Arranging a home bath and a classic sauna is quite an expensive and difficult task. They require certain construction skills from the master, careful preparation of materials and tools. In addition, saturated water vapor and high temperatures are not suitable for everyone. An alternative option for independent work is an electric sauna (as an example - a sauna model harvia), which does not require freeing up a large area and great skills.
Brief overview of the article
Advantages of the electric model
The advantages of choosing an electric sauna include a number of advantages:
- Simplicity of the device.
- The ability to use compact-sized rooms for arranging the structure.
- A significantly narrowed range of contraindications for use.
- Lack of saturated water vapor, which reduces the risk of fungal colonies developing in the room.
- There is a fairly large selection of electrical installations, as well as the ability to install them yourself.
- A large number of diagrams and high-quality prepared drawings for work.
If difficulties arise, the master has the opportunity to watch educational video lessons on carrying out construction work.
The need for automation in the bathhouse
At first glance, a smart sauna seems like just another fad and an expensive toy. However, a closer acquaintance with the system radically changes this opinion. Unlike the ancient, classic options represented by log houses and wood-burning stoves, the operation of most modern bathing equipment is associated with electronics and automation, which implies a wide field of activity in the field of providing comfortable conditions. The latter is most noticeable in the example of Finnish-made smart saunas, fully prepared for work in Smart Home complexes (Harvia, Helo, etc.).
The need to automate a bathhouse is felt when there are a limited number of users, especially when there is only one person in the house, who finds it difficult to control systems and communications without compromising their own comfort.
Advantages of automation over manual labor and mechanics
Compared to manual labor used to maintain mechanical bath equipment, automatic bath equipment offers a number of advantages:
- Safety. Sensors installed in premises, connected to a central control device, sensitively react to the slightest deviations in the environment, correct the operation of equipment, and in the event of an emergency situation that is dangerous to life and health, they trigger an alarm and notify emergency services. They prevent fire and smoke, prevent critical temperatures, monitor the condition of the water supply, etc.
- Human factor. The feeling of fatigue is alien to automatic bathhouses; it is not distracted from the main task and works around the clock. Smart bath equipment eliminates errors inherent in human inattention and negligence, as a result of which expensive devices fail.
- Energy saving. An automated sauna consumes less electricity and uses water and heat sparingly. She will not forget to turn off the lights and turn off the power to electrical appliances if their operation is not necessary and there are no people in the room.
- Programming. Smart sauna equipment can operate according to a given algorithm, set the temperature and supply steam according to the individual needs of each individual user. Thanks to the program, the bathhouse is ready to receive visitors at the set time.
Sauna automation involves remote control and monitoring of sauna equipment at any distance from the object.
The principle of an electric sauna
It is important for a novice master to understand the parameters in which an electric sauna differs from a classic or infrared installation. A sauna of this model is equipped as follows:
- The room, as in most cases, is lined with wood slats.
- An electric oven is installed in the center (most often, but there may be other options).
- The oven may have different structural options, but the principle of its operation is the same for all models. A 220-volt electric sauna heater is standard.
- The furnace heats the stones located behind the protective limiter.
- The heated stones heat the air in a sealed room.
The location of the stove in the center is most optimal, as it allows warm currents to spread evenly throughout the room.
The most important element of the design is, of course, the electric sauna stove. Maximum attention is paid to its technical parameters and design features.
Sauna control panel TyloCC 300
Remote control TyloCC 300
The Tylo company uses innovative technologies in the development of its saunas and is rightfully considered a leader in this direction. An example of a control panel from Tylo is the TyloCC 300 remote control, the use of which significantly expands the user's capabilities, allowing
- set separate operating modes for each day of the month
- remember operating modes used previously
- limit access to the use of the sauna, excluding the possibility of accidentally changing modes
- control the panel remotely
- set a regime not only for drying the sauna, but also for its disinfection
As you can see, a “smart bath” in a smart home is not a myth, but a reality, all that remains is to make the right choice!
