Finnmark Sauna Services: A Buyer's Guide

With a large  variety of styles and sizes of saunas, there comes an even larger variety of different types of sauna heaters to choose from. When deciding on a sauna heater, you should consider the size, location, usage and of course the design of your sauna. The wide array of heater structures, heating methods, power ratings and brands can be overwhelming, so we have compiled a guide to help you decide on the best sauna heater for your needs.

 

Wood Burning or Electric

There are several different types of wood burning and electric sauna heaters to choose from. In turn, infrared saunas use electromagnetic radiation from infrared lamps. In this article, we’ll be focusing on traditional sauna heaters. If you’re interested in the differences between infrared sauna and traditional sauna, you can read our article on the link below. 

Infrared Sauna Benefits Vs Traditional Sauna Benefits- Which is best?

When it comes to traditional saunas and the heating methods, the choice is between a wood burning sauna stove or an electric sauna heater. Wood burning sauna stoves provide an authentic, relaxing atmosphere accompanied with the crackling of firewood, pleasant aroma and soothing light from the fire heating up the sauna stones. 

On the other hand, electric sauna heaters are generally quicker and easier to get up to temperature with a push of a button or two. 

Both wood burning stoves and electric heaters have their own benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to consider which one is best for your needs.

Narvi Velvet wood burning sauna stove offers a generous steam. Image by Narvi

 

Traditional wood burning saunas are a classic choice offering a rustic, authentic sauna experience whilst saving on electricity. However, they can require slightly more maintenance and planning around the installation. 

A flue kit and heat shielding are important to account for when considering a wood burning sauna stove. You will also need a sufficient supply of firewood, and live in an area that isn’t within a smoke-free zone.  If unsure, it’s always best to get in touch with the local authority to check on this before making a purchase. 

Electric saunas are a convenient and easy-to-use option. Electric heaters get up to temperature quickly and are fairly simple to maintain. They are also typically more affordable at the point of purchase. However, you will need to account for the available power supply and electricity costs. 

You can read our article on estimating the running costs of an electric sauna heater here. You should also check the available options for powering the heater. Most electric heaters up to 9kW can be installed on a single-phase UK supply. However, anything above 9kW requires a 3-phase supply. 

Purpose

Consider where and for what purpose the sauna will be used for. Is it within domestic or commercial settings? How many people will be using it? Will there be children bathing in the sauna? How often will the sauna be heated on a weekly basis and what are the approximate hours it is required to be on at one go? 

The size, stone capacity and materials used in the construction vary significantly between heaters. Heaters designed for commercial use withstand heavy use and can be on for several hours a day and multiple times a week. Commercial saunas are also often larger and used by larger groups of bathers. Majority of domestic sauna heaters aren’t equipped for such heavy use. It’s worth noting that most suppliers’ warranty won’t cover misuse, including that of a domestic heater installed in a commercial environment. 

Some heater suppliers outline the maximum recommended run times for their domestic and electric models. These are specified later on this article for our heater suppliers. 

Size

Make sure to select a heater that is appropriately sized for your sauna. A heater that is too small will not get the sauna up to temperature effectively and wastes energy. A heater that is too large for the space will also waste resources. Reputable heater manufacturers will always specify the recommended room size for each model and power rating. 

It’s good to bear in mind that any uninsulated areas, such as glass, will add to the overall computational volume of the sauna and generally require a more powerful heater. As a rule of thumb, each square meter of an uninsulated surface will add approximately 1.5m3 to the overall volume of the space. 

If you’re unsure which heater will work best for your sauna, you can use our sauna heater calculator. 

 

Guideline for power ratings and recommended sauna sizes: 

Model Power Output	4.5 kW	6/6.8 kW	9 kW	10.5 kW
Capacity of the sauna	4-7m³	5–8/9 m³	8–14 m³	10–18 m³

*These can vary between different brands and heater models, so it is always advisable to check the recommendations under each individual sauna heater

Budget

The price of sauna heaters can largely vary depending on the brand, design and features. We will be introducing our different sauna heater suppliers later on in this article. 

