| Deciding to build your own infrared sauna is a | | | | installed by an electrician. So if you are looking to |
| great step toward proactively managing and | | | | buy heaters for your infrared sauna, make sure |
| promoting your own good health. However, | | | | of the hardware you will need to operate it |
| careful research is still necessary. There are lots | | | | before making a decision. |
| of options when it comes to buying a far infrared | | | | Infrared heaters look quite different from the |
| heater for your sauna, and not all types are | | | | traditional heating elements we've come to |
| created equal. | | | | expect to see in saunas. They look more like |
| To choose the best far infrared heating element, | | | | sheets or plates than anything else. They are |
| you need to first take a look at the | | | | very thin and flat. Infrared radiation requires a |
| electromagnetic spectrum. All types of light (both | | | | large surface area in order to work effectively, |
| visible and invisible) are organized by wavelength | | | | so the bigger the better with infrared sauna |
| on what is known as the electromagnetic | | | | heaters. Some heaters comes in the form of |
| spectrum. As we move from visible light to longer | | | | incoloy rods instead of plates, but they are not a |
| wavelengths of light, we see infrared radiation. | | | | good choice as their small surface area will |
| Not many people know that infrared is actually | | | | compromise their ability to radiate infrared |
| divided into three different types: near infrared, | | | | properly. |
| mid infrared, and far infrared. The boundaries | | | | Most infrared heating elements are constructed |
| between each are a little fuzzy and really depend | | | | with carbon fibers or ceramic materials. Finding |
| on the method used to measure wavelength. | | | | tables of emissivity (an object's ability to produce |
| However, the divisions are there. In regard to | | | | infrared radiation) is helpful in evaluating the |
| saunas, far infrared radiation produces the | | | | different materials available. Ceramic heaters have |
| strongest infrared benefits because its | | | | the highest emissivity value. Not incidentally, they |
| wavelength is the shortest of the three. | | | | are the only heaters that are able to emit a truly |
| Traditional saunas rely on processes of convection | | | | far infrared radiation, instead of just near or mid |
| and conduction to work. That means that they | | | | infrared radiation. For users who want the best |
| heat up the air (convection) which in turn heats | | | | infrared sauna experience, ceramic would be the |
| our skin (conduction) as we sit inside the sauna. | | | | wisest choice. |
| But infrared doesn't rely on hot air at all. Its direct | | | | Doing your homework is absolutely necessary |
| warming action allows infrared rays to directly | | | | when choosing a far infrared heater for your |
| work on our bodies without going through the | | | | sauna. In general, ceramic heaters will be the best, |
| medium of hot air. Infrared rays are similar to | | | | but you always want to inquire about the |
| sunlight (but without the harmful action of UV | | | | emissivity of the specific model you are |
| rays). | | | | considering buying. Also remember that you want |
| This means that infrared sauna heaters can work | | | | to cover a large surface area with your heaters |
| at a lower surface temperature than traditional | | | | and know what type of electrical outlet you'll need |
| sauna heaters. In addition, they are more energy | | | | for successful operation. Don't be afraid to ask |
| efficient and cheaper to operate. Most far infrared | | | | questions. After all, the quality of the heater you |
| heaters are able to plug into a standard outlet. | | | | purchase will determine the quality of infrared |
| However, some larger models will require a special | | | | sauna experience you'll have in the future. So you |
| dedicated 15 to 20 amp plug, which must be | | | | have the right to make an informed choice! |