Choosing a sauna stove
The operating principle of the oven is convection. The model is reliably protected from moisture, and, consequently, from fire and electrical short circuit. The distinctive ability of the stove is the ability to heat the air in the room to 85 degrees in 60 minutes. When purchasing a stove, you should evaluate the following characteristics:
- Dimensions.
- Availability of protective fences.
- Power.
- Technical ability to heat air.
- Guaranteed properties and integrity of the device.
A very popular model today is the Harvia electric stove, reviews of which are widespread.
What can be automated in a bathhouse, sauna and steam room
The first thing that can be automated in a bathhouse is a device for providing heat and steam. An automatic gas stove for a bath includes a wide range of adjustments, and built-in and remote sensors provide information collection and open up the possibility of remote control. Among them:
- forced or timed on/off;
- maintaining the temperature within the set range;
- control of the supply of gas, water, etc.
The next stage is lighting automation, which is provided by motion sensors and allows you to save electricity by turning it off when there is no person in the room.
An automated ventilation system, equipped with humidity sensors, will provide a comfortable microclimate, fresh air supply, aromatization and will not allow the room to become oversaturated with steam.
A good example of how a bath can be improved is the Nevoton Comfort smart sauna, which was created by Russian developers. The complex is distinguished by its rich functionality, which includes:
- Wi-Fi connection;
- control using a remote control, computer, smartphone or other mobile devices;
- remote control, as well as regulation of temperature and humidity;
- control of gas and electric heaters, steam generators, lighting, ventilation;
- compatibility with various Smart Home systems;
- ability to work with automatic ovens of various brands;
- setting the time for turning on and off each of the devices included in the complex;
- compatibility with various Smart Home systems.
You can give your sauna “mind” yourself . With the appropriate knowledge and access to components, bathhouse automation on Arudino will be a worthy alternative to industrial complexes. At the same time, automating a sauna with your own hands will be cheaper, and its thorough study during the assembly process will eliminate the need for outside help in case of problems and damage.
Selection of design by installation type
Technological progress does not stand still. Today you can choose not only classic floor-standing stoves, but also wall-mounted models. Floor-standing options have a massive body that can accommodate a large number of stones. For wall structures, high-quality fasteners and the weight of loaded stones are important (this figure should not exceed 30 kg).
Smart sauna from Helo company
HELO T1 touch control panel
An example of a control panel from Helo is the HELO T1 touch control panel. Here are the same options for controlling the sauna, allowing you to choose:
- days of sauna use
- on and off times
- heating temperature
- humidity level
- lighting intensity
- operation of the ventilation system
A distinctive feature of the Helo sauna is its originality: the company offers stoves in the form of a clay pot, a burning log, a stone rock, while paying special attention to the issue of optimizing energy consumption and the constant readiness of the sauna for use.
To achieve this, the company offers a line of unique thermos stoves, which can hold a large number of stones up to 100 kilograms or more. The oven can operate in two modes: sleep and operation. In sleep mode, the temperature of the stones is maintained at 100-150 C, while the oven lid is closed, there is no heat transfer, and, therefore, energy consumption is minimal.
When you decide to take a steam bath, just open the lid and splash some water on the stones. In this case, the activation of the sauna and the transition to the intensive heat transfer mode occurs automatically.
Choosing stones for the sauna
An important element for ensuring high-quality sauna operation are stones. The following types of stones are perfect for an electric oven:
- Jade.
- Volcanic peridotite.
- Scandinavian diabase.
Such rocks are able to withstand ultra-high temperatures, remaining intact for a long time. The stones are placed tightly in the heating element to ensure maximum heating of the room. It is also important to periodically inspect the rocks for cracks and chips, followed by replacement.
Sauna control unit from Harvia
Harvia sauna control unit
To control the operation of the sauna, Harvia offers several models of panels, the most popular of which is the Griffin CG170 model and the more modern Harvia Xenio Combi CX110C remote control, which compares favorably with its predecessors by the presence of a touch control panel and stylish design.
