Far infrared or FIR saunas vary in shape, size, material, and construction. Every element that makes up your sauna will have an effect on the level of health benefits (or risks) it provides. Some saunas contain potentially harmful materials as a cheap alternative to more quality sauna materials. These types of shortcuts aren’t worth investing in for the sauna you choose for your home or business.

Sauna Wood

First, consider the wood used in the sauna. FIR saunas are often made of spruce, redwood, hemlock, poplar, basswood or cedar. Cedar has long been the go-to choice and continues to be the top option of infrared saunas today. The best type of cedar is Western Red Canadian Cedar. Be sure the cedar used in the sauna is sustainable sourced and eco-friendly.

Cedar is resistant to cracking and splitting when heated and cooled since it’s a soft wood. It’s also the longest lasting sauna wood available. It naturally eliminates the presence of molds and bacteria – and important consideration as you decide on sauna materials, since the warm and moist area of a sauna is a prime environment for both.  Finally, Western Red Canadian cedar is non-aromatic cedar and has a very faint cedar smell so even the most sensitive people will love their cedar infrared sauna.

Sauna Heaters

The heater in your sauna is an important sauna material for obvious reasons, since it will be responsible for the type of experience you receive in your sauna. There are two main types of heaters to consider: carbon and ceramic. Carbon panel heaters are larger in size,  distribute infrared heat more evenly, and produce high quality, long wave infrared heat, but typically, at a weaker level.

Ceramic-based heaters emit a greater amount of infrared heat than carbon panels, but create hot spots in the sauna and produce lower quality shorter infrared waves. A combination of the two provides the best of both worlds providing beneficial long wave infrared heat and a lot of it.

Electromagnetic Fields or EMFs

Consider the amount of electromagnetic fields (EMF) when researching the varying factors and sauna materials for your FIR sauna. Continual exposure to high levels of EMFs can be harmful to the health.

In everyday life, we are subject to EMF from the moment we turn on the lights in the morning to our time spent in front of a computer during the day. Fortunately, the level of EMF exposure is relatively low in normal work or home environments, but adding any exposure puts us at risk for reaching a dangerous level. A low EMF infrared sauna ensures exposure rates stay within the threshold of what is considered safe.

Infrared heat has been used as a therapeutic benefit for years with the quality of sauna materials improving over time. As a result, you benefit from a better product and more optimal experience. This makes all the difference when choosing the sauna best suited for you.

Due to its numerous health benefits, far infrared or FIR saunas continue to rise in popularity. They have been known to help people lose weight, reduce stress, ease chronic pain, and help the body detox. However, not all FIR saunas are created equal when comparing the level of exposure to EMF or electromagnetic fields. For this reason, it’s important to have an understanding of EMF and ELF when purchasing a sauna.

Most people who buy saunas use them multiple times a week for up to 30-40 minutes per session. Repeated exposure to a high level of EMF could be harmful to their health. Not all sauna models conduct the same frequency levels, and the good news is there are low EMF saunas available.

The solution is to ensure the far infrared sauna you are buying or using does not expose you to a high-EMF environment. With updated technology and modernized design, FIR saunas with low EMF and ELF are an option. Understanding how a FIR sauna works and the associated safety information is important to know before purchasing a sauna for your home or business.

What Is EMF?

Radiation is the invisible energy produced by electricity. Also referred to as electric and magnetic fields, these areas move a current through a wire and are all around us. The EMF fields are measured in milligauss (mG) and the ELF fields are measured in volts per meter. People who are highly sensitive to EMF can reduce exposure by eliminating or reducing the use of electrical devices in the home. Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are energy waves with frequency levels below 300 hertz or cycles per second.

There are two types of EMFs: higher-frequency and low- to mid-frequency. Someone exposed to a higher-frequency EMF, is subject to possible DNA or cell damage. While the research does not show low-frequency levels to be as harmful as higher frequencies, some people are very sensitive to the low-frequency.

What Is ELF?

Extremely low frequency (ELF) are electric fields with frequencies from 3 to 30 hertz. It is a non-ionizing radiation and sits on the low end of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Although most devices sit on this low frequency field, flat screens that use cathode ray tubes may expose people to a higher level of ELF radiation, but the amount still falls well below the government threshold. People can reduce their exposure to ELFs by turning off electrical devices not in use and immediately repair any faulty wiring which may generate higher ELF levels.

Health Concerns Linked to EMF

Different studies show varying results that increased exposure to high levels of EMF can lead to health problems including cancer, birth defects, and Lou Gehrig’s disease. EMF levels at increased rates have also been linked to symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and skin rashes.

Most of what we are exposed to in our typical environments are at such low EMF levels, we are not at risk. However, with the increase of technology and electrical devices we occupy ourselves with on a daily basis, any chance we have to reduce our exposure is best for our health.

Choose a Low EMF Sauna

To receive maximum benefit from your infrared sauna you will want to use your sauna 3-5 times per week.  The more you use your infrared sauna, the more important it is to choose a low EMF and low ELF infrared sauna.

Far infrared saunas have a number of health benefits to offer every user. With infrared heating, the air temperature stays low. It is less about heating the air in the sauna itself and more about heating the human body and raising your core body temperature.

With the understanding of EMF, the general recommended use for a FIR sauna is 20-40 minutes a day, 3 to 5 times a week. Also, because the heat of the sauna helps a body sweat out toxins, it’s best to rinse off afterwards so the toxins are not reabsorbed into the skin.