Many heaters come with different controlling options, which reflect on the price. A manually controlled heater is an easy to work, entry-level option and a Wi-Fi controller that allows you to adjust the timing and temperature remotely from your phone is the most premium choice. Many heaters offer a mid-spec external control unit depending on the model and supplier. Additionally, a lot of the controllers are compatible with different brands’ heaters. 

Wood burning sauna heaters require a flue kit and potentially some heat shielding, depending on the layout of the sauna. These are good to account for in the early stages of deciding on a sauna heater that fulfils your needs and fits within the planned budget. 

Narvi's Velvet electric heater can be controlled with either a Wi-Fi controller or an external control unit installed either inside the sauna or just outside on the external wall

Features

The technology of sauna heaters keeps developing with an array of special features. These include built- in water tanks and containers, Wi-Fi controllers, surface claddings and flexibility in the design and installation options. Some like a modern sauna heater with all the bells and whistles, whilst others prefer a standard, easy to work with, manually controlled heater with a simplistic design. There is certainly something for every type of sauna goer. 

Safety Distances

The minimum required safety distances to combustible materials differ between heater models. Consider the layout of the sauna and where you are intending to place the sauna heater. Building safety railings is a good solution, especially if children will be using the sauna. 

Some heater models are encased in high-density, heat-storing materials such as soapstone, which allow for smaller safety distances to wood and other combustible surfaces in the sauna. A soapstone cladded heater won’t burn you if you accidentally brush your skin against it, which makes it a popular choice among families with young children as well as commercial saunas.

 

Design

There’s a rich variety of design options when it comes to both electric and wood burning sauna heaters. 

Electric sauna heaters range from wall-mounted to floor standing, from pillar shapes to rounded structures, and from fully encased surfaces to visible stones covered in a stainless-steel mesh. Some heaters can be easily mounted into the sauna benching, allowing for more space for the bathers. 

When it comes to choosing the design of the sauna heater, it’s worthwhile to have a think about the overall sauna area. Where will the heater be placed, the location of the door and the layout of the benches. Some sauna users prefer the stones to be only visible at the top of the heater and others would rather choose a heater body made of a stainless-steel mesh, so you can throw water to the sides of the heater as well. This is completely up to your personal preference and the type of a sauna aesthetic you’re after. 

 

Our Sauna Heater Suppliers

Helo: For Those Seeking Simplicity with Nordic Design

Founded over a 100 years ago, Helo is one of the first large heater manufacturers in the world. Helo factory is located in the Southern-Finnish port city of Hanko, where they produce a variety of reliable and cost-effective heaters for those who value simplicity in design. With a variety of models that have manual dials for controlling the heaters, Helo offers easy to work with options for all types of saunas. 

Helo Rocher electric sauna heater is stylish floor standing model. Image by Helo

 

Maximum recommended run times for electric Helo heaters:

Domestic electric Helo heaters designed for private use should not be on for more than 6 hours at a time. 

Commercial electric Helo heaters such as those in spas, swimming pools and gyms can be on around the clock as long as they are supervised. There should be at least one 6- hour period within 24 hours where the heater is switched off. This can be 6 hours straight or broken into 2-hour intervals. As an example: 3 x 2 hour off times within 24 hours.

 

Domestic Electric Helo Heaters

Model:	Recommended Sauna Size:	Additional Information:
Hanko (6kW-8kW)	5-12 m3	Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings available
Cup (4.5kW-9kW)	3-14 m3
Vienna (4.5kW-9kW)	3-13 m3
Havanna (6-9kW)	3-13 m3
Roxx (6kW-9kW)	5-13 m3
Ringo (6kW and 8kW)	5-13 m3
Rondo (6.5kW and 9.6kW)	7-18 m3
Saunatonttu (6.4kW and 8kW)	7-17 m3
Rocher (7kW-10.5kW)	5-15 m3
Piccolo (3kW)	2-4 m3
Himalaya (7kW-10.5kW)	5-15 m3

 

Commercial Electric Helo Heaters

Model:	Recommended Sauna Size:	Additional Information:
Laava (9kW-15kW)	8-24 m3
Magma (18kW-26kW)	18-46 m3
SKLE (9kW-15kW)	8-24 m3
SKLA (18kW-26kW)	15-46 m3

 

