know its power consumption. It will have a different current draw depending on the sauna type you want to install, inside or outside of your home. For instance, a small portable infrared sauna has a different power consumption than a 6-person traditional sauna. 

To better understand, a current is measured in amps and is the amount of electricity a sauna needs to operate. Voltage measures how fast the electricity is provided. Therefore, all saunas have different amps amounts that vary by manufacturer, model, and more. Generally, the most common traditional saunas using electrical heaters usually use around 15-20 amps. Traditional saunas using a wood-burning heater use 30-50 amps, and infrared models use 15-20 amps. 

When adding a sauna to your home, you must ensure the sauna meets the above requirements. Regardless of the sauna type you're installing, whether it is indoor or outdoor, a licensed electrician will wire it to its circuit breaker in the electric panel. This is to ensure it meets the National Electrical Code to avoid the frequent tripping of the circuit breaker and other potential safety concerns. 

Therefore, before purchasing a home sauna kit, confirm the available capacity in your electrical panel. Most homes, especially newer ones, have over 50 amp capacities to wire a new sauna. However, some older homes have only 60 amps for the entire home. As such, you'll need to check your electrical capacity before purchasing and installing a home sauna. 

Don't fret if your home doesn't have enough power capacity! You can still upgrade your electrical panel to raise the capacity in your home.

Are Saunas Expensive to Run?

Let's face it! Your home sauna will use a lot of power to produce the heat you enjoy. While they use extra power, they only incrementally affect your electricity bill, which you'll hardly notice at the end of the month. Most traditional 3-4 person saunas usually cost around $4 to $6 monthly to operate 2-3 times a week. Although they're not "free to use," they're substantially less expensive than paying for a health or spa club membership.

Wiring an Electric Sauna Heater

Wiring an electric sauna heater should only be done by a licensed electrician. If you don't have any experience running new electrical connections, it's imperative to get professional help. These are small jobs and are usually affordable to hire out. And you can rest asssured that the National Electrical Code is followed and everything is done correctly and safely. 

If you decide to take on the wiring as a weekend DIY project, follow your local and NEC codes. Refer to the manual of the specific sauna electric heater for the correct instructions. 

Below are the steps to wire an electric sauna heater:

1. Install a circuit breaker in the breaker box (40-50 amps). Carefully read the sauna heater’s accompanying manual for the correct heater capacity and should rarely be a GFI breaker

2. Run a cable of a suitable gauge/diameter to your sauna's back wall

3. Axe the cable in the sauna to a circuit protector or a disconnect box

4. Connect the electrical wires from the disconnect box to a junction box for the heater.

5. Wire the cable from the electrical heater to the junction box. Seal the hole around the entry of the cable.

   
   

Wi-Fi Powered Sauna Stoves

A new age of Wi-Fi-powered heaters has arrived! These feature Wi-Fi-connected controllers that allow you to control your sauna from any smart device anywhere. You could be commuting home from work while setting the sauna at the right temperature so it is perfect when you arrive. 

Some of the major brands with this option are HUUM and Harvia’s Xenio Wi-Fi Remote Kit. This technology has revolutionized home ownership and experience, with many homeowners using the new design and technology.

The HUUM Wi-Fi powered stoves comes with a Wi-Fi connection via a mobile application. HUUM branded stoves in particular have stunning heaters reflecting the predecessor wood-burning saunas we've known for ages. Besides being an amazing work of art (see images below), a Wi Fi controlled HUUM Sauna stove delivers a superior heat and steam and works like the typical electric sauna. They also have a large stone capacity that allows users to generate more steam for a more intense sauna experience.

The HUUM electric sauna heaters that we carry include the Hive, Drop, and Hive Mini. All available with power ratings between 3.5kW to 18kW. This means you can get the best heater for your sauna bathing experience, whether for a large health club facility or vacation rental or your small personal home sauna. 

The Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to connect to a smart device such as a smartphone or UKU sauna control. This allows you to set the ventilation, heating, temperature, and time remotely from anywhere. This saves you time and ensures that your home sauna is at optimal temperature for when you get home. 

Don't Want to Deal with Traditional Sauna Electrical Requirements?

Suppose you prefer the old-school style saunas that don't need electricity. In that case, you can go for the wood-burning stoves for their authentic experience. They're the least expensive sauna option and come with an unforgettable nostalgic ambiance. Wood burning stoves has a soul-warming scent that adds to the relaxing benefits of your home sauna. 

Wood-burning stoves don't run on electricity, meaning you don't need an electrician to wire it for 220V. However, there's a trade-off where you'll need to install a vent or a chimney. Another downside is that it's challenging to control your sauna's temperature. Usually, wooden sauna stoves take longer to heat up from a cold start.

 In some areas, wood is not cheap, and if you're in a major city without a nearby forest, softwood can cost up to $300/cord, and hardwood can go up to $600/cord. 

Summary

The right type of sauna entirely depends on you. Maybe you want an electric sauna's fast and convenient properties or prefer the traditional experience of a wood-burning sauna stove. With either option, you'll find that a home sauna will help you and your family escape everyday stresses and leave you relaxed and at peace. Let's look at the benefits of each type:

Benefits of Electric Heated Sauna Stoves

• Cleaner and easier to maintain

• Easier to install as there's no chimney stack needed

• Easy to use: You just run the programming device or flip a switch

Benefits of Wood-Heated Sauna Stoves

• More radiant heat for better steam production

• Promotes the ambience of the outdoors

• Provides an authentic way to heat up a sauna

For the best sauna experience, it's crucial to understand how it operates and what you need. Go for a heating source that works best for your specific needs. Choose which one fits your lifestyle best and will allow you to escape the day-to-day stresses, leaving you refreshed and relaxed. If you are unsure of the ideal heating source or want to learn more about traditional sauna electrical requirements, browse our electric heater collections or contact us – we would be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you find the best sauna heater for you.