As an owner of a sauna company in Dubai, I’m often asked which sauna heater brand I recommend for reliability, durability, energy efficiency and a luxurious sauna experience. My top choice is always Harvia – the leading sauna heater manufacturer from Finland.
If you’re exploring adding an authentic home sauna, this guide will cover everything important about Harvia heaters. I’ll explain what makes Harvia heaters the preferred brand of sauna experts, the different types they offer, considerations for choosing the right model, costs, maintenance tips and recommendations for all sorts of sauna spaces.
Let’s start by understanding why Harvia sets the global standard for exceptional sauna heaters.
About Harvia Sauna Heater Company
Based in Muurame, Finland, Harvia has specialized in expertly crafted sauna heating equipment since 1950. They revolutionized the industry by creating the world’s first electric sauna heater in 1959.
Today, Harvia is still family-owned and continues raising the bar on safety, environmental responsibility, heating efficiency and luxury sauna experiences. They manufacture over 150,000 sauna products annually exporting to over 80 countries worldwide.
Beyond heaters, Harvia offers virtually every sauna component imaginable from sauna interiors to controls, aromatherapy, lighting and accessories. But it’s their heaters that first made their reputation for unparalleled heating power, durability decade after decade and sustainability reducing waste, energy and emissions.
Now that you know about the Harvia heritage, let’s explore your heater options.
Types of Harvia Sauna Heaters
Harvia engineers an extensive range of premium electric powered sauna heaters including:
Wood-Burning Sauna Heaters
As classic thermal masters, Harvia wood burning heaters use vented steel combustion chambers that circulate air over hot stones radiating gentle warmth. Energy efficient models have insulated fireboxes and adjustable air intake.
Wood heat variation lends a beautifully traditional experience. Most wood-burning units can also add electric heating elements to simplify heating further.
Electric Sauna Heaters
These convenient heaters have insulated heating elements to warm sauna rocks that then radiate dry infrared warmth. Steel bodies last decades while modular setups make repairs easy. Half to full-day preheating works well.
Electric Harvia heaters have a model to efficiently suit nearly any home sauna size from under 100 to over 550 cubic feet capacity. Most homeowners prefer electric for simplicity.
Combi Sauna Heaters
Harvia combi heaters couple both electric and wood burning stove efficiency letting you choose based on preference each sauna session. Combis mounted on sturdy steel stands tend to heat up the fastest for quickest comfort.
With both traditional and electric integrated, combis provide flexibility. Adding remote controls also makes switching between functions effortless.
Infrared Sauna Heaters
Infrared heaters penetrate the body differently than traditional saunas using targeted wavelengths mimicking natural sunlight. The radiant energy reaches skin surface for gentle, detoxifying sweats without extreme air heat.
Harvia makes infrared heater panels finely tuned for whole-body wellness designed to mount on sauna walls and ceilings. Less suited for social gatherings but excellent for personal health.
Now that you know the main heater types Harvia specializes in, let’s cover key considerations for choosing exactly the right one for your new or existing sauna space…
How to Choose the Best Harvia Sauna Heater
Selecting an appropriately powered and designed Harvia heater ensures your sauna reaches its fullest wellness and relaxation potential for years to come. Match to factors like:
- Cubic footage – Size the heater capacity for largest space heating efficiency. Underpowered units struggle reaching optimum temperature. Too large wastes energy.
- Sauna construction – Well insulated new rooms need less power than retrofitting old rooms with weathering. Freestanding needs exceed enclosed.
- Ventilation plan – Good airflow prevents humidity and requires more heating power to maintain air temperature than enclosed rooms.
- Usage frequency – From commercial facility multi-hour daily operation to home 20 minutes weekly requires scaling output and durability appropriately.
- Phase/voltage – Match technical electric spec’s between your main circuit box, wiring and heaters. Most Harvia are 240V.
- Budget – Spending more buys efficiency, options like controls/combis and longer lifespans. But all Harvia heaters make saunas shine.
Finding your perfect harmony between heating power, energy conservation and budget takes a bit of planning. But the rewards of soaking in your own sustainably heated sauna sanctuary make it all worthwhile!
