Bathhouse with electric heater: construction, reviews, features

From time immemorial, the traditional Russian bathhouse was heated by a wood stove. But today, more and more often, users choose an electric heater. This solution is explained by a number of advantages: simplicity and ease of maintenance, no need to light and stoke the stove, maintain the fire, or remove ash. Modern models of electric heaters are equipped with convenient controls, automatically maintain the set temperature, and often have a steam generator function.

However, there is a widespread belief that only a wood-burning stove is suitable for a real Russian bath. And electric heaters can only be used in saunas for which they are intended. Is it so? We will describe the features of using electric stoves in baths and provide reviews from users and specialists.

Operating principle of an electric heater

A traditional sauna stove contains three main components. This is the fuel compartment, chimney and heater. If firewood is used for heating, then it must be loaded into the stove in a timely manner, ignited, maintained, and the ash removed. It's a little easier with a gas oven. In this case, there is no need to bother with firewood and ash. However, the design still requires a separate combustion chamber and chimney.

In this aspect, electric furnaces have a clear advantage over wood and gas ones. There is no question of a chimney here at all; a combustion chamber is also not needed. Therefore, the heating elements can be located in the same compartment with the stones. This greatly simplifies the design and makes servicing the furnace much easier.

Small portable electric heaters have another advantage - mobility. If wood-burning stoves are attached to a chimney, then an electric one can be easily rearranged indoors or even moved to another bathhouse.

An electric heater with a steam generator has a slightly more complex design. When using it, there is no need to add water to the stones. The electric heater automatically regulates the steam supply. There is also functionality for temperature control. In this case, the user can choose a temperature regime that is convenient for themselves.

Let us note an important point. When choosing an electric heater with a steam generator, you need to pay attention to the characteristics of the steam it produces. For a Russian bath you definitely need fine, light steam. However, some models generate heavy steam, which is not suitable for a steam room.

How to choose and what to pay attention to?

First of all, it is worth paying increased attention to the quality of thermal insulation . The role of insulation is usually performed by a layer of air between the steel sheets that make up the body of the electric furnace. Some models are faced with tiles or natural stone.

This design makes it possible to increase the safety of using the unit, protecting against burns when touching the body.

Another important aspect when choosing an electric heater is the device control mechanism . It can be equipped with a built-in control panel, a mobile remote control, or a combination of both elements.

Another criterion is the level of required voltage in the electrical network . There are units with requirements of 220 or 380 V. The second option is more economical, but it is less often found on sale.

The built-in container allows you to always have a supply of hot water on hand for washing while the electric stove is running, and also more effectively humidify the air in the steam room.

Material of manufacture

The following types of materials are used for the production of electric heaters::

cast iron - durable and retains heat well, but is heavy;
enameled steel is an inexpensive but not very common option;
Stainless steel is the most popular material, characterized by durability, aesthetics and good heat dissipation.

Heater type

Heaters vary in volume. It is the stones that produce heat and allow steam to form.

For a compact sauna, 2-2.5 kilograms of stones may be sufficient . In a large room, you need to install a stove that can fit at least 6 kilograms of stone into the heater.

Furnace design

According to the type of design, electric sauna stoves are divided into open and closed . To generate a significant amount of dry steam, open-type heaters are used.

If you only need a little steam, it is better to choose a stove with a closed heater, which will retain heat longer.

Installation method

Based on the installation method, electric furnaces are divided into wall-mounted and floor-mounted structures. Mounted electric heaters have a low power level and are usually used in saunas and bathhouses of modest size.

The range of floor-standing devices is distinguished by a large selection. You can find both compact low-power ovens and powerful, large devices powered by a voltage of 380 V.

Heated volume

The power level of the electric furnace is selected according to the following indicators:

1 kW of power * 1 m3 of steam room.

This calculation is valid for steam rooms that have high-quality insulation of wall surfaces, ceilings and floors.

Design features of the electric heater

The main component of any electric heater is the heating elements. The most commonly used heating elements or tape heaters.

