Harvia Sauna Heater: How To Use

How to Use a Harvia Sauna Heater - Complete Guide

Harvia has been crafting high-quality sauna heaters since 1950, offering a range of electric, wood-burning, and combi models to suit every sauna size and preference. This guide will walk you through how to use Harvia sauna heater, focusing on safety and ensuring you get the best experience from your sauna.

Whether you're new to saunas or upgrading your current setup, understanding how to operate your Harvia heater is essential. We'll cover everything from selecting the right model to installation, operation, and maintenance, so you can enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating sauna session.

Harvia's electric heaters, such as The Wall and TopClass, come with a variety of user-friendly features. Many include manual switches, separate controls, and even remote access via the MyHarvia app. These heaters are designed to match your sauna's size, with 1 kW per cubic meter being the general recommendation for optimal performance.

For those who love the traditional sauna experience, Harvia's wood-burning heaters, like the Cauldron and Legend, provide the perfect cozy ambiance. If you prefer a customizable sauna experience, Harvia's combi heaters, such as the Virta Combi, allow you to adjust both heat and humidity for a truly personalized session.

Key Takeaways

• Harvia offers electric, wood-burning, and combi sauna heaters for various sauna sizes and preferences
• Electric heaters are rated in kW, with 1 kW recommended per cubic meter of sauna space
• Harvia electric heaters provide convenient control options, including manual switches, separate control units, and remote control via the MyHarvia app
• Wood-burning heaters offer a traditional and atmospheric sauna experience
• Combi heaters allow adjusting both humidity and heat levels for a customizable sauna session

Understanding Your Harvia Sauna Heater

Enjoying a sauna is all about the right heater. Harvia, a top sauna heater maker since 1950, has many models. They offer electric, wood-burning, and combi heaters to fit your needs.

Harvia Heater Models and Specifications

Harvia heaters are rated by power in kilowatts (kW). A general rule is 1 kW for every cubic meter of sauna space. They have several series, each with special features:

• Wall and TopClass series: Electric heaters for home use, with easy harvia sauna heater controls.
• Legend and Linear series: Wood-burning heaters for a traditional sauna feel.
• Virta Combi series: Combi heaters that mix steam and electric heating for a versatile sauna.

Harvia heaters are for both home and business use. They have models for different needs and durability. For example, the KIP series includes the KIP-30-B1, KIP-45-B1, KIP-60-B1, and KIP-80-B1, fitting various sauna sizes and power needs.

Key Components of a Harvia Sauna Heater

Harvia heaters have important parts for best performance and safety:

Harvia heaters come in different prices and models. By picking the right heater and knowing its parts, you get a safe, fun, and lasting sauna experience.

Preparing Your Harvia Sauna Heater for Use

Before you can enjoy its features your first need to understand Harvia sauna how to use it. This means picking the right spot, making sure there's good air flow, and setting up the heater and sensor as the manual says.

Selecting the Right Location for Your Heater

When picking a spot for your Harvia sauna heater, think about a few things:

• Keep the heater away from other things as the manual says
• For indoor saunas, hang the heater 22" off the floor and 15.25" apart, centered over vents if there are any
• Make sure the spot lets air move in and out well

Proper Ventilation for Your Sauna Room

Good air flow is key for your Harvia sauna heater to work right. Your sauna room should have:

• At least 6 air changes per hour
• Big enough and in the right place intake and exhaust vents
• Free air flow around the heater

Installing the Heater and Temperature Sensor

Here's how to put in your Harvia sauna heater and sensor:

1. Mount the heater to the wall using the brackets and hardware that come with it
2. Put the temperature sensor housing up, at least 18" to the side and 18" below the highest point in the sauna
3. Plug the heater into the right power source, as the harvia sauna manual says

Check the table below for the power needs of different Harvia KIP heater models:

By picking the right spot, making sure air flows well, and setting up the heater and sensor right, you're ready for a great sauna experience.

Wiring and Electrical Connections

When setting up your Harvia sauna heater, it's key to have a licensed electrician do the wiring. They must follow local codes and regulations. This ensures your safety and the heater's proper function.

The cost of wiring depends on several factors. These include the distance to the electrical box and your sauna's location. Harvia heaters come in manual and digital models. Each needs specific amp breakers and wire sizes based on power and distance.

Manual control heaters need breakers from 30A to 45A. Digital models, including Wi-Fi ones, also need breakers in this range. The wire size depends on the heater's power and distance from the breaker. Always use the right wire size and rating (194°F/90°C) for best performance and safety.

When connecting the power, follow your model's wiring diagrams. Make sure to use the correct voltage (240V 1-phase or 208V 3-phase). Ensure all connections are secure and grounded to avoid electrical dangers.

Harvia sauna heaters are energy-efficient on 220v. They don't raise your electricity bills much. For example, the Harvia KIP sauna heater comes in 6kW and 8kW sizes. The 6kW model needs a 30-amp breaker and 10/2 wire, while the 8kW model requires a 40-amp breaker and 8/2 wire.

Remember, your sauna heater needs 220v wiring and must be hard-wired to the electrical box. Saunas on 220v and using less than 40 amps are very energy-efficient. They won't raise your electricity bills much, so you can enjoy your sauna without worrying about high energy costs.

