Infrared emitters for saunas: how to choose equipment?

Since ancient times, solid wood was used to build a bathhouse, which, when heated, released phytoncides, thereby suppressing the development of various pathogens. The Russian stove was considered one of the main elements of such a bathhouse. But with the development of modern technologies, it is often replaced by IR emitters for saunas. In just a few years, infrared sauna heaters have become one of the most popular and sought-after types of heating. But nevertheless, when choosing this equipment, many questions arise, so before purchasing it is worth considering in more detail not only the types of device, but also its pros and cons.

Advantages and disadvantages

IR equipment is compact in size and attractive in design. It is easy to install and does not require constant monitoring of maintaining the required temperature. The purchase and installation of devices is much cheaper than installing a traditional stone or brick oven. In addition, the energy costs of infrared emitters for saunas are 80% less.

A standard steam room takes at least two hours to warm up to the optimal temperature; an infrared device will take twenty minutes for this. The heater does not emit unpleasant odors and does not burn oxygen. The unit in question can be used in home mini-saunas. The housing practically does not heat up during operation, which makes it possible to mount the device on a surface made of any material.

Minuses:

• For a large room you will need several devices, which is not so cheap.
• If the interior of the bathhouse is made in a traditional Russian style, the unit will not fit into it.
• Cheap, low-quality analogues quickly fail. Therefore, it is better to purchase equipment from official dealers who provide a warranty.

On what principle do infrared emitters work?

So how do infrared heaters work? Let’s not go too deep into the topic or use complex physical terms. Let’s just imagine a room into which the sun shines through the window. Even in winter, through glass, objects in the room in the sun's rays become warm. The floor, furniture, walls warm up. People and animals also feel warmer.

How do infrared rays work?

This thermal phenomenon is called infrared radiation. Of course, there is also ultraviolet radiation, which creates a tan on the human body, but that’s not what we’re talking about. The main thing to understand is that infrared rays are heat itself, which can be transmitted even in a vacuum.

Infrared heaters are based on this principle. The main feature of these devices is the transfer of heat to objects without heating the air. At the same time, energy costs are significantly reduced and heat distribution is more rational. For this reason, infrared radiators are considered one of the most economical options for heating a sauna.

If a person is in an ordinary Russian bath or Finnish sauna, then the body is warmed up due to heated air. This hot air warms the human body only on the surface. And infrared rays are able to “penetrate inside” by 4-5 cm. Thus, a person warms up not only from above, but also “a little inside.”

Kinds

Infrared emitters for saunas are divided into three main types:

1. Short-wave modifications are determined visually. When activated, they glow red with a yellowish tint. The wavelength is 0.74-2.5 microns. The maximum heating of the working element is 1000 degrees. Such devices are usually installed in rooms with a ceiling height of at least eight meters. It is not recommended to stay in the halls where such equipment is located for a long period of time (with heaters running).
2. Models with medium waves have a working emitted length of 2.5-5.6 microns. They are designed for local heating, creating a heat flow more active and denser than their long-wave counterparts. The plate heating limit is 600 degrees. The optimal mode is achieved in literally one minute. The devices are installed in rooms with a ceiling height of three to six meters. You can stay in rooms equipped with such a heater for up to 8 hours.
3. Long-wave infrared emitters for saunas. Waves in the range of 50-2000 microns penetrate deeply into heated objects and people, having a beneficial effect on the body and well-being. The plate heats up to 300 degrees. The optimal operating mode for people is 5.6-1400 microns.

Criterias of choice

When choosing, you should take into account the area of ​​the room, the purpose of the emitter and its parameters:

• The floor-standing equipment is equipped with an adjustable leg and serves as an additional heater.
• The option with an open heating element is designed for complete or local heating of a room; the structure is usually installed on the ceiling.
• Modifications with a closed heating element are suitable for any sauna interior. Models are installed in halls where the ceiling height is from two to ten meters.
• Sometimes it is appropriate to install moldings over windows or doors, which will provide a barrier against drafts.
• In rooms with a ceiling height of less than 3 meters, cassette-type devices are used, which are attached to a suspended structure.
• Some systems operate on hot water and are designed for hidden installation.
• To make it easier to regulate the temperature, you can connect a thermostat to the equipment in question.