Heating elements for electric heaters

Most models on the market use heating elements. They are distinguished by their simplicity and unpretentiousness. A closed tube contains a metal spiral, which heats up when an electric current passes. Due to the simplicity of design and manufacture, heating elements are widely used in household appliances (heaters, kettles, washing machines).

Heating elements have also proven themselves well in heaters. But they have certain disadvantages, which become more pronounced when used open. So, in the process of laying stones, the heating element can be damaged. And if you fill it with water, it will completely fail. Therefore, you need to handle them quite carefully.

Tape heaters

The design of such heaters differs in that the spirals are laid inside a ceramic tape. Thanks to this, they are better protected and much more difficult to damage. The second advantage of strip heaters is their higher efficiency. With the same power, they are capable of heating a room 1.5 times larger in volume compared to heating elements. This is also facilitated by their design, which provides higher efficiency.

Tape heaters are more expensive than heating elements. Therefore, the cost of heaters equipped with them is usually higher. However, they are more likely to fall into the middle price category. There are models with heating elements that are noticeably more expensive.

General information about electric furnaces

The equipment in question is an electric heating device that uses special elements to generate heat - heating elements (thermoelectric heaters, also known as tubular electric heaters). It is these elements that are a kind of “motor” of the stove, and they are heated when the device is connected to the electrical network. During the heating process, through heating elements, heat is transferred to nearby objects (water tank, bath stones) or to the external environment (steam room space).

IMPORTANT! The total number of heating elements in an electric stove can vary from 4 to 12, and the use of this type of element in the device classifies the latter into the group of electric heating devices, the production of which is regulated by State Standard “R” No. 52084 of 2003.

Design features of electric furnaces

The electric sauna stove structurally consists of the following parts:

Double body;
Thermoelectric heaters;
Thermal insulation.

Inside the body there are heating components, on top of which a stand for heating bath stones is mounted. The correct selection of stones (as well as their proper placement) will determine the rate of heating of the room and the quality of the steam produced (for example, heavy and large stones can maintain the optimal temperature in the steam room for a long time). The outside of the housing must be sheathed with metal plates with special gaps, at least 3.5 millimeters, which is required to cool the device when it is turned off. Metal screens can also act as the main cooling thermal insulation elements, which will protect wooden objects located nearby from overheating and fire.

When using a steam room commercially, it can accommodate a stove with either an open or closed design. The former, today, are more in demand, because they are able to warm up the room faster, while producing very clean steam. Open designs have a nichrome wire thread, which is integrated into the stand, becoming a heating base. Closed variations of stoves can be mounted both vertically and horizontally, and they differ in the presence of a special bus responsible for conducting electric current to the heating elements.

Pros and cons of electric sauna stoves

The main advantages of the devices under consideration can be confidently included:

Rapid heating of rooms and maintaining a stable temperature in them for a long period of time;
Light weight and ergonomic body, perfect for steam rooms with a small area;
Possibility of self-installation without obtaining permits;
No separate replenishment with fuel material is required, which significantly saves usable space in the heated room;
The design does not provide for the emission of smoke, which indicates additional safety and the possibility of installing this equipment without interference in city apartments;
Easy and affordable maintenance;
The temperature control system is very convenient, which is a consequence of the presence of an internal regulator;
There is an installed safety system that prevents the case from overheating;
There is an adequate degree of protection against possible fire of flammable materials located near the stove.

Of the obvious disadvantages, only two main ones can be identified, but they are extremely significant:

Electric furnaces consume a huge amount of electricity, which will require some temporary restrictions when taking steaming procedures, so as not to receive huge bills for the use of electricity;
These appliances have reduced heating output and cannot compare to wood or gas stoves.

Calculating energy costs when using an electric heater

As mentioned above, the main disadvantage of electric furnaces is their excessive energy consumption, which will obviously lead to overpayments by the owner for electricity. However, by rationally calculating the mode of use of a steam room with an electric oven, it is possible not only to tidy up costs, but also to reduce them. So, usually an electric heater is used for steaming procedures 1-2 times a week for a total time period of 2 hours each. Thus, a furnace with a power of up to 18 kilowatts will approximately consume 36 kilowatts in one session, which will produce from 72 to 108 kilowatts per week or from 288 to 432 kilowatts per month. However, these figures will be valid for large private baths, and if the steam room is of modest size and is located in a city apartment, then the figures will be much lower, because in these cases you can use a stove with a power of up to 6 kilowatts. For such low-power furnaces, the costs will be as follows: the procedures will require 12 kilowatts per day, from 24 to 36 kilowatts per week, from 96 to 144 kilowatts per month.

