In buying a sauna to install in your home, you’re going to see models with ceramic heaters and others with a carbon fiber heater. There are some differences between them, as there are for other heaters out there. If the whole ceramic heater v. carbon fiber debate confuses you a little, you’re not alone. A lot of people don’t quite know the difference and while it can be trivial to some, for others it’s crucial choosing the right kind of heater for their home sauna setup.
Infrared rays
A home sauna can benefit most from a carbon fiber heater which emits warm rays akin to far infrared than ceramic heaters will produce. With a carbon fiber heater, its heat is beneficial and healing. Comparatively ceramic heater heat comes at a higher temperature which means you won’t be able to stay in the sauna for as long and you may not be in there long enough for significant tissue penetration. A carbon fiber heater’s going to heat from the inside out, providing relief from stress, sore muscles, and aching joints in a way you won’t get from ceramic.
Heat distribution
On a carbon fiber heater, the heating surface area is easier in providing heat distribution compared to a ceramic model. This is because a carbon fiber heater’s surface area is much larger, is composed of thin carbon plates, and was designed in a way to prevent hot spots and cold spots from developing. With ceramic heaters, you’re going to have a lot of unevenness in heat distribution because they aren’t built the same. If you want your heat to be dispersed fairly, carbon fiber wins out every time.
Energy costs
A big drawback – but one that you’ve got to be ready for – with anyone who installs a sauna in their home is higher energy costs. A carbon fiber heater produces heat a lower temperature, provides more even heat distribution, and takes less energy to produce a result than a ceramic heater. Most carbon fiber heaters are also designed to higher energy efficiency standards, improving upon the limited performance of ceramic. You won’t have to spend as much money enjoying your sauna with a carbon fiber heater over a ceramic heater.
Life span
No one wants to buy a new home sauna and have to replace any of it components within a decade or less. A heater’s the most valuable element of a sauna setup and it can be expensive replacing. The average ceramic heater will come with a lifetime expectancy of 5,000 hours. It might sound like a lot but it really isn’t when you factor in when you may need a replacement. Carbon fiber heaters, comparatively, have a minimum life expectancy of 20,000 hours. A huge difference!
The debate continues…
If you’re settled on buying a sauna for your home, take a few minutes to consider which is preferable for you. On all counts, a carbon fiber heater is preferred over a ceramic heater although you may find yourself selecting ceramic over the carbon fiber. A heater may not remotely seem important but it is. It affects performance, efficiency, cost, and sauna effectiveness.
Unsure of what sauna to buy for your home? No problem. Visit Steam Sauna today, speak with a representative, and get set up with the right sauna and sauna heater for your home.