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Traditional Sauna vs.
Infrared Sauna
Traditional Sauna vs. Infrared Sauna
When you compare the health benefits and economics of a
traditional sauna vs. infrared sauna designs there are some major
differences in how the heat source effects the preheat time, the temperature
inside the sauna and the way you perspire. Even the amount of space required
to install the sauna and the cost of operating either one of these dry heat
saunas will affect your decision in whether to choose a traditional Finnish
design or go with infra-red technology.
Traditional saunas use wood-burning stoves or electric heaters require a
rather long preheat time to reach the ideal sauna temperature of 190° F. The
resultant air is hot and dry and can irritate the mucous membranes. To
alleviate these conditions, water must be poured over heated rocks on top of
the stove to increase the humidity. Compare these saunas vs. infrared saunas
which warm up almost instantly and operate at much lower temperatures of
110° to 150° F.
Another difference when comparing traditional vs.
infrared saunas is the way the energy is
transferred from the source to the body. A wood-burning or electric heater
has to warm up the air inside the room first. An infrared emitter that is
built right into the wall of the sauna transfers the dry heat directly to
the human body. The far infrared wavelengths penetrate deep into the skin
and help you perspire 2 – 3 times more than with a conventional heater.
Infrared saunas score well vs. traditional saunas when it comes to energy
usage. A typical session in a far infrared portable sauna costs only a few cents worth of electricity.
Compare this to the energy demands of a 2 – 10 Kilowatt electric sauna room heater
which could be expensive to operate. Also, a conventional dry heat sauna
using a massive stove is most often a permanent installation, whereas a
small infra-red unit can fit into a 4’ x 4’ space and is easy to assemble
and take apart again when you move.
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Infrared Sauna to
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