Technical differences of modern electric sauna stoves

The heating devices under consideration can be distinguished by the following technical parameters:

Installation method - there are two of them, i.e. floor and wall. The latter option is preferable to use for small-sized steam rooms, which will save usable space in them, creating maximum comfort when taking procedures. Floor-standing models, on the contrary, are designed for large rooms. Their body can be very diverse: angular, square, round, cylindrical and rectangular. From here it is clear that the choice of body shape should be influenced by the geometric features of the steam room.
Design - it can be open or closed. The latter type is good at maintaining an optimal temperature for a long time, and the first type is best used to quickly warm up the room.
Body material - usually, electric furnaces are made of stainless steel, cast iron or aluminum. Cast iron models are considered the most reliable and durable, and they also have high heat capacity. Metal models are easy to use and practical; they can provide uniform and quick heating of the room.

For high-quality and efficient operation of electric stoves, you will need to take into account several additional parameters:

Generated power - it determines the upper limit of heating of the steam room;
The volume of the working room and the number of bath stones used - the speed of heating of the surrounding space will depend on them (for example, small rooms will need only 2.5 kilograms of stones, and for large rooms this figure should start from 5.5 kilograms);
Using a steam generator - this additional device can be either built-in or remote (i.e. external). To operate the steam generator, you will need to pour water into a special tank, which will evaporate under the influence of high temperatures, producing wet steam. To obtain drier air, the steam generator's air duct is simply directed towards the heated stones, and then the air becomes dry and light.

Control

Electric heaters that vary in price have different sets of functions. Standard functionality includes the ability to adjust the temperature, automatically turn off after a certain period of time, as well as delayed start (usually up to 9 hours). Electric furnaces with a steam generator also provide humidity control.

The electric heater is controlled from the remote control. There are two main options here. The remote control can be built-in or remote. Built-in, together with all control keys and indicators, is located directly on the furnace body. Using the remote control, you can control the heater remotely.

Heater type - open and closed

A standard electric stove requires an open heater type. In this case, the stones are located between the heating elements and are not closed from above. This method of producing steam is the simplest, but has disadvantages. Stones located on top heat up less than those located below. The result is low quality steam.

In a closed heater, the stones heat up much better and more evenly. Thanks to this, such a stove produces good, finely dispersed steam, optimal for a Russian bath. But this has its own problems - to obtain high-quality steam, you need strong heating of a sufficiently large number of stones, which means high power of the electric furnace. But such an electric heater is not suitable for a small bathhouse.

Therefore, owners of small baths should consider the option of a steam generator.

Electric heaters with steam generators

The design of such electric furnaces involves autonomous steam generation. Due to the use of electricity for steam generation, the stones do not need to be heated as strongly as in traditional heaters. This allows you to save on power consumption.

There are steam generators that can be purchased and installed separately. If the steam generator is combined with a furnace in one housing, then such a design is usually called the term combi. Typically, models of electric heaters with a built-in steam generator have this word in their names.

TOP 5 best electric furnaces for saunas and baths for 220 V

Sawo SCANDIA SCA-60NB-Z

A high quality electric heater for a small home sauna or bathhouse at a reasonable cost . Suitable for installation in a room with a volume of 5-8 cubic meters. Holds up to 22 kilograms of stones, allowing you to fill the room with a pleasant, soft steam.

Equipped with a convenient and simple built-in remote control for controlling the device, which adjusts the power and operating time of the electric furnace and the turn-on delay timer.

The outer casing is made of stainless steel, the internal coating is made of durable galvanized steel, not subject to corrosion processes. An excellent combination of quality, reliability and affordable price.

