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When planning a sauna, choosing the heater is a key decision. The most important part of the decision is whether you want a so-called “wood-fired sauna” or an “electric sauna”.
Finns believe the key to the best löyly is an atmospheric wood-fired sauna. However, an electric sauna might be more suitable for some – the most important thing is that you understand the specific characteristics of both saunas and then choose the heater that is right for your own situation.
In this article we will look at The special features of a traditional wood-fired sauna and an electric sauna and we compare the advantages and challenges of both options. You will also receive important information building regulations, whose details are important, especially when building a wood-fired sauna.
Article content:
A wood-burning sauna stove creates atmosphere and provides an excellent steam.
Made by Ethan sauna research The atmospheric log cabin sauna with a wood-burning stove offers the most superior sauna experience and steam.
Warming a wood-fired sauna is its own strong tradition. The sauna experience begins with the grounding scent of wood and lighting the fire in the stove. This ritual creates a unique atmosphere for sauna-going.
It takes 20–60 minutes to heat a wood-fired sauna stove, depending on the size of the sauna, the type of stove, and the wood being burned. The sauna temperature is controlled by the amount of wood burned and the burning rate (by adjusting the air vent).
While heating, you can, for example, go outdoors, spend time with loved ones or prepare a traditional sauna whisk.
Nowadays, getting your own garden sauna or cabin sauna is easier than ever, as you can buy a sauna ready for delivery delivered whole to the plot. Building permits are also no longer required for garden buildings under 30 square metres.
👉 Read everything you need to know about the planning permission for a garden sauna >>
Advantages of a wood-fired sauna stove
- The scent of wood and the atmosphere created by fire and its sound.
- Good ventilation via the chimney.
- A sauna stove can easily provide a lot of power:
A significant amount of stone warms up in a reasonable time. - Heat output can also be used to heat washing water.
- You can throw plenty of water on the stove without it cooling down.
- There is no need to do any electrical work because of the sauna heater.
- Lighting can also be handled with rechargeable LED lamps if desired.
- The heating of a sauna is not dependent on electricity or its price.
Disadvantages of electric saunas
- Safety distances and security must be taken into account in the planning. (Safety distances can be minimised with various types of shielding, but a wood-burning sauna stove always requires more space around it than an electric sauna stove. Read more below!)
- Heating requires effort.
- Debris easily accumulates on the floor, increasing the need for cleaning.
- Burning wood produces particulate matter emissions.
- Chimney sweeping must be remembered to be done once a year for fireplaces in buildings used year-round, and every three years for those used only part of the year.
A wood-burning sauna stove for a small sauna is possible, but requires careful planning
The more air there is in a sauna, the more comfortable it is to have a sauna. However, nowadays the size of saunas has been optimised to be ever smaller. Ehta’s smallest garden sauna has a löyly room area of 4.8 m².
The height of the sauna affects the sauna experience.
The height of the sauna also affects the sauna experience. For the steam to spread properly and for the air in the sauna to be pleasant to breathe, the height should be at least 220–240 cm.
A wood-burning sauna stove requires ventilation space also because the combustion process consumes oxygen and produces flue gases.
Height also affects the placement of the benches. The lower the sauna, the lower the benches will be. In this case, the bather's feet may not get enough heat.
Finnish folklore speaks of the “law of löyly”, according to which the toes should remain 5cm above the sauna stove. It’s worth being aware of the law of löyly, although with the right kind of sauna design, the placement of the benches doesn't need to be quite so precise.
For example, Ehta uses a protective wall in its models that is installed down to the floor with the sauna heater. This wall heats up as the sauna heater warms up and heats the air rising from the floor. This way, your toes on the benches will certainly not get cold, even if they don't quite reach the level of the sauna heater in a small sauna.
Fire safety must also be considered when designing a small sauna.
A small wood-fired garden sauna requires precise planning regarding fire safety. Safety distances strongly dictate the design, as walls and benches must not be too close to the heater. Typically, there needs to be (depending slightly on the heater) 300 mm and to the sides of the sauna stove 1300mm Check the exact safety distances in the sauna heater's specifications or from the seller.
A protective wall to be installed around the sauna heater This can even halve the required fire clearances. A fire protection board can also be installed directly on the wall, but it is not a very popular solution aesthetically.
Consider fire safety when building a wood-fired sauna.
When designing a garden sauna with a wood-burning stove, remember to consider the regulations regarding firebox safety and clearance distances. The key regulations concern the smoke chimney and clearance distances:
- Distance of sauna from other buildings:
The distance from other buildings must be at least 8 metres and at least from the property boundaries 4 metres. The required distance can be reduced by building a dividing wall. - Chimney and flue installation:
The use of a wood-fired sauna stove requires a properly installed flue and chimney that comply with fire safety regulations. - Fire safety and clearance distances
- Ensure that the sauna's structures and the distance of the sauna heater from other structures meet fire safety requirements.
