How to Pick the Right Sauna Heater in 3 Steps
Choosing the perfect sauna heater is one of the most important decisions you'll make when creating your home wellness sanctuary. The sauna room's size and the preferred temperature will determine the heater's size needed, but there's much more to consider than just power output.
At Nordvik, we've partnered with Harvia, Finland's premier sauna heater manufacturer, to provide the perfect heating solution for your sauna. Each heater is selected for its exceptional performance, reliability, and design harmony with our aesthetic.
Whether you're a sauna newcomer or an experienced enthusiast, this guide will walk you through the three essential steps to select the ideal heater for your needs.
Step 1: Calculate Your Sauna Size and Power Requirements
The foundation of choosing the right heater starts with understanding your space. The general rule of thumb is to use 1 KW of power for every 50 cubic feet of space, though this can vary based on several factors.
How to Calculate Your Needs:
- Measure your sauna volume: Length × Width × Height = Cubic feet
- Apply the sizing formula: Cubic feet ÷ 50 = Required kW
- Consider additional factors:
- Outdoor saunas need 25% more power due to heat loss
- Glass surfaces require additional heating capacity
- Higher ceiling means more space for hot air to accumulate
Power Options in Our Lineup:
- 6kW: Perfect for smaller 2-person saunas (up to 300 cubic feet)
- 8kW: Ideal for family saunas accommodating 2-8 people (300-400 cubic feet)
- 9kW is the max for residential purposes due to electrical limitations in most homes, making our 8kW options optimal for most installations.
Step 2: Choose Your Control and Convenience Features
Modern sauna heaters offer varying levels of control sophistication, from basic manual operation to full smartphone integration. Your choice depends on how you plan to use your sauna and your preference for convenience.
Manual vs. Smart Control:
Manual Control (Essential Model)
- Traditional dial controls on the heater unit
- Perfect for those who prefer simplicity
- Most budget-friendly option
- Requires physical presence to adjust temperature
Smartphone Control (Wi-Fi Models)
- Complete remote control via smartphone app
- Pre-heat your sauna before arriving home
- Monitor temperature and adjust settings from anywhere
- Enhanced safety features and usage tracking
Infrared saunas are faster to heat up compared to traditional, but our electric heaters offer varying heat-up times based on their design:
- Essential: 20-minute heat-up time
- Essential Wi-Fi & Elegant Wi-Fi: 15-minute heat-up time
- Luxury Wi-Fi: 10-minute heat-up time for ultimate convenience
Step 3: Select Your Style and Maintenance Preference
The final step involves choosing the heater style that matches your aesthetic preferences and maintenance expectations.
Style Options:
Basic Style (Essential Models)
- Clean, functional design focused on performance
- Blends seamlessly with traditional sauna interiors
- Reliable heating with proven technology
Elegant Style (Elegant Wi-Fi)
- Enhanced visual appeal with refined design elements
- Slightly higher maximum temperature capability (194°F vs 190°F)
- Premium materials and finishes
Luxury Style (Luxury Wi-Fi)
- Top-tier aesthetics with sophisticated design
- Nearly maintenance-free operation
- Premium build quality for long-term reliability
- Fastest heat-up time in our lineup
Maintenance Considerations:
Traditional saunas require a bit more work. The wood must be regularly treated and maintained to prevent it from rotting or warping. The rocks in the sauna will also need to be replaced periodically. However, our heater models vary in their maintenance requirements:
- Essential & Essential Wi-Fi: Regular rock check maintenance
- Elegant Wi-Fi: Minimal upkeep required
- Luxury Wi-Fi: Nearly maintenance-free design
Complete specifications for all four Harvia heater models available
Essential - The Reliable Choice
- Power: 6kW | Capacity: 2 Person
- Control: Manual | Heat-up: 20 minutes
- Max Temp: 190°F (88°C)
- Best For: Budget-conscious buyers who want proven performance
Essential Wi-Fi - Smart Control Entry
- Power: 8kW | Capacity: 2-8 Person
- Control: Full Smartphone | Heat-up: 15 minutes
- Max Temp: 190°F (88°C)
- Best For: Families wanting smart convenience at accessible pricing
Elegant Wi-Fi - Premium Performance
- Power: 8kW | Capacity: 2-8 Person
- Control: Full Smartphone | Heat-up: 15 minutes
- Max Temp: 194°F (90°C)
- Best For: Design-conscious users seeking enhanced aesthetics and performance
Luxury Wi-Fi - Ultimate Experience
- Power: 8kW | Capacity: 3-8 Person
- Control: Full Smartphone | Heat-up: 10 minutes
- Max Temp: 194°F (90°C) | Maintenance: Nearly-free
- Best For: Those who want the finest sauna experience with minimal upkeep
Making Your Final Decision
When choosing your sauna heater, consider these final factors:
Choose 6kW if:
- You have a smaller sauna space (under 300 cubic feet)
- You primarily use the sauna alone or with one other person
- You prefer manual control and don't mind longer heat-up times
Choose 8kW if:
- You have a family-sized sauna (300-400 cubic feet)
- You want flexibility for multiple users
- You desire faster heat-up times and higher temperature capabilities
Consider Wi-Fi Control if:
- You want to pre-heat your sauna remotely
- You value convenience and modern features
- You want enhanced safety monitoring and usage tracking
Why Harvia Heaters Excel
Electric sauna heaters are popular in urban areas for convenience. They're easy to install, control, and maintain. Harvia heaters go beyond basic functionality by offering:
- Proven Finnish heritage with decades of sauna expertise
- Superior build quality ensuring long-term reliability
- Energy efficiency that keeps operating costs reasonable
- Safety certifications meeting all North American standards
- Seamless integration with Nordvik sauna's premium design
Conclusion
Selecting the right sauna heater doesn't have to be complicated. By following our three-step process—calculating your space requirements, choosing your preferred control features, and selecting your style preferences—you'll find the perfect heating solution for your wellness sanctuary.
Every Nordvik sauna comes with expert guidance to ensure you select the ideal Harvia heater for your specific needs. Our partnership with Finland's premier manufacturer means you get both authentic sauna heritage and modern convenience in one perfect package.
Need help making your choice? Our product specialists are available to help you select the perfect heater configuration for your sauna. Simply reach out to discuss your specific requirements, and we'll ensure your home sauna delivers the transformational wellness experience you deserve.
Ready to transform your wellness routine? Contact our sauna experts today to learn more about our complete Nordvik sauna wellness sanctuary solutions.
