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Conventional vs Infrared – Which is best for you?
We all know that a good sauna session is one of the best ways to relax and unwind. Sweating out all the unwanted toxins and improving your skin are just some of the benefits you can expect to receive when regularly using a sauna. Typically, traditional saunas create a heat source using wood, electric or gas to increase the temperature inside a sauna space. Nowadays, the technology of far-infrared has been introduced into new sauna enclosures, offering a completely different experience for the user without losing any of the health benefits. So which one would you prefer?
The Far Infrared Sauna
Far infrared saunas use infrared light to heat the user directly, rather than heating the air first. The heating experience is directly comparable to being in the sun in a hot climate – it feels warm and soothing. But be careful not to confuse the far infrared rays which are safe, to the UV rays which you may have had first hand experience with through sunburn! The emission of infrared heat rays dispersed at the right frequency triggers a process called “resonant absorption“, in which toxins and harmful metals are removed from the body through sweating at higher rates when compared to a conventional sauna.
Unlike a conventional sauna, a far infrared sauna operates at a lower heat temperature, so many find the whole environment more comfortable to be in. Many conventional saunas operate between 180F to 200F – an intensive heat for users to sit around in and relax. In addition to this, a conventional sauna works to heat the entire area including the air so some find it difficult to breathe when the temperature is at peak. In comparison, a far infrared sauna will operate between 100F to 150F – an environment which is far more tolerable for the user to breathe in. This is due to the fact that the infrared sauna works to heat the user directly as opposed to the surrounding cabin, with figures showing that less than 20% of the infrared energy being lost in heating the air.
Sherry A Rogers M.D. – Author of “Detoxify or Die“
“Thanks to improved technology, the far infrared sauna is far safer and infinitely more tolerable, because it uses a heat energy that penetrates tissues, triggering mobilization of chemicals from subcutaneous fat storage, directly into the sweat. This activating penetration allows for a much lower overall temperature to be used, one that is enjoyable and not torture.”
You may be thinking “this new technology must be expensive!” Well, as a matter of fact because the far infrared saunas operate at a lower heat setting the energy that they require is less when directly compared to a conventional sauna. Some manufacturers state that an infrared sauna costs less than £5* per month if used for 1 hour 3 times a week. On top of that there’s no plumbing required, you just plug it in – that’s more money in your back pocket. You don’t have to build it in either, so you can take your sauna with you if you move house. Initial outlay costs are favourable too, with infrared saunas starting from £1500 and bespoke conventional installations reaching costs of up to £30,000.
So you may ask yourself “Why isn’t everyone moving over to far infrared?” Well, it’s indubitable that the traditional sauna is here to stay.
The Traditional Sauna
In defence of the traditional sauna, some say that there are benefits that can’t be provided by infrared saunas due to the lack of steam created in the cabin. Some say that it is this steam that is essential to the healing process of the body, especially in regards to respiratory ailments. Supporters of the conventional sauna state that it is the experience that is essential to the enjoyment of a sauna session. Although you may not start the sweating process as quickly as you would in an infrared sauna, the body still produces a large amount of sweat when in a traditional environment. After all, this method has been used for years and is still being used to date in many locations around the world.
Regular users of a conventional sauna will state that it “simply feels more refreshing“, and that it is “a much more enjoyable experience“. The action of pouring the water onto the hot stones to create the steam is therapeutic, and that allowing a natural heat source such as wood to create the heat makes for an unmatchable environment to be in. Even though you can control the heat in an infrared sauna electronically, you can manage the temperature in a traditional sauna. You simply add more water to the stove to increase the heat, or move to a lower bench or open the door to cool down.
The Verdict
It’s pretty difficult to decide which sauna really is for you. I’d recommend that you try both out before making your final decision, or perhaps speak with people who own them. Take your time in deciding and do plenty of research as there a lot of options available. Nevertheless, the benefits you can receive for both you and your body are undeniable regardless of how you achieve them, be it infrared heat or steam. I’ve made my decision – have you?
*based on an infrared sauna operating at 1.8KW, at a tariff of 15p per kWhr.
Di Vapor unveils the new Savona!
This summer, Di Vapor has introduced an all new glass steam shower aptly named the Savona. This sleek 900 x 900mm low profile 1 person steam shower designed for one person, can be fitted into a corner or fitted against the middle of the a wall. A swinging glass door entrance mounted on the front provides an elegant finish designed to set off the newest contemporary bathrooms.
