Installation of an electric stove for a sauna and bathhouse, placement and installation options (100 photos)

What is important in choosing a sauna stove

Installing an electric heater in a sauna or bathhouse is the dream of every country house owner. This move brings the home sauna to a higher level of comfort and makes it possible to enjoy the steam at a convenient time. Proper operation of the stove requires proper planning of the entire sauna arrangement, installation according to the rules of the ventilation system. Sauna models of electric stoves differ in the type of installation; this should be taken into account when choosing a model and in arranging all sauna equipment.

According to the type of installation, the user prefers wall-mounted or floor-mounted units with a cylinder shape - tall and narrow. It will fit well in any sauna room and will not take up much space. When the steam room area allows, buyers choose from any variety of models.

Structure of the outer furnace body:

open;
closed.

An open-type electric sauna stove retains heat for a long time and releases steam effectively. A closed-type oven is used when the owner prefers a well-heated room with as dry air as possible. An important parameter when choosing a furnace is its power. In the store, the buyer must be ready to answer the seller’s competent questions about the area of the steam room, the available electrical connections, their cross-section, the desired shape of the unit, and the type of its intended device. A store consultant will help you calculate the power based on the area of the steam room. According to physiological and technical parameters, a sauna stove can optimally warm up a steam room, calculating the consumption of 1-1.5 kW of energy per 1 cubic meter of area.

Consultants recommend purchasing units “in reserve”, with a temperature control function. Then the unit will confidently withstand the specified operating loads and will fulfill the warranty period given by the manufacturer without any problems. A powerful stove for a home sauna or bathhouse will require a new electrical wire, with a separate line, with a cross-section required according to the power of the selected unit indicated by the manufacturers.

The choice requires taking into account the volume of the internal chamber where the stones are placed for heating. An electric stove for a small sauna will effectively warm the room if its volume is 20-26 kg. For large steam rooms, you need to purchase models with a volume of more than 50 kg in order to get enough warmth and comfort.

It is important to arrange high-quality thermal insulation in the sauna, initially to build it with thick load-bearing walls. This eliminates heat loss and allows the furnace to operate at normal temperature conditions. When a steam room is installed in an old bathhouse, it is recommended to purchase a stove with a large reserve of power, which can cover heat loss and provide comfort to those who like to steam.

Buyers choose the stove manufacturer and brand in advance. European-made units are of the highest quality, but are in the highest price category. Models from domestic brands are much cheaper; our manufacturers offer technologically simple, high-quality electric ovens. Chinese manufacturers offer cheap models, and among them you can also find reliable options for budget stoves.

Design features of electric heaters

An electric stove for baths and saunas is intended for heating rooms and organizing hot water supply. Structurally, the device consists of the following elements:

double body;
electric heaters;
thermal insulation.

Heating elements are installed inside the body, and a cage for heating bath stones is mounted on top. The rate of heating of the room and the quality of the steam produced depend on the correct selection and placement of stones.

Large and heavy stones are able to maintain the optimal air heating temperature for a long time.

The outside of the case is equipped with metal plates (3.5 mm thick) to organize technological ventilation gaps, which contribute to the safe cooling of the device.

Metal screens are used as the main elements of heater insulation. They reliably protect wooden surfaces from fire and overheating.

An electric stove with a closed and open design can be installed in a private bathhouse. Still, open electric heaters are more in demand, which provide quick heating of the room and the production of clean steam.

Such devices are equipped with a nichrome wire thread, which is mounted in a stand and turns into a heating base.

Closed electric heaters are available in horizontal and vertical versions and are structurally composed of a heater, a heat shield and a current-conducting busbar.

How to choose an electric heater for a mini sauna

“Mini” is considered a sauna with a small room of no more than 1.5 cubic meters. It is designed for the simultaneous presence of 1-2 people in the steam room. The recent trend is to install small bathhouses directly in the apartment of an urban building. They consume little electricity, the main thing is to ensure reliable thermal insulation. The heaters in the mini-sauna are small in size. Manufacturers put the words “Mini” and “Compact” on these devices.

The market presents mini-heaters with the following trademarks:

Sawo; Mini and Mini-X series;
Harvia; Vega Compact, Delta series.