IR oven control

There are 2 control options:

• Provides adjustment of temperature values. The heaters are turned on and off automatically according to commands generated by the DCT (temperature control) sensor. This option does not allow you to completely warm up the body of the person in the steam room;
• Designed to regulate power consumption. These models are designed to change the intensity of IR radiation, which allows you to select the optimal indicator for a particular person. In such a case, the entire human body warms up evenly, gradually and smoothly. This ensures maximum therapeutic effect.

To control IR furnaces the following can be used:

• External control panel located outside the sauna cabin. Allows you to set the radiation power and duration of the procedure. After the set time has expired, the system disconnects from the network automatically;
• Built-in automation unit for regulating the operation of all heating elements. With an average power consumption of 1.1 kW, this product is designed to control 6 IR heaters. Therefore, they are equipped with mini steam rooms for one or two users. For larger saunas, a more powerful (1.5 kW) unit with 8 heaters is recommended;
• Internal remote control for adjusting microclimate parameters to optimal values.

Principle of operation

Infrared emitters for saunas (photo above) resemble a fluorescent lamp in structure and are made in the form of rectangles. The sheet metal body is coated with a special powder coating. Inside there is a heating panel with a carbon, ceramic or tubular working element. A reflector is provided on top of the heat reflector, which serves to release heat. The inside of the case is protected by a heat-insulating gasket that prevents heating of the surface of the device.

Plugging the device into the network activates the heater's action on the aluminum plate, which begins to emit waves. Energy is transferred with heat evenly, accumulating the bulk of the mass in the area of ​​the floor, not the ceiling.

Heating elements

If we compare infrared ceramic radiators for saunas with analogues, we can note that these elements are a plate with a nichrome conductor. It can heat up to 1000 degrees. As an alternative, a fechral transmitter with a filament operating temperature of up to 800 °C can be used. The average operational period of the device is four years.

The tubular heating element is insulated using an aluminum profile. The result is a wide, long plate, from the surface of which infrared rays emanate. One heater contains several such modules. The service life of the unit is at least seven years.

An infrared sauna with carbon emitters includes a quartz tube with a spiral carbon filament located inside. The tube is completely sealed thanks to the vacuum. The operating temperature of the device is up to 3 thousand degrees. With proper maintenance, the shelf life of the device is practically unlimited.

What does an IR sauna heater look like and work?

Externally, such a heater looks like a rectangular metal case with an infrared sauna lamp inserted into it, somewhat reminiscent of a fluorescent lamp. Inside the case there is a screen that reflects heat waves, a heat-insulating layer to prevent the case from heating up, a reflector that emits heat, and a panel with a heating element.

As soon as the device is connected to the network, the heating elements begin to heat up, transferring heat to the aluminum reflector, which emits waves. In this case, objects located in the radiation zone are heated, which in turn release heat into the air. This way the room warms up evenly.

Heating components are of the following types:

• Ceramic elements are a ceramic plate with a high-resistance conductor built into it. It is made from nichrome, which can heat up to 1000 °C, or fechral, ​​which, having high electrical resistance, heats up to 800 °C. Typically, the service life of such a heater is 4 years.
• Tubular heaters with aluminum profile insulation. This design allows heat to be radiated along the entire length of the plate. Often, several such heating elements are installed simultaneously in IR heaters. The service life of the equipment is about 7 years.
• The carbon heating element is a quartz tube with a built-in carbon spiral filament. The flask is completely sealed and devoid of air. Carbon fiber can heat up to 3000 °C without losing strength. Therefore, such equipment can be used for a very long time if it is well made.

The reflector plate, depending on the type of element, can heat up to 250-600 °C, but the body itself does not become hotter than 60 °C.

The overall dimensions of such a device are 16 cm wide, 4 cm thick, 1-1.5 m long and 3.5-5 kg ​​weight.

Typically, the kit for an infrared sauna includes the heater itself, as well as fastening elements - hardware, brackets, dowels and screws. But the thermostat, cable with plug, cross-section designed for the expected load, automatic power switches and other components must be purchased additionally.