Harvia Xenio Combi CX110C
The panel is installed on the wall at a level of 1 m from the floor, but the choice of location can be arbitrary: if you want to monitor the sauna while in the living room, mount the remote control in the living room, if you want to receive information about its operation when entering the house, install the remote control near the front door .
It should be noted that Harvia has already released the Harvia wireless control unit - Fenix SACF10 with the SACF 165S power unit, which has made sauna control even more comfortable.
But let's return to Harvia Xenio: its use allows you to control saunas with any heat source - an electric heater, a stove with a built-in steam generator and a carbon heating element.
Harvia Xenio CX170
You can simultaneously connect a furnace, steam generator, lighting and ventilation system to the panel. To expand the power, for example, when connecting not one, but two furnaces at the same time, or when additionally installing a steam generator to an existing electric heater, a power block is used.
When controlling the sauna, the user can select and set the following parameters:
- days of sauna use
- on and off times
- heating temperature
- humidity level
- lighting intensity
- operation of the ventilation system
At the end of the sauna, you can select a drying mode
Construction of an electric furnace
A classic floor structure can be made with your own hands using construction skills and a number of materials. The entire process of manufacturing an electric sauna heater can be divided into several stages:
- Preparation of the drawing.
- Preparation of tools, selection of installation location.
- Assembly of the structure.
The advantages of self-production include the ability to choose the shape and size yourself. In addition, home-made electric stoves are quite profitable financially.
Tools for work
To make an electric oven you will need the following set of materials and tools:
- Steel sheets or body from an old washing machine. Often a variety of available materials are used.
- Fasteners.
- Welding and grinder for metal work.
- Durable gratings for fencing stones.
- Stones (durable fireproof stones can be purchased at a specialty store).
- Power cable with high quality insulation.
- Rheostat for optimal control of the power of the device.
- Cement board as a heat-resistant base.
- Temperature sensors.
- For decorative finishing, you should purchase only special paint.
A construction marker, tape measure, file, and pliers should also be prepared. We must not forget about our own safety by first preparing personal protective equipment (respirator or mask, protective mask for welding, thick rubberized gloves).
The most optimal place for installation is, of course, the center of the room (cabin). All construction work on finishing the cabin is carried out in advance, and installation of the heating unit is done last. In the center of the room there is a place for an electric stove.
This arrangement allows for optimal heating of the air in the sauna cabin. During the renovation process, you should either leave a niche in the floor without wood paneling, or use a stone slab as a fire-resistant base.
Possibility of remote control
In addition to controlling the smart sauna from the central console, which is located indoors or in the dressing room, you can control the operation of the devices from a distance. A similar effect is possible thanks to “smart” electronics, which allow the equipment to be interfaced with various communication systems. As a communicator, you can use a remote control, a smartphone, or use the voice control provided by the Alice system. Devices connected to Wi-Fi and the Internet allow you to receive information and set modes while outside the home, as well as control the external environment while in the steam room.
Assembly of the structure
Assembly instructions for an electric sauna stove:
- The body is assembled first, connecting the steel sheets by welding.
- The support legs (if provided in the model) are also welded at this stage.
- Next, stones are laid one by one and the heating element is mounted (3-4 of them will be needed, depending on the power of the heating device).
- It is imperative to leave air gaps between the stones and pipes to ensure sufficient convection of heat flows.
- A protective casing is required, which is best constructed from refractory bricks.
- Decorative finishing is carried out only with fire-resistant paint, which, when heated, will not emit toxic compounds, burn or smoke.
One of the last stages is connecting electrical networks to the furnace. For a sauna, it is optimal to use only wires with sufficient insulation. The wires and control panel from the sauna cabin must be taken to a separate room. This approach to construction is the safest and is recommended by GOSTs.