Wood Burning Helo Stoves

Model:	Recommended Sauna Size:	Additional Information:
Kastor Karhu	12-40 m3	Click on the product name for more information on the model options and recommended flue kit
Kastor Saga	12-30 m3

 

HUUM: Where Style and Technology Meet

HUUM is a young Estonian sauna company, who have invested in a carefully designed selection of stylish and modern sauna heaters. The signature HUUM heaters feature a modern stainless-steel structure encasing a large amount of sauna stones. HUUM heaters have been recognised for their innovative designs and controlling options. Although the company does not have the same long-standing establishment in the sauna heater market as the majority of other heater suppliers, they are the “go-to" choice for the modern-day sauna user. The HUUM heaters will stand as a noticeable design feature in both commercial and home saunas.

HUUM Steel electric sauna heater is the perfect choice for a modern sauna. Image by HUUM

 

Domestic Electric HUUM Heaters

Model:	Recommended Sauna Size:	Additional Information:
Drop (4.5kW-9kW)	3-13 m3	Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings
Hive Mini (6kW-10.5kW)	5-16 m3
Hive (12kW-18kW)	12-28 m3
Core (6kW-10.5kW)	5-16 m3
Cliff (6kW-10.5kW)	5-16 m3
Cliff Mini (3.5kW)	3-5 m3
Steel (6kW-10.5kW)	5-16 m3
Steel Mini (3.5kW)	3-5 m3

 

Wood Burning HUUM Stoves

Model:	Recommended Sauna Size:	Additional Information:
Hive Heat	6-13 m3	Click on the product name for more information on the model and recommended flue kit
Hive Wood	6-16 m3

 

Narvi: An Excellent All-Rounder 

Narvi is a Finnish sauna heater manufacturer, founded in 1937. All Narvi heaters bear the Finnish Key Flag Symbol indicating that they are designed and made in Finland, with 95% or more of the production within the country. Narvi heaters are an authentic, safe and quality product with a wide range of electric and wood burning heater options. 

Narvi has a large variety of heater models to suit all budgets, functionality needs and design tastes. 

Narvi Trio electric sauna heater can be also integrated into the benching. Image by Narvi

 

Domestic Electric Narvi Heaters

Model:	Recommended Sauna Size:	Additional Information:
Minex (3kW and 3.6kW)	2-4 m3	Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings
NM (4.5kW-9kW)	3-15 m3
NS (4.5kW-9kW)	3-14 m3
NC (6kW and 9kW)	6-15 m3
Saana (6.8kW and 9kW)	5-14 m3
Slim (6kW and 9kW)	5-14 m3
Trio (6.8kW and 9kW)	5-14 m3
Style (6.8kW and 9kW)	5-14 m3
Smooth (6.8kW-10.5kW)	5-18 m3
Softy (6.8kW-10.5kW)	5-18 m3
Velvet (6.8kW-10.5kW)	5-18 m3
Steam Ready (6kw and 9kW)	5-14 m3

 

Commercial Electric Narvi Heaters

Model:	Recommended Sauna Size:	Additional Information:
Ultra Small (6kW and 9kW)	5-14 m3	Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings
Ultra (9kW-15kW)	8-24 m3
Ultra Big (19kW-33kW)	18-66 m3
Style Pro (9-15kW)	8-24 m3

Wood Burning Narvi Stoves

Model:	Recommended Sauna Size:	Additional Information:
Narvi NC	8-24 m3	Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size and flue kit for each model
Narvi Black	8-24 m3
Narvi Stony 20	8-20 m3
Narvi Velvet	8-20 m3
Kota Kuru	8-20 m3
Kota Luosto	8-20 m3
Kota Inari/Kota Inari Plus	8-18 m3
Kota Pallas	8-20 m3
Narvi Steam Master	10-25 m3
Narvi 30/Narvi 50	20-70 m3
Aito kiuas AK47-AK57	8-25 m3

 

IKI: Where Durability is Paramount

IKI-Kiuas has been providing Finnish craftsmanship for sauna enthusiasts since the mid-nineties. The signature IKI heaters have a stainless-steel mesh frame alongside a substantial stone capacity, providing a uniquely effective, oxygen rich and soft steam experience. IKI has over 40 years’ experience in welding black iron and stainless- steel, and their heaters are one of the most durable in the market. 

