If your looking to purchase an infrared sauna, the most important thing consider is the type of infrared heating technology that is being utilized.There are many infrared saunas on the market, but if it does not have good heating technology, why own one. The reason for using an infrared sauna is for the health benefits. This is why you want to find a company that offers an infrared sauna that has superior heating technology, and understands the importance of the positioning of the infrared heaters as well.
Below is a quick checklist of questions to ask before considering to purchase an infrared sauna. If they do not fit between these guidelines, then I would think twice about buying one.
What is the surface temperature of the infrared heaters?
Finding out the surface temperature of the infrared heater is one of the most important questions to ask before buying an infrared sauna. This is important because the size of the infrared wavelength is determined by the surface temperature of the infrared heater. It is scientifically proven that the lower the surface temperature of the infrared heater, the longer the infrared wavelength will be, and the higher the surface temperature the shorter the wavelength.
What kind of heating element is used to heat the sauna? Is it carbon or ceramic?
The two main types of heating elements that are used in infrared saunas today are carbon and ceramic. To get the most out of your sauna, it is very important that the infrared heat is directed where it is needed most, the core of the body. Many of the traditional carbon heaters produce high quality infrared heat, however they do not produce a lot of it. It is also not directed on the body, but rather the sauna cabin itself. These heaters do work well in lay down units or where the infrared heat is a few inches from the body, but not in a large sauna cabin. It is very important that the heaters are made and positioned properly to heat the core of the body and not just the air around you as infrared energy heats the body directly…not through the air. On the other hand, ceramic infrared heaters produce quality infrared heat and a lot of it. However, since the surface temperature is higher, the length of the infrared wave is shorter and not as therapeutic. The best thing would be to find a infrared heater that offers both carbon and ceramic heating elements.
Does the infrared sauna offer infrared heaters that are positioned in the front and back of the body?
It is very important to find an infrared sauna that offers both back and front heaters. The main key to effective detoxification is heating your body and most importantly raising your core body temperature. Your bodies core houses your cardiovascular, immune, and lymphatic systems, all playing an important role in infrared therapy. Many of the infrared saunas on the market today only offer only back heaters. While this does heat the bodies core, it is not as beneficial as having heaters positioned properly in the front core and the back of the body. Having infrared sauna heaters in the front and back will help you get the most out of your infrared sauna.
Does the infrared sauna use reflected heat?
There are many sauna heaters on the market that are thin and made with a single rod with a reflector behind it. When compared gas heaters to a large panel far infrared heater, the single rod often produces lower quality far infrared heat for a couple reasons.
1. The single rod must run at a higher surface temperature just to produce sufficient heat to warm the sauna cabin. Now remember, the higher the surface temperature the less effective the infrared heat will be.
2. Since these infrared heaters have a small surface area, they usually have a metal reflector behind them. It is scientifically known that if a wave passes from one medium to another, the wave changes. This means that the infrared heat that is reflected will be diluted.
So when your looking for an infrared sauna, make sure that it does not use a reflector.
Does the manufacturer offer a lifetime warranty?
Make sure that you ask about the warranty and how long the infrared heaters will be covered under warranty. You may come across manufacturers that say their sauna has a lifetime warranty, but later find out that the infrared heaters are not included in the lifetime warranty. There are companies that offer a complete lifetime warranty, meaning that they cover all parts of the sauna: wood, heaters, electrical, controls, etc…this is a good way to determine the quality of the sauna, as the company will only want to warranty a good product.