If everything is connected correctly, the equipment can last about 25 years.

Equipment

Depending on the wavelength, the plates of infrared emitters for saunas can heat up from 260 to 600 °C. At the same time, the body does not exceed 60 degrees in this indicator. The weight of the devices varies from 3.5 to 5 kilograms, the length of the panel is 1000-1500 mm, the width and thickness is 160/40 mm.

The standard package includes the heater itself, mounting brackets and hardware, and instructions. Additionally, you will need to buy a wire with a plug (the cross-section is selected for the workload), a thermostat, automatic fuses, and magnetic starters.

Content:

1. Infrared emitter Harvia Comfort
2. Infrared emitter IRS 3 IR
3. Infrared emitter Harvia Basic
4. Infrared emitter IR-MAT IRF
5. Infrared emitter VITAE
6. Infrared emitter EOS IRS 3 IR
7. Ceramic infrared emitter flat ECP-3 (60×60 mm)
8. Set of IR emitters SteamTec TOLO B1
9. Infrared emitter Vitae Protect
10. Ceramic infrared hollow emitter ECH-2 (122×60 mm)

type of instalation

The best infrared emitters for saunas have different installation methods:

1. The floor-mounted option is easy to install, but requires dedicated space. If handled carelessly, it may topple over. To do this, the model must be equipped with a special option that turns off the device in case of a fall. Pay especially attention to this if there are small children in the family.
2. The installation of wall-mounted versions is more complex, but they do not take up useful space and decorate the overall interior, fitting into it as harmoniously as possible.
3. Ceiling units are distinguished by the uniform direction of rays and heat, and have a labor-intensive and complex installation method.

The installation of infrared emitters for saunas is often done by inserting them into the corners of the room. The opening range in this case is 90-120 degrees. Using a thermostat will allow you to maintain a certain temperature regime for a long period of time. The best option would be a model with a rotating mechanism.

Methods for installing IR heaters

Floor-mounted IR heaters have the simplest and most convenient installation. However, they take up a lot of space and can be accidentally knocked over by children, for example. Therefore, units of this type must have an automatic shutdown function if they fall.

Wall-mounted infrared heaters are somewhat more difficult to attach, however, this disadvantage is compensated by their compactness, safety and organic appearance.

The most difficult thing is to install ceiling structures that can evenly distribute heat waves throughout the room.

Very often they buy an infrared stove for a sauna, which can be built into the corner of the steam room. As a rule, such devices can open 90° or 120°.

The temperature in the steam room can be maintained at a certain level for a long time by installing a thermostat with a rotary mechanism, preferable for use in saunas.

What should you pay attention to?

When purchasing an infrared emitter for saunas type RS350K, pay attention to a number of nuances so as not to be disappointed with the purchase:

• The packaging must be free of deformation and damage; it is better if there are foam inserts.
• Before purchasing, be sure to check the device for serviceability.
• The unit must operate absolutely silently; any extraneous sound indicates poor build quality or a malfunction.
• The seller is obliged to issue a receipt and a warranty card.
• Check the data in the heater passport with the certificate.

Ceramic infrared emitter flat ECP-3 (60×60 mm)

Photo: pokupki.market.yandex.ru

ECP series ceramic electric infrared emitters are manufactured with a flat emitting surface that directs the rays perpendicular to the heater surface, allowing uniform heating to be achieved over a limited surface area. Still don't know what is the best infrared heater for a sauna and how to choose it? Then you should take a closer look at this design.

Ceramic infrared emitter flat ECP-3 (60×60 mm)

Advantages:

• Flat radiating surface
• Uniform heating
• Local action
• Quality guarantees
• Reliability
• Safety

Recommendations

Regardless of the type, infrared radiators for saunas must be placed in such a way as to provide a single thermal field that guarantees uniform heating of people. The standard installation scheme consists of 6 units: two heaters are installed on the rear wall, one on the side walls or in the corners, plus a radiator for heating the feet.

