Does anyone have a home sauna?

I assume anyone from the Nordic countries would... from what I understand, that's the lifestyle.

I'm in the states and have thought about building a sauna and shower outside. Can't decide what to use for heat. I love the idea of a wood fire but cheap firewood isn't easy to come by here. Natural gas would be cheaper than electric in my area and I have a feeling it would heat faster.

So what kind of sauna do you have at home? Kit, build it yourself, gas heat, wood fire? I'd even be interested in how people feel about their infrared saunas although I'm not interested in doing that.

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SomeMichGuy · M

If you look at how the shape of energy is changing, I would advise against depending upon C from propane/natural gas (this might go away as we try to fix our C budget).

Wood heat can be efficient if you use a system forcing air over the fire to increase the burn temperature and reduce unwanted emission by-products (ash, CO, etc.) However, I would be cautious about advising a source which might be more regulated in terms of efficiency.

That pushes the solution towards other renewables, wind and/or solar.

Both solar photovoltaics & wind give power you can store in batteries so you can use your sauna whenever.

There is also an option you likely remember from the 1970s & 80s, solar where you directly heat the water, which could be your primary daytime source, with electric backup.