Size guide: What size sauna heater do I need?
Choosing a sauna’s size involves balancing comfort and geometry. Note that if the heater is too small, the sauna will take hours to heat up and may never reach the desired temperature. Otherwise, choosing a heater that is too large will quickly raise the air temperature. At the same time, before the stones have time to accumulate enough energy for a good steam. Here you need to find the “golden mean.”
That is, the ideal ratio between the stove and the room. Of course, this point is discussed in any blog on a similar topic. In this article, we will help you understand this issue. Here you will find recommendations on how to choose depending on your goals. Don’t skip the most interesting part!
Why is bigger not always better?
It is a common misconception that the most powerful heater available is the optimal solution. Honestly, a heater that is too large creates a “partial cycle” problem. That is, the air climate gauge will quickly detect a sharp rise and turn off the heating elements. Since the air heated up rapidly, most of the stones in the combustion chamber did not have time to heat up properly. If water is added at this point to create steam, the stones will be warm. Instead of a pleasant cloud, there will only be a puddle on the floor.
To avoid this, always refer to the power table. This information can be found in the operating instructions. These tables list each power in kW along with its minimum and maximum volume in m³. The only guarantee of trouble-free operation is compliance with the range recommended by the manufacturer. Instead, there may be increased wear on the mountings or heating element. It is desirable to have a high ceiling. If the ceiling is around 2 meters high, the empty space above your head will heat up. The only ways to fix this are to lower the ceiling or make the heater bigger.
How to choose the right size?
Certainly, there are numerous models available that cater to all budgets. Not all of them can be useful. Meanwhile, the wrong product can only do harm. Therefore, before making your final choice, pay attention to these tips:
- Measure again. Use the formula length x width x height in meters to find the size.
- Take glass into account. Add 1.2 m³ to the total volume for every 1 m² of glass or stone wall.
- Check the voltage. Actually, the electrical network in the house may not be able to withstand the current of a larger heater. For instance, an 8 kW heater requires a 40 amp circuit breaker.
- Ceiling height. If the ceiling height exceeds 2 m, it is necessary to heat additional air volume.
- Combustion chamber capacity. Note that heaters with more stones take longer to heat up but provide more vapor.
- External factors. If you live in a cold climate (e.g., Canada), choose heaters with a higher power range. By the way, insulation and open air have a significant impact.
Of course, there are other aspects that are worth considering. However, we want to provide general information. Everyone should focus on their budget and type of home. For many homeowners, it is not practical to fit such equipment at all.
A guide to size selection
In general, the key factor is the volume of the room. Firstly, you need to calculate the cubic volume. To do this, use the formula above. Naturally, each cubic meter of space requires approximately 1 kW of power. By the way, if your sauna measures 2 × 2 × 2, then the volume is 8.4 m³. This means that you need to purchase a model with a power of 8-9 kW. Another common mistake is to only take these figures into account. When choosing the size, you must consider the cold surfaces in the room.
Typical wooden saunas have good insulation that keeps heat in. But if your design includes glass doors, windows, or stone walls, then no. Instead, these materials absorb heat. You should add at least 1 cubic meter to the total calculation. This means for every m² of uninsulated surface. Undoubtedly, it is imperative to determine the «effective volume» prior to purchasing a device from a retail company.
Get some warmth right away
Actually, selecting the size requires considering your requirements as well as your intended spending limit. Note that conventional heating cannot be compared to Finnish traditions. By choosing the right Harvia sauna model, you will get effective, high-quality warmth for the rest of your life.
You can save money on utilities and take a break. Don’t leave your comfort to chance. Not sure which model to buy? Get in touch with our manager right now! We will help you calculate the effective volume and select the device that best suits your needs. So, let’s create the sauna of your dreams together!