In order to take advantage and not negate any of the therapeutic and wellness benefits a FIR sauna provides, it’s best to choose a low EMF infrared sauna option to limit exposure to harmful rays.

Now that you’ve decided to enhance your overall health and wellness with an infrared sauna, how do you decide which one to purchase? Although the sauna selection process may seem overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. Here are 10 helpful tips to ensure you make a sound investment when selecting an infrared sauna.

1: Decide on DIY or Kit

You can choose to build your own custom sauna or you can select from a variety of sauna kits that come with everything you need and install in about an hour.

Ask yourself: ‘How handy am I?’ If your idea of being handy is changing the occasional lightbulb, set your sights on an easy-to-assemble package ready to be put together this weekend. Now, if you’re the jack-of-all-trades, get-it-done-myself type, prove your worth and DIY it from the ground up!

2: Select the Appropriate Sauna Size

Will it just be you or will others be enjoying the sauna as well? Some infrared saunas only accommodate one person at a time. These models may work well if you are looking for a private sanctuary, but can be limiting if used in a family or group setting. A variety of different size FIR saunas are available to ensure you can find a model during your sauna selection to accommodate your individual needs.

3: Choose the Location

Measure the location where the sauna will be placed. What are the dimensions of the allotted space and is there an adequate electrical outlet nearby?

Although infrared saunas have far fewer space and electrical requirements than a steam room, there are a few things to think about before deciding on a location and a model. Factors like ease of access, impact on existing location utility, and the view from inside are important to keep in mind.

4: Find the Right Sauna Wood

Infrared saunas can be composed of various types of wood. Durable wood choices like spruce or cedar are premium sauna selections and should be preferred over materials such as plywood. Cedar, in particular is highly resistant to splitting and shrinking. During the sauna selection process this is something to consider for sweating and detoxifying.

5: Understand the Heating System – Ceramic vs. Carbon vs. Both

Ceramic heaters represent the original infrared sauna heater and have been around for many years. They can get much hotter than a carbon heater and have a longer warm up time to reach their optimal temperature. They are also challenged when providing an even room temperature and often create hot or cold areas.  The surface area of these heaters can get quite hot and produce a relatively short infrared wavelength so will not offer as much benefit as a carbon based heater.

Carbon heaters are thin, light, and provide an even and safe surface temperature and they can last up to 50 years! One of the most distinctive features of a carbon heater is its ability to distribute heat evenly throughout the sauna. It heats up quickly (in about 10 minutes) which results in a less expensive energy bill, yet they are not as hot as a ceramic heater when touched.  Carbon heaters produce a longer infrared wave and will be more in tune with the human body.

Each heater delivers pros and cons, but which one is best? Clearlight Saunas® is in the process of patenting the only Carbon/Ceramic infrared sauna heater to offer the best of both worlds. The Clearlight True Wave II infrared sauna heater provides the long beneficial waves of a carbon heater and the high output of a ceramic heater combined into one heater.

Also, make sure your infrared sauna has heaters all around you.  Many companies do not use front wall heaters in their saunas.  All Clearlight Saunas® have heaters on the back wall, front wall, side walls, under the bench, by your calves and in the floor.  You are surrounded by infrared heat.

6: Think Safety

Most FIR sauna users are looking to improve health, making safety an important consideration when deciding what sauna to buy. When purchasing an infrared sauna, it is crucial to consider the Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) and Electric Fields (ELF). The EPA has put in place a 3mG (milligauss) safety limit for EMF levels for human exposure.  Where you are sitting in the a Clearlight Sauna® , the EMF levels are virtually zero.

7: Ensure Quality

Look for the highest quality and craftsmanship possible during your sauna selection process. This will ensure you are making a solid investment in a sauna that is built to last.

Here are a few important quality factors to consider:
• No VOC glues should be used to ensure there is no unhealthy outgassing.
• A timer to monitor your sessions to ensure you are following recommended duration times.
• Kiln-dried/air dried, fine-grain wood construction to minimize warping and cracking and to offer a beautiful look.• An even heat that radiates from all areas of the sauna to ensure a consistent temperature throughout and infrared heat over your entire body.

8: Get an Optimal Warranty

Gather all information about the warranty and what coverage entails. If you are buying from a third party, it may be difficult to get in touch with the manufacturer and the warranty may be limited. Here are a few things to ensure are covered in your infrared sauna warranty.

• Heating System
• Power Supply
• Control Panel
• Wood
• Glass

9: Demand Stellar Customer Service

Consider your FIR sauna purchase an investment. Like any other major purchase, you will want peace of mind in knowing you will be well taken care of if anything happens to go wrong.

Much like the warranty considerations, buying from a third party vendor can leave you without adequate customer service. Be sure that you know where to call with any questions or concerns before you decide to buy.

10: Make it Fun with Customization!

Are you interested in light therapy? How about an audio system? There are a variety of entertainment options that can be added to your infrared sauna to make your experience more exciting and customized to your tastes.

The considerations may seem endless when shopping for the right infrared sauna. Using these sauna selection tips as you start your search can help you make an informed decision in no time! Taking the time to research the specific models, materials, and companies ahead of time will ensure you find a reputable infrared sauna company and the right sauna for you.