Although there isn’t a large variety of designs to choose from, the high-quality IKI heaters will last for years on years through heavy sauna use. An IKI heater is ideal for the hard-core “löyly” lovers. 

Commercial or Domestic IKI Heater?

Any Heaters starting from 12kW and upwards do not have specific limitations when it comes to maximum run times. As such, even 12kW-15kW electric sauna heaters by IKI can be chosen for a commercial sauna. This is as long as the size of the sauna space falls within the recommended capacities outlined by the supplier. 

The IKI Pro heaters are specifically designed for large, commercial saunas. 

 

Domestic Electric IKI Heaters

Model:	Recommended Sauna Size:	Additional Information:
Pillar IKI (4,5kW-30kW)	3-44 m3	Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings
Corner IKI (6kW-9kW	5-16 m3
Wall IKI (6kW-9kW)	5-16 m3
Monolith (6.9kW-18kW)	7-28 m3
Float (13.8kW)	15-25 m3	---

 

Commercial Electric IKI Heaters

Model:	Recommended Sauna Size:	Additional Information:
IKI Pro 14	15-25 m3	Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings
IKI Pro 21	20-35 m3
IKI Pro 28	26-42 m3
IKI Pro 35	35-50 m3

 

Wood Burning IKI Stoves

Model:	Recommended Sauna Size:	Additional Information:
Mini-IKI	5-12 m3	Click on the product name for more information on each model, sizes available and recommended flue kit
Löyly-IKI jr.	8-14 m3
KIVI-IKI jr.	10-20 m3
Original IKI	10-25 m3
Maxi-IKI	20-30 m3
KIVI-IKI	15-30 m3
Löyly-IKI	20-40 m3
SL-IKI	15-30 m3

Tulikivi: Leader in Quality and Experience

Tulikivi is known for high-quality, soapstone cladded sauna heaters and fireplaces. The exclusive soapstone is over 2 billion years old and carries heat storing capacities, wrapped in a beautiful look and feel. 

Because of the natural qualities of soapstone, each Tulikivi product is unique with no heater looking exactly like the other. The heaters have minimal safety distances due to the soapstone cladding that will get hot but won’t burn you if you accidentally brush your skin on it. Tulikivi is a great heater choice in commercial saunas where safety is a concern, as well as in family saunas used by young children. 

 

Maximum Run Times for Tulikivi Domestic and Commercial Electric Sauna Heaters: 

Domestic electric heaters: Maximum 6 hours on straight in private saunas (2-year warranty).

Commercial Electric Tulikivi heaters: Max 12 hours + a 6-hour break in public saunas (1-year warranty). 

 

Domestic Electric Tulikivi Heaters

Model:	Recommended Sauna Size:	Additional Information:
Routa ST (4.5kw- 9kW)	3-13 m3	Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings
Routa E (4.5kW-9kW)	3-13 m3
Naava (6.8kW-10.5kW)	5-15 m3
Tuisku (6.8kW-10.5kW)	5-15 m3
Rae (6.8kW-10.5kW)	5-15 m3
Kuura 1 (6.8kW-10.5kW)	5-15 m3
Kuura 2 (6.8kW-10.5kW)	5-15 m3
Huurre (6.8kW-10.5kW)	5-15 m3
Riite (6.8kW-10.5kW)	5-15 m3
Halla ST (4.5kW-9kW)	3-13 m3
Halla E (4.5kW-9kW)	3-13 m3
Sumu ST (6.8kW-10.5kW)	5-15 m3
Sumu E (6.8kW-10.5kW)	5-15 m3

 

Commercial Electric Tulikivi Heaters

Model:	Recommended Sauna Size:	Additional Information:
Tuisku XL	12-36 m3	Click on the product name for more information on the recommended sauna size for each model and power ratings

 

Wood Burning Tulikivi Stoves

Model:	Recommended Sauna Size:	Additional Information:
Hile	8-20 m3	Click on the product name for more information on each model, sizes available and recommended flue kit
Kinos	8-20 m3
SK950	14-28 m3