Characteristics:

power - 6 kW;
min. sauna volume - 5 m3;
Max. sauna volume - 8 m3;
maximum weight of stones - 22 kg;
dimensions - 51.5*29*45 cm;

Advantages:

affordable price;
modest dimensions;
there is no heating of the case during operation;
controlled from a remote control, there are redundant buttons on the body;
protected from corrosion;
creates a pleasant atmosphere in the steam room.

Flaws:

none.

Harvia Cilindro PC70E

An electric stove for heating baths and saunas from a well-known Finnish manufacturer combines the latest technologies and uses electrical energy economically.

Covered with durable fireproof paint. Long-term operation is achieved due to the successful selection of materials and convenient design made of cylindrical metal. This design allows you to take full advantage of the electric heater’s wide range of capabilities, as it can hold up to 90 kilograms of stone.

The grate type of heater makes it possible to quickly and efficiently heat the steam room to the required temperature level.

This stove model can be mounted near the shelves of the bathhouse or built into them, since the surface does not heat up during operation. The best choice for those who value comfort and ease of use, without paying attention to the inconspicuous appearance.

Characteristics:

power - 6.8 kW;
min. sauna volume - 6 m3;
Max. sauna volume - 10 m3;
maximum weight of stones - 90 kg;
dimensions - 32*32*93 cm;

Advantages:

attractive appearance;
rapid heating of the room;
high quality metal.

Flaws:

low location of temperature regulators.

Sawo ARIES ARI3-60NB-WL-P

The model is an excellent example of the craftsmanship of the Finnish electric furnace manufacturer . It is of the wall type, which does not prevent it from effectively heating the entire steam room. Saves useful space in the room, so the steam room can serve a larger number of vacationers at the same time.

During bathing procedures, you can change the quality of the resulting steam - when watering the upper stones it will be rich and thick, the lower ones - thinner and more moderate.

High quality stainless steel is used for production, which has a high level of resistance to corrosion processes and does not collapse under conditions of high temperature and humidity..

Heating elements are mounted along the entire length of the stone cage, which allows you to warm them up in the shortest possible time. The operation of the electric heater is adjusted using the built-in remote control, which allows you to make adjustments to the equipment during steaming procedures.

Characteristics:

power - 6 kW;
min. steam room volume - 5 m3;
Max. steam room volume - 8 m3;
maximum weight of stones - 65 kg;
dimensions - 41.5*25*103 cm;

Advantages:

excellent combination of high quality and reasonable cost;
interesting design;
durable heater grill;
built-in timer and thermostat;
compact dimensions;
built-in controls.

Flaws:

Sawo MINI MN-36NB-Z

An electric heater is one of the best options for small home steam rooms and saunas, as it is designed for use in a room with a volume of 3 to 6 m3.

The optimal combination of Finnish quality and moderate cost of the device. The material of manufacture inside is galvanized, outside is high-quality stainless steel. Allows you to guarantee many years of uninterrupted operation of the electric furnace. High-quality heating elements are used as heating elements.

The device has a miniature size, making it incredibly popular for small spaces..

The set comes with an ergonomic control panel placed on the side. It can be installed on any side of the electric heater according to your desire. A pair of regulators allows you to set temperature conditions, limit the temperature or operating time of the device.

Characteristics:

power - 3.6 kW;
min. sauna volume - 3 m3;
Max. sauna volume - 6 m3;
maximum weight of stones - 11 kg;
dimensions - 43.5*21*45 cm;

Advantages:

affordable price;
wide functionality;
high level of reliability;
durability.

Flaws:

not detected.

Sawo MINI COMBI MNC-36NS-Z

An excellent solution for saunas and small baths . The device is equipped with a built-in steam generator, which creates a light and pleasant atmosphere inside the steam room, reminiscent of a real Russian bathhouse. The steam generator has a built-in scale to control the minimum liquid level.

In addition, it is possible to add water to the stones inside the cage to maintain the mode of a traditional sports sauna. The material is high-quality stainless steel, with a galvanized coating on the inside.

The device is connected to a remote control panel, which must be purchased separately . It makes it possible to control the microclimate in the steam room. The delivery set includes a bowl for essential or aromatic oils.

