Home saunas have never been more popular and affordable in the US. Indeed, data from the American Institute of Architects suggests they are second only to exercise rooms in terms of popularity as a specialist function room for the US home. Demand has driven supply, and there are more choices for America’s would-be sauna owners than ever. One of the key decisions for buyers is whether to choose a wood, gas or electric sauna heater.
Electric is clearly winning the race. Data from Mordor Intelligence suggests that in terms of unit sales, electric sauna heater exceed gas and wood sales combined. Here, we will look at the benefits of an electric sauna heater and find out why so many American homeowners choose electric over gas, wood or infrared.
A bigger choice of sauna heaters
When you choose gas or wood, you might find yourself limited for choice. But there are literally dozens of electric sauna heaters on the US market from top North American manufacturers such as Scandia and Saunacore.
As well as being able to choose from these and other leading manufacturers, there is a wide selection of size and power options, ranging from 3KW to 21KW. The extra functionality offered by an electric sauna heater, which we will discuss further in just a moment, means a still wider choice, and that can never be a bad thing.
Touch of a button convenience
A log sauna sounds great in theory, but it takes time and effort to get it fired up. Then, of course, you have to wait at least an hour for it to get up to temperature. That’s one thing if you are enjoying a luxury spa retreat in a remote cabin and have nothing else to do, but it’s another matter for someone who wants to enjoy a quick sweat in the sauna before work or after a run.
An electric sauna can simply be switched on half an hour before you need it and it will be all ready for you. With the latest electric sauna heaters, you can even preset your sauna to come on at a certain time, or switch it on remotely using a phone app. Perfect if you are stuck in traffic and want some relaxation time as soon as you get home. Find the best electric sauna heater for relaxation and wellness.
Precision control
When we said “ready for you” above, we meant just that. You can set an electric sauna to your exact temperature preferences, and can even have different settings programmed for different users. That level of precision control is simply not possible with other types of sauna heater, such as gas or electric.
No fumes for a safer sauna experience
When you choose an electric sauna heater, there is no need to worry about ventilation. Both gas and wood alternatives involve direct combustion, and that inevitably results in the release of potentially lethal toxic gases including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. When using these forms of heating in a home sauna, suitable ventilation must be engineered into the project, meaning extra complication and expense. It also adds a potential safety risk if ventilation becomes blocked or develops leaks over time.
What’s more, US city dwellers need to study state and EPA regulations, as there are a growing number of controls and restrictions relating to wood burning appliances. Choosing an electric sauna heater eliminates all of these concerns at a single stroke.
More cost effective than you think
Finally, the aspect that many people think is a negative of electric sauna heaters is actually a positive. The belief that they cost a fortune to run is simply not true, at least in the case of the electric sauna heaters on the market in 2024.
Harvia is one of the most respected manufacturers of electric sauna heaters in the world, and the team there did some detailed research on running costs last year. They found that the cost of using a sauna with a 4.5 KW electric heater works out at less than one dollar per sauna session on average. This research was borne out by independent researchers in Idaho, who calculated a monthly cost of $15 for an electric sauna used four times per week.