How Much Do Harvia Sauna Heaters Cost?
With precision engineering and some hand craftsmanship from the birthplace of saunas behind it, Harvia gear sits at the upper end of heating equipment price points on average:
Electric heaters – $1200 to $2500
Wood burning stoves – $1800 to $3800
Combi heater systems – $4000 to $8000
Infrared panels – $500 to $1600 per panel
The significant upfront investment pays off through decades of nearly maintenance free operation on even the most affordable Harvia models. Consider total lifecycle value along with your budget.
Operating and Maintaining Harvia Sauna Heaters
All Harvia heaters are built for longevity and convenient use including:
- Stainless steel exterior housing preventing rust
- Modular internal part layouts simplifying DIY repairs
- Intuitive controls like thermostats and timers
- Compatibility with smart home automation
- Optional upgraded digital remote functionality
Like any heated system, yearly inspection of connections, ventilation and creosote cleaning in wood burning units ensures peak safety. Harvia stands behind products with some of the industry’s best warranties including 10 years on electric and combi heater exteriors.
Recommendations for Harvia Heaters By Sauna Type
Here are my top Harvia picks suited to different sauna settings:
Barrel saunas – Electric Harvia Finn models fit perfectly to heat efficient barrel shapes.
Traditional indoor cedar saunas – Wood burning Harvia stoves aligned to room size offer classic soak experiences.
Custom luxury saunas – Combi Harvia units with sleek hidden controls provide high-end amenities.
Outdoor saunas – Durable, insulated Harvia electric heaters maintain heat well even in wind and cold for backyards.
Apartment/condo indoor saunas – Compact wall-mount Harvia infrared spacesaver panels.
Sauna & steam combo rooms – Separate Harvia electric heater systems with compatible digital controls work beautifully.
Commercial saunas – Extra strength Harvia electrical units have commercial equipment durability.
Health-focused detox saunas – Harvia infrared panels surround bathers directly in healing wavelengths.
Hopefully these recommendations give you ideas that inspire your perfect sauna heating solution from Harvia’s world class product portfolio!
Frequently Asked Questions About Harvia Sauna Heaters
How is a Harvia sauna heater different than other brands?
As the pioneers of electric sauna heating over six decades ago who still focus solely on leading heater development, Harvia sets the standard globally for safety, precision temperature calibration, sustainability, intuitive controls and durable lifespans across every product from basic to luxury level.
How can you determine the right Harvia heater heating power?
Cubic footage of the space, insulation, enclosure, ventilation and ambient humidity all factor in ideal heater sizing. An experienced sauna company like mine can recommend accurately sized Harvia heating for steady, stable temperature capabilities aligned exactly to your setup.
What maintenance do Harvia sauna heaters need?
Simply inspecting heat shields, clearing ash buildup yearly and checking for creosote in any chimneys makes Harvia systems run for decades reliably. Scrape rocks and wipe down exterior rarely. Ensure vents aren’t obstructed.
Can Harvia heaters be integrated with home automation tech?
Many models work seamlessly with leading smart home AI via included ports or optional equipment addons. This allows remote monitoring, voice activated settings adjustments and general connectivity while retaining manual analog options too.
How long is the warranty on Harvia products?
Harvia believes so strongly in quality, their warranties lead the industry. Even affordable models carry 10 years on core exteriors. More advanced models offer 12 years part coverage with 5 years full replacement policies. Plus lifetime support assistance direct from Finland!
Unwind in Harvia Powered Sauna Sanctuaries
I hope this detailed Harvia sauna heater guide helps make your decision process straightforward when it comes to customizing the perfectly heated oasis aligned with your wellness vision.
As a proud Harvia dealer partner here in Dubai, please reach out anytime for additional advice choosing the right heating system specifically for your space requirements and budget. I’m happy to provide complimentary consultations or full quotes on your project from concept through professional installation completion.
My entire team looks forward to working together to build your luxury relaxation escape backed by Harvia’s 60+ years of global sauna heating experience and innovation.