Characteristics:

power - 3.6 kW;
min. room volume - 3m3;
Max. room volume - 6 m3;
maximum weight of stones - 10.5 kg;
dimensions - 33*50*24 cm;

Advantages:

presence of a steam generator;
small overall dimensions;
reliable;
a large number of options;
stable work.

Flaws:

none.

Power supply type: 220 or 380 volts

For a small bathhouse, an electric heater with a 220 V power supply is suitable. You can connect and install such a stove yourself. Of course, it is better to call an electrician to check the wiring.

More powerful models are designed for a voltage of 380 V. It is better to call a specialist to connect them. Proper grounding is especially important here. There should be no phase imbalance, voltage drop, etc.

There are also stoves that can operate on both types of networks. If possible, it is better to connect them to 380 V.

Features of the construction of a bathhouse with an electric heater

When designing a bathhouse with an electric heater, special attention must be paid to the reliability of electrical networks and properly equipped grounding. If the room is large enough, then you definitely need to choose an electric oven powered by 380 volts. This means that you need to lay wiring with a wide cross-section of cores.

The electric heater in the steam room can be placed on the floor or wall. More powerful models require floor placement. In a small steam room, the heater can be mounted on the wall.

Another important point is room ventilation. Although there is no open fire, as in a traditional oven, oxygen will be vigorously consumed. Therefore, the issue of reliable ventilation of the steam room is very important for your health and safety.

Advantages and disadvantages of electric heaters

Let us highlight the main features of electric sauna stoves.

Advantages:

• Easy to maintain, there is no need to load and light firewood or remove ash. • Automatic control, the ability to accurately regulate temperature (and humidity for models with a steam generator), start and turn off at a given point in time. • Compactness, mobility, the ability to rearrange the heater or move it to another room. • Wide selection of models with different power and user characteristics. • Ability to quickly set the desired temperature and humidity. • The smallest models can be used to organize a steam room even in a city apartment. • Simplicity of design, absence of fireplace and chimney. Saves construction time and costs compared to a traditional wood stove.

Flaws:

• Most inexpensive models do not provide conditions suitable for a Russian steam room (combination of temperature and humidity, correct steam consistency). • Difficulty in achieving optimal parameters even when using advanced electric heaters.

TOP 5 best electric stoves for saunas and baths at 380 V

Sawo ARIES ARI3-60NB-CNR-P

An excellent option for those for whom it is important to preserve free space in the steam room . The housing is designed in the likeness of a tower, so that warm air is evenly distributed inside the room. The type of steam produced can be easily adjusted by changing the height of watering the stones.

By watering the top stones you will get intense evaporation, while the bottom stones will produce light steam of moderate intensity..

The manufacturing process of the device complies with all European standards. Only high quality materials are used that can withstand the harsh conditions in the steam room.

The location of the heating elements is designed so that they are in maximum contact with the surface of the stones, which increases the degree and speed of heating . There is a built-in control panel.

Characteristics:

power - 6 kW;
min. room volume - 5 m3;
Max. room volume - 8 m3;
maximum weight of stones - 65 kg;
dimensions - 33.5*33.5*100 cm;

Advantages:

affordable cost level;
high quality;
durability;
suitable for a standard size bath;
miniature.

Flaws:

requires loading a large number of stones for effective heating.

Sawo SCANDIA SCA-60NB-Z

For steam rooms with volumes from 5 to 9 cubic meters, the installation of this model can be considered a priority . The combination of two types of metal to construct the heater allows you to achieve the perfect balance between the attractiveness of stainless steel and the reliability of galvanized steel.

The volume of the stone being laid warms up the air in a short time and allows you to obtain comfortable finely dispersed steam.

The oven is equipped with a built-in timer and temperature level regulator. The handles on the control panel are made of heat-resistant material with low thermal conductivity, and therefore do not heat up. The device is located on a suspension.

Characteristics:

power - 6 kW;
built-in remote control;
room volume from 5 to 9 m3;
maximum weight of stones - 22 kg;
dimensions - 51.5*29*45 cm.