These are the most common brands of mini ovens. Other manufacturers have them too. The positive and negative aspects of using mini-ovens are common to all electrical units installed in a home bathhouse.

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pros

making electric heaters from different metals;
electricity is converted directly into thermal energy;
mobility of devices, possibility of installation anywhere in the steam room;
the power of small heaters installed in apartments is compared to an electric kettle, the device consumes less energy than home steam irons;
Proper grounding ensures fire safety.

Minuses

using electricity is quite expensive;
the mini-sauna is designed for no more than two people present;
difficulties with wires; you need to invite an electrician to install a three-phase wire when the heater consumes 380 volts; for proper grounding.

There are mini-heaters that are designed to operate from networks with standard 220 volts; if the owner knows how to do grounding, he can connect such a stove himself. It is important to be sure that the wiring is secure.

Advantages and disadvantages of electric furnaces

An electric stove for baths and saunas is a popular type of heating device that has a number of significant advantages:

the ability to quickly warm up rooms and maintain optimal temperature conditions for a long time;
ergonomic body and light weight for ease of use in a small steam room;
accessibility of installation without the need to obtain permits;
saving useful space when operating the device, since there is no need to store firewood or other fuel materials;
simple and safe design without a chimney, which is suitable for installation in city apartments;
simplicity and accessibility of maintenance;
convenient temperature control system thanks to the built-in regulator;
the presence of a safety element that provides additional protection against overheating of the case;
absence of harmful gases during operation of the device;
reliable thermal protection against possible fire of flammable objects near which the stove is located.

Electric ovens also have some disadvantages that should be taken into account when choosing such equipment:

high energy consumption, which imposes restrictions on the frequency and duration of procedures;
Low thermal power of devices compared to gas and wood-burning analogues.

Safety rules for using electric stoves in a sauna

When installing an electric heating unit in a home sauna, you must comply with the requirements of the Operating Instructions, fire and electrical safety rules. Then the furnace will operate with a high level of efficiency, which is what a prudent owner requires. The stones are laid out so that they completely cover the heating elements, this prevents splashes of water from getting on them. This is especially important for tubular type heaters, it extends their service life.

Installation of devices requires reliable fixation of the output terminals. If the owner follows the established rules and is confident in his abilities, he does not need to involve specialists and does everything with his own hands.

Electricity costs when using a heater

The main disadvantage of an electric furnace is its significant energy consumption, which entails an increase in monthly electricity costs.

The standard scheme for using a heater is as follows: carrying out procedures 2-3 times a week for 2 hours. If a heater with a power of up to 18 kW is installed in a private bathhouse, then 36 kW of energy per day must be allocated for bathing procedures, from 72 to 108 kW per week, from 288 to 432 kW per month.

This applies to large buildings; if the steam room is of modest size, located in a country house or in a city apartment, then it is enough to use a device with a power of up to 6 kW.

In this case, the calculations will be more modest: the procedures will require 12 kW per day, from 24 to 36 kW per week, from 96 to 144 kW per month.

To this item you can add electricity costs for connecting additional household appliances and devices. The amount received is the cost of maintaining a private steam room, which must be paid monthly.

Connecting equipment

Installation diagram of an electric floor oven.
The sauna stove is practically made with your own hands. All that remains is to connect it and check its functionality

It is very important to correctly calculate the power of the stove and select a power cable for it. The power of the stove is quite large, so the cable must be selected with a small margin

And the thickness of the core must be appropriate, the insulation must be reliable. The connection is made through a thermostat. If you mainly enjoy dry steam, the regulator can be installed directly in the steam room. But it is much safer to place this element in the dressing room. Then the version of the Russian bath will be safe for visitors to the steam room.

Don't forget to ground the heater body

It is important!. Now the basket needs to be filled tightly with stones

It should be remembered that the larger the total area of contact between the stones, the higher the heat transfer will be. It is advisable to use stones of flat shape and different sizes for the stove. Then you will have the opportunity to pack them in the basket as tightly as possible. Try to maximize the height of the stones, since the volume is also very important: the larger it is, the longer the high temperature will remain in the steam room

Now the basket needs to be filled tightly with stones. It should be remembered that the larger the total area of contact between the stones, the higher the heat transfer will be. It is advisable to use stones of flat shape and different sizes for the stove. Then you will have the opportunity to pack them in the basket as tightly as possible. Try to maximize the height of the stones, since the volume is also very important: the larger it is, the longer the high temperature will remain in the steam room.