The power of the device is selected depending on the area of ​​the room. This is due to the fact that this type of heater is not designed to heat the air, but the objects and people in the room. The higher the emissivity, the more efficient the device. One of the main criteria when choosing is the ceiling height. It is not advisable to install devices with low power in rooms with a ceiling height of more than four meters, since the rays will be scattered before reaching the floor. Also, a powerful analogue is not recommended for use in rooms with low ceilings (less than three meters). This may result in excessive heat exposure.

The best infrared heaters

In order not to make a mistake when choosing an infrared heating device for your dacha, it is worth considering the most popular models, which are rated by customers as the best. These include the following infrared devices:

1. "Polaris PKSH 0408RC". This heater can be controlled remotely using a remote control, which makes it more convenient. The power of the device is 800 W, which is enough to heat a room of 42 square meters. There is an LCD display on the front panel of the product that displays all parameters.

2. "UFO Star 3000". This device is designed to heat a room of 30 square meters. It is worth noting that this device has several power levels. When the maximum mode is turned on, the room (30 sq.m.) heats up in just an hour and a half.

3. Timberg TCH 1100. Many buyers note that this model is one of the best for mounting on the ceiling. The heating area is 12 square meters. The device is controlled using a remote control.
4. "Polaris PHM 1501 HUM". The described compact and powerful heater does not dry out the air and is one of the most popular among buyers. Heating of the room occurs quite quickly. A special feature of this product is the ability to humidify the air. When using this device, a fresh aroma spreads throughout the room, which appears due to the use of an odor improver. The heater is floor-mounted and has small dimensions. It is capable of heating a room up to 15 square meters.

5. "UFO Eco 2300". This device is considered by many consumers to be the best, as it is small in size and has average power. It can be mounted on the wall, ceiling and used outdoors. One of the advantages is the reasonable cost of the heater. The operating principle of this device is based on heating a quartz tube exposed to heat rays.

Film analogues

If we compare infrared ceramic radiators for saunas with film analogues, we can note that the second option is used as additional heating. The film is treated with a special carbon paste and equipped with the finest carbon threads. The surface of the equipment is laminated with special polyester. The heating of such a device is from 30 to 110 degrees with a beam length of 5-20 microns.

The 0.4 mm thick film, according to its characteristics, is suitable for any finishing coating. The material in question is decorated on the front side, which allows it to be mounted on the ceiling and walls. Heaters of this type are equipped with a thermostat and a wire with a plug. Service life is at least twenty years with proper use.

Ceramic infrared hollow emitter ECH-2 (122×60 mm)

Photo: pokupki.market.yandex.ru

Hollow IR emitters ECH with a cavity filled with air have a slightly higher heating temperature. Because of this, to achieve the heating temperature of the material required for the technological process, you will need much less power of the heating element, which will lead to savings in energy consumption. Power characteristics from 75 to 500 W, supply voltage 220 V, overall dimensions width 122 mm, height 60 mm, type of connection to the electrical network “heat-resistant wires with bead insulation.” The manufacturer guarantees the quality of manufactured heaters.

Ceramic infrared hollow emitter ECH-2 (122×60 mm)

Advantages:

• Saving energy consumption
• Heat resistant wires
• Quality assurance
• Low case heating temperature
• Efficiency
• Reliability
• Safety

#Sauna #Choice #Heater #Recommendations #Top 10

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Panels

Flat emitters are used for rear walls. They cut into the sides of the canopy or are mounted into the lower part of the bench. The panels are distinguished by their work intensity at a maximum operating temperature of 70 degrees.

The decorative frame of flat heaters is usually made in “silver” or “gold”, which allows you to choose a model for different interiors. There are examples with a mirror surface. These options combine a mirror and a heater. Additionally, the device can be equipped with LED backlighting.

Reflectors

An infrared emitter made of ceramics for a sauna in St. Petersburg and other regions can replace a reflector. It is a curved metal plate with a reflector. This solution makes it possible to accumulate more than 90% of the emitted energy at the facility. Modifications of reflective elements correspond to the parameters of ceramic analogs of the ECS-2, FCH-2 types.

The wide reflector configuration allows the radiation to be softened and dispersed at an angle of approximately 120 degrees. Similar variations are used in small booths where a person sits in close proximity to the device. Corner analogues concentrate beams in a range of 90 degrees and are mounted in spacious saunas, concentrating heat on the bench.