Advantages:

reliability;
nice design;
fast heating;
safety.

Flaws:

Sawo SAVONIA SAV-90NB-Z

An electric furnace for lovers of extremely high temperatures in a steam room, sauna or bathhouse . The body allows you to accommodate a significant volume of stones to create high quality steam. The materials used in production are not afraid of high humidity and temperature.

The legs of the device are height adjustable and increase safety of operation..

The high quality of the electric heater, high power and the presence of additional options allow for regular, long-term use, which is important when organizing a sauna as a business. It is equipped with a built-in control panel.

Characteristics:

power - 9 kW;
min. sauna volume - 8 m3;
Max. sauna volume - 14 m3;
maximum weight of stones - 50 kg;
dimensions - 50*41*65.5 cm.

Advantages:

excellent build quality;
simple and intuitive controls;
high performance of the device;
compactness combined with power.

Flaws:

not suitable for small spaces.

Sawo SCANDIA SCA-80NB-Z

A miniature stove for an average bath or sauna with simple and intuitive controls at an affordable price . Made from a combination of stainless and galvanized steel, guaranteeing high reliability.

The heating elements are sealed from moisture penetration, so you can pour water directly on top of the stones to regulate the amount of steam without fear of damaging the device.

The power level and operating time are set from the remote control.

Characteristics:

power - 8 kW;
min. room volume - 7 m3;
Max. room volume - 13 m3;
maximum weight of stones - 22 kg;
dimensions - 51.5*29*52 cm.

Advantages:

compact;
powerful;
inexpensive;
economical;
roomy.

Flaws:

Harvia Cilindro PC70E

The model is versatile and produces both dry and wet steam . Takes up little free space. Equipped with a built-in control panel.

Holds a large number of stones and has a sleek, minimalist design. It will easily fit into modern interior types and into a classic bathhouse.

Characteristics:

power - 6.8 kW;
min. volume - 6 m3;
Max. volume - 10 m3;
maximum weight of stones - 80 kg;
dimensions - 32*32*93 cm.

Advantages:

appearance;
metal quality;
control.

Flaws:

Reviews

Despite the rather long history of using electric heaters, reviews about them are often exactly the opposite. A number of users believe that a real Russian bathhouse should be heated only by a wood stove. At the same time, it is argued that an electric heater is, in principle, unable to provide high-quality finely dispersed steam and the correct ratio of temperature and humidity.

There are also similar opinions among experts. True, it is usually noted that there are still models on the market that provide the conditions required for a steam room.

There is also an opinion that only with the help of an electric heater can you achieve precise parameters and maintain them offline. Therefore, such models are often chosen not only by private users, but by owners of commercial establishments.

As for ordinary users, many of them note the convenience of electric heaters, quick heating of the room and the absence of the need for complex maintenance.

Whose stoves are better?

Despite the fact that the market is literally flooded with various models, there are not so many main players on it. In Russia you can buy stoves:

Finnish;
Swedish;
German;
Russian.

At the same time, Finnish companies predominate . But there is nothing surprising here - this is their national bathhouse. And the consumer feels more trust in a company that knows first-hand about the bathing traditions of its people.

Here is a list of the main Finnish companies that produce electric sauna heaters:

Helo;
Sawo;
Harvia;
Narvi.

We have a large article about one of these, with a description of most of the families of its extensive model range. However, do not rush to conclude that other companies are somehow worse .
It’s just that more people in Russia know Harvey. And high-quality products are characteristic of all companies in this market. The Swedes are represented by Tylo, and the Germans by EOS. Russian, "Polytech", "Teplodar", "Ermak", "TEK". Realizing that the place is already occupied by Finns and other Europeans, the Russians are trying to give their products a certain zest that would distinguish them from competitors - tape heaters at an affordable price , for example. Therefore, those who are still searching can safely recommend viewing domestic offers .

By the way, we decided that the opinions of other readers like you could help in drawing up a real picture of the experience-based preferences of Russians. We invite you to get acquainted with the results of the survey and, if you wish, take part in it as much as possible.

Finally, let's find out the opinions of sauna owners about the stoves they purchased: