Introduction
Infrared saunas are gaining popularity as a way to unwind and detox. They use light to create heat and are usually larger than regular steam saunas. However, the heating elements are outside the room, so it takes more time for an infrared sauna to get hot.
Generally, a single-person infrared sauna takes 15 minutes to reach max temperature. A two-person sauna may require 30 minutes. Water and rocks in a steam/hot rock spa take longer to warm up.
Benefits of Infrared Sauna
Infrared saunas offer many wellness perks! This special type of sauna uses infrared heaters to emit infrared light, which is taken in by the body without upping its temperature. As a result, this sauna provides deeper, more effective heat than regular saunas, bringing more therapeutic gains.
The infrared heat permeates the skin layers, stimulating circulation and drawing out toxins from the body’s tissue. As a result, people often find infrared saunas ideal for calming the senses and relieving stress. Also, its increased blood circulation can aid those with tight joints and arthritis.
Furthermore, infrared saunas are thought to help with the following:
- clearer thinking
- better sleep
- improved cardiac health
- elevated mood
- reduced chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms
- better skin texture.
How Long Does it Take for an Infrared Sauna to Heat Up?
Infrared saunas don’t use heated air like regular saunas. Instead, they use infrared radiation. It makes them more efficient, but it also means they take longer to heat up. How long? Let’s explore this further.
Factors Affecting Heat-Up Time
How long it takes for an infrared sauna to heat up depends on several factors. The type, size, wattage of the sauna, and air temperature are all necessary. Generally, warm-up time is 10-30 minutes.
- Larger saunas need more energy, so they take longer to heat up than small ones.
- And, the higher the wattage, the quicker they heat up.
- Additionally, the sauna will take longer to heat if the room is cold (below 70F / 21C).
For safety, most infrared saunas have a built-in feature that prevents them from getting too hot. It protects users from burns, injuries, and damage to the equipment.
Average Heat-Up Time
People are often shocked by how quickly an infrared sauna warms up. It usually takes 5-20 minutes, depending on the size and wattage of the heater. To get the most out of it, set the room to 110-118°F. Insulation, wattage, size, and outdoor temp can affect heating time. While some heat up faster than others, expect it to take some time. But, over time, more efficient heating rates are noticed, with savings on energy costs.
Safety Tips
Are Gettin’ ready to use an infrared sauna? Safety first! Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Check the sauna is assembled correctly and that all parts are working.
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions before turning it on.
- Inspect the walls and seating area regularly for broken or fraying cords or heat damage.
- Take breaks if you feel dizzy, uncomfortable, or short of breath.
- Don’t leave kids unattended; heat can be dangerous for those with asthma and diabetes.
- Don’t let your skin temperature get too high; infrared light makes it hard to regulate internal temperature, which could lead to dehydration and other hyperthermia-related issues.
- Take a 20-30 minute break before re-entering the sauna after the first time; that’ll help ya adjust to the temperature better.
Conclusion
To wrap up, the time it takes for an infrared sauna to be heated depends on several factors. These include the number of people using it, the size of the room, and the sauna’s location. In addition, some saunas allow you to adjust the temperature, which affects heating speed.
It can take up to 30 minutes for bigger spaces and more people to reach the desired temperature. Nonetheless, any infrared sauna can be heated for around 15 minutes, in theory.