- Protective distances can be reduced by using a fireproof board or a protective wall installed around the sauna heater. (Protective distances are specific to each heater, so check them in the heater's information or from the seller.)
- The sauna heater must be installed on a non-combustible base and there must be a spark shield in front of the firebox.
- Remember chimney sweep:
Regular chimney sweeping is compulsory to ensure fire safety. (Once a year, or every three years for holiday homes used only part of the year).
The electric sauna heater is a hassle-free space-saver
An electric sauna heater is an easy-to-use option that does not require a chimney or flue. Heating is achieved by simply turning a dial, and sauna design is not restricted by safety distances for open fires. An electric sauna heater with an insulated casing can even be integrated into the bench structures.
There are several types of electric sauna heaters
- Continuous heating sauna stove
The most common model, where the temperature is controlled by a control unit and a thermostat. The stones are heated by resistors, and the sauna heating time is 20–30 minutes. - Booking stove:
Contains more stones and an insulated structure. The stones are heated by heating elements and the heating time is 1–1.5 hours. - Ready-to-use sauna heater
It is kept in a low-power standby mode, allowing the sauna to be brought into use quickly by increasing power.
Electric sauna heater advantages
- Easy to install and use.
- Enables more versatile sauna floor plans and requires less space.
- Effortless heating method that can also be scheduled.
- No need for a chimney or flue.
The disadvantages of an electric sauna heater
- Requires electrical connection and a sufficiently dimensioned power supply.
- The ventilation may not be as good as in a wood-fired sauna, where the firebox naturally circulates the air.
- An incorrectly sized sauna heater can cause challenges. For example, a heater that is too low in power will challenge the sauna's drying process, which can even cause structural problems.
- The cost of using a sauna can be high, depending on the price of electricity.
- A stove with a large amount of stone gives a softer steam, but as an electric heater it is slow and expensive to heat.
- A faulty or broken electric sauna heater can cause a fire.
Summary
- The choice of a heater significantly impacts the sauna experience and the requirements for sauna construction.
- A wood-fired sauna offers a traditional atmosphere and good steam, but requires more effort and consideration of fire safety regulations.
- An electric sauna heater is an easy-to-use and neat option, but it requires the correct electrical connection. Furthermore, ventilation might be weaker and heating more expensive. The sauna experience will also lack the atmosphere brought by a live fire.
- A successful garden sauna project starts with careful planning and checking local regulations.
A complete ready-made sauna allows for an easy sauna project
Our ready-made saunas enable you to have an easy sauna project, as we take care of the planning and compliance with sauna regulations for you. However, you can be as involved in the planning as you wish, as we listen to our customers' wishes at every stage.
- The manufacturer also provides a chimney diagram, the sauna heater's certificate of conformity, and comprehensive documentation for the sauna.
- In municipal regulations, contact your municipality's building control department. It is the buyer's responsibility, among other things, to ensure that the building does not come too close to other buildings or the shore!
Book a free remote design consultation with Ehtal to get help with sauna design and procurement! You receive professional service, significantly speeding up your design process – with no pressure to buy.
Ready-made sauna heater options
Authentic pre-fabricated saunas and sauna cabins are ready for use, right down to the heater. Once the building is delivered to your plot and installed ready for use on its foundations, you can be in the sauna that very same evening!
You can also purchase the sauna stove yourself if you find one you prefer elsewhere.
Ethan's recommendation is a wood-burning sauna stove, as according to our sauna research, it is by far the most popular option, especially for outdoor saunas.
Harvia 16 with stovepipe water tank
Well-tried Our standard sauna heater Harvia 16 This is a durable, wood-burning powerhouse. The fast and cleanly heating sauna stove will also meet the wishes of the demanding sauna-goer. Cast iron glass door and a stainless steel chimney water tank (22 l).
Harvia 20 Pro stove
We recommend more efficient Harvia 20 Pro heater, when the sauna is being heated in severe frost.
The sauna heater is equipped with a front water tank.
The Pro model has a graphite black outer shell, a stainless steel front, and a sturdy glass door through which you can admire the flames. The large stone mass retains heat more effectively and provides especially soft and moist steam.
Harvia Legend 240 GreenFlame heater
The Harvia Legend wood-burning stove's magnificent stone capacity provides smoky, soft heat. The stones, encased within a black wrought-iron cylinder, will also please the aesthete. The fire blazing behind the large glass door burns cleanly, as the heater's core has been completely renovated. GreenFlame 20 - fireplace – developed under clean combustion conditions.