Placing the Sauna Stones

Setting up your Harvia sauna heater involves a key step: placing the sauna stones. These stones are essential for even heat distribution and a great sauna experience. Let's look at how to choose and arrange them for the best results.

Selecting the Right Sauna Stones

It's important to pick the right sauna stones for your Harvia heater. We suggest using stones recommended by Harvia, especially igneous ones. These stones keep heat well and last long, making your sauna sessions consistent and enjoyable. Stay away from stones that might be harmful or break easily when hot.

When picking stones for your Harvia sauna, think about these things:

• Make sure they fit your Harvia heater model
• Choose stones that are the right size and shape
• Look for stones that hold heat well
• Make sure they're durable and won't crack or explode

Washing and Arranging the Stones

Before putting the stones in your Harvia heater, wash them well. This removes dust and makes the stones clean and safe for use.

After washing, arrange the stones in your Harvia heater like this:

1. Put the stones loosely in the heater to let air flow.
2. Spread them out to cover the heating elements without pushing them.
3. Make sure the stones are stable and spread out evenly for best heat transfer.
4. Replace any broken or worn-out stones to keep things running smoothly.

The number of stones you need depends on your Harvia heater model. Here's a general guide:

Getting the stones right is key for even heat and a great sauna feel. By choosing the right stones and following Harvia's tips, you'll enjoy a refreshing sauna at home.

Harvia Sauna Heater How to Use

Using a Harvia sauna heater is easy and makes your sauna time relaxing. Harvia sauna how to turn on is easy you just need a few steps and you're ready to enjoy a warm, steamy session at home.

Setting the Temperature and Timer

First, adjust the temperature with the thermostat on your Harvia sauna heater. Choose a temperature between the minimum and maximum settings, based on what you like. Then, set the timer to preheat and decide how long you want to stay.

The Harvia KIP Series has a 60-minute timer and thermostat. You can also set a delay up to 8 hours before your sauna starts.

Proper Water Use on the Heated Stones

When the sauna is hot enough, pour water over the stones to make steam. This makes your sauna time even better, helping to open your pores and relax you. But, don't pour too much water at once. Too much can harm the heater and make the sauna too wet.

Safety Precautions and Best Practices

To have a safe and fun sauna time, remember these tips:

• Drink lots of water before, during, and after your sauna to stay hydrated
• Keep your sauna sessions short, usually 20-30 minutes
• Don't drink alcohol before or during your sauna, as it can cause dehydration
• If you have health issues, talk to your doctor before using a sauna
• Always follow the Harvia instructions for your sauna heater model

By following Harvia sauna instructions easy steps and safety tips on how to turn on a Harvia sauna you can enjoy your Harvia sauna heater. It will help improve your circulation, reduce stress, and boost your overall health.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

To keep your Harvia sauna heater working well, regular care and fixing problems are key. We'll show you how to maintain your heater and solve common issues.

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance Tasks

Keeping your Harvia sauna heater in good shape is important. Do these tasks often:

• Wipe the heater with a damp cloth to clean it.
• Look for worn-out or crumbling sauna stones and replace them.
• Vacuum or sweep inside the heater to get rid of dust or stone pieces.
• Check the wiring and connections for damage or looseness.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some tips for fixing common problems with your Harvia sauna heater:

1. Heater not turning on:
   • Make sure the timer and thermostat are set right.
   • Check if the heater is plugged in correctly.
   • See if the circuit breaker has tripped.
2. Heater not getting hot enough:
   • Set the thermostat to the right temperature.
   • Make sure the sauna room is well-insulated and has good air flow.
   • Check if the heater's kW output fits the sauna room size.
3. Heater keeps tripping the high-limit switch:
   • Check if the heater is too close to walls or other things.
   • Make sure the high-limit switch is working and connected right.
   • Verify the heater's kW output matches the room size.

If you still have problems, press the harvia reset button on the heater. This button is a safety feature that can help fix small issues.

When to Contact a Professional

While you can fix many problems yourself, some need a pro. Call a qualified electrician or sauna technician if:

• The heater keeps tripping the circuit breaker or high-limit switch.
• You see any electrical damage, like frayed wires or burnt connections.
• The heater makes strange noises or smells bad while running.
• You're not sure about the wiring or how to install it.

Remember, regular maintenance and quick problem-solving are key to enjoying a safe and relaxing sauna experience with your Harvia heater.

Conclusion

Using a Harvia sauna heater is a rewarding experience. It offers many health benefits and relaxation. By knowing your specific Harvia heater model, you can enjoy it fully.

These heaters fit different sauna room sizes. They have power ratings from 3.0 kW to 8.0 kW. Popular models include the Harvia M3, Harvia Vega, and Harvia Cilindro.

Proper installation is crucial. Consider room volume, heater positioning, and wiring. Arrange the sauna stones right and adjust the temperature to 150°F to 190°F (65°C to 88°C) for a perfect sauna experience. Don't forget to use the harvia sauna heater reset button if needed.

Regular maintenance is important. Check and replace stones, clean the exterior, and fix any issues quickly. This keeps your Harvia heater working well.

By following this guide, you can confidently use and maintain your Harvia sauna heater. Enjoy many years of rejuvenating sauna sessions. Harvia offers a wide range of models to suit your preferences and needs. So, relax and enjoy the warmth of your Harvia sauna, knowing you're making the most of it.