A flat floor is required

The sauna is installed directly on the floor in the room.

In this regard, the presence of sharp slopes, steps, etc. is not desirable.

If there are tiles on the floor in the room, this can only be welcomed.

Even if a slope is required for water drainage, the perimeter of the sauna should preferably be in a horizontal plane.

In a steam room, the water evaporates quickly, so unless you flood the floor too much, there is no need for a drain hole in the sauna.

Kinds

Electric stoves come in a wide variety and can be successfully used in almost any room. The classification of furnaces is given in the table:

Classification	There are	Peculiarities
By accommodation type	wall-mounted	used in tight spaces, reduces the risk of burns
floor	for larger saunas
By shape	cylindrical	the optimal choice depends on the design and dimensions of the room
rectangular
square
spherical
corner
Depending on power	with power supply from 220V	with power up to 7 kW
powered by 380V	with power over 7 kW
By type of heater	open	quick heating of the room
closed	heat preservation
According to case material	steel	last longer than others
aluminum	the lightest and most durable, but cools faster
cast iron	hold heat better than others, have a lot of weight
Additional options	with steam generator	capable of producing wet steam
without steam generator	If necessary, the steam room can be purchased separately

Dimensions

The smaller the sauna, the more important the size of the stove becomes. Low-power heaters are usually very modest in size. As an example, we can mention the Harvia Compact stove - its width is 24.5-30 cm, depth 22 cm, height 54 cm. It weighs only 9 kg (without stones). Another model from the same company - Vega Compact - weighs even less: 7 kg and has dimensions: 28x29.5x50.5 cm.

IMPORTANT! Information on sizes is essential for selection, therefore it is always indicated in catalogs.

Yes, and one more interesting point : ovens of the same size (within the same line) can have different power. This allows the manufacturer to reduce production costs, and the consumer to choose a standard-sized heater for the volume of the steam room.

Further information will be useful to those who have already purchased a stove and need information on how to properly install and connect it.

Popular models

At 220V

Electric bath stove 220V is used for saunas if the required design power does not exceed 7 kW

Please note that most 220V models can also operate on 380V, if the need arises

SAWO SCANDIA SCA-60NS-Z

Price - from 8,000 rubles
Power, kW: 6
Voltage: 220V / 380V
Control: remote
Heated volume, m3: 5-8
Dimensions, mm: 410x290x450
Weight of stones, kg: 22
Case material: stainless steel
Country of origin: Finland

Harvia Vega BC-45

Price - from 13,600 rubles
Power, kW: 4.5
Voltage: 220V / 380V
Control: on the body
Heated volume, m3: 3-6
Dimensions, mm: 480x310x540 mm
Weight of stones, kg: 25
Case material: stainless steel
Country of origin: Finland

Tulikivi Huurre Black

Price - from 79,900 rubles
Power, kW: 6.8
Voltage: 220V / 380V
Control: remote
Useful volume, m3: 5-9
Dimensions, mm: 380x380x950 mm
Weight of stones, kg: 60
Case material: ceramic
Country of origin: Finland

Tylo Sense Combi + Elite Remote Control

Price - from 130,000 rubles
Power, kW: 6.6
Voltage: 220V / 380V
Control: remote
Heated volume, m3: 4-8
Dimensions, mm: 480x310x540 mm
Weight of stones, kg: 25
Case material: stainless steel
Country of origin: Sweden

Harvia Cilindro PC-70 F

Price - from 28,000 rubles
Power, kW: 6.8
Voltage: 220V / 380V
Control: remote
Heated volume, m3: 6
Dimensions, mm: 320x320x930 mm
Weight of stones, kg: 80
Case material: stainless steel
Country of origin: Finland

At 380V

An electric sauna stove 380V is used for saunas designed for more than 5 people. The optimal heating volume for such installations is from 5 m3. Power - from 6 kW.

IKI Pillar 6 kW