The unit comes complete with an artificial marble low profile tray, and removable wooden bench so that you can remove it when not using the unit for steam maximising showering space. In addition to this, the Savona comes complete with everything required for the perfect escape including thermostatic valve controls for the overhead monsoon shower and handheld shower, hydro massage body jets, FM radio with MP3 & CD support, and provision for aromatherapy.
A beautiful unit suited for the latest bathroom renovations. For more information please visit the following link: http://www.divapor.com/savona-steam-shower-cabins/shower-cabins-savona.php
Making your home Greener!
There are a few changes you can make to your home that will save you money and help protect the environment at the same time. Study the following options to see if there is room for improvement in your home.
Insulate your home
Up to 40 percent of the heat that is lost in the home is through the roof and surrounding walls. This percentage can be reduced significantly by installing simple loft insulation costing between £200 to £300, resulting in an average saving of £150 per year. Cavity wall insulation prices start from £130 with an average saving of £100 a year. Obvious improvements such as double glazing will also reduce heat loss through the windows.
Reducing your water usage
At present, homes across the UK can use up to 1000 litres of water per day. One option is to install a water meter along with low-flush toilets. You can also take advantage of rainwater, by installing a harvesting system which can reduce your water consumption by as much as half whilst being used with toilets, washing machines and gardening. Systems such as this can start from £3500.
Generate your own Energy
Photovoltaic (PC) Cells or solar panels as we know them, operate by capturing solar radiation and converting it into electricity. An average home with a south facing roof could potentially generate half of its own needed energy using these cells. Systems vary in prices but are expected to be paid back within at least ten years. Wind turbines are also an option, but only effective in certain locations. It is important to carry out a wind assessment beforehand – Prices for wind turbines start from £1000.
Make small change around the home
Lighting in the home accounts for around 15 per cent of your annual electricity bill, so it is important to change over to energy saving bulbs throughout your home. Each bulb can save up to £7 per year! Installing an efficient condensing boiler is expected to save £150+ per year, whilst investing in a jacket and lagging for your hot water cylinder and pipes will pay itself back within one year of installation.
Sources: Homebuilding & Renovating magazine – June 2008
Reduce Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain with an Infrared Sauna
Heat therapy has been used since Hippocratic times to treat varying ailments. Now the Saxion University of Applied Sciences has shown how patients suffering with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) can benefit from infrared sauna treatment. The study conducted on 17 patients suffering with RA and 17 patients suffering with AS showed very positive results with a decrease in pain, stiffness and fatigue.
Joint with Rheumatoid Arthritis (Source: www.nih.gov)
During the infrared sauna treatment both pain and stiffness were significantly decreased. Importantly, the results were shown to be ‘statistically significant’. Furthermore, the infrared sauna treatment showed no adverse effects and did not exacerbate the disease. Other positive effects showed a lowering in blood pressure and weight loss.
Infrared saunas are compact, affordable and offer a practical option for whole body heat treatment within your own home. For more findings from this study please read the full article: http://www.divapor.com/sauna-articles/sauna-treatment-rheumatoid-arthritis.php
The River Thames can heat your home!
A couple based in Oxford have found a novel use for the River Thames, running just opposite their newly built home. Water from the free flowing river provides the raw material required for a water based heat pump which is being utilised to heat the water in their home. The principle is the same as a ground source heat pump, which extracts heat from the local environment, which in this case is the River Thames.
Combined with high insulation, and correctly glazed windows the demand for heating is less here than in the average home. The combination of the Thames heat pump and solar panels provides enough energy to warm both their home and hot water supply. Taking advantage of these new ecosaving energy sources could mean that we are getting ever closer to that cost-free shower first thing each morning!
So what’s the science behind it? Both air and water source heat pumps are enviromentally efficient ways of transforming natural heat sources to benefit our homes. Air heat pumps can be utilised for heating the home, whereas water based heat pumps can take advantage of the heat in a lake or from the ground. This technology can easily be explained when looking at your fridge at home. A small heat pump located on the back of the fridge works to move any heat from inside the fridge to the outside, thus cooling down the inside. For more information on heat pumps please visit the following link: http://www.ecoheatpumps.co.uk/heat_pumps.htm
Source: Grand Design Magazine – July 2009