FAQ's

Q: Is Infrared safe?

A: Absolutely! Infrared light energy is beneficial and not at all damaging to the body unlike Ultra Violet, X Rays or Microwaves. Infrared energy is everywhere and even produced by our own cells, emanating from our skin and the palms of our hands. Infrared has been researched and used in medical practices for over a hundred years. Many maternity wards in hospitals use infrared lamps to warm newborn babies. Sports medicine has long accepted and used Infrared to promote healing of sprains and strains. NASA has also concluded after lengthy trials in the 1980's that Infrared therapy is the best way for astronauts to maintain cardiovascular fitness on long space flights.

Q: Can I receive constant infrared emission during my session?

A: ABSOLUTELY. To receive constant Far-infrared heat using your Far North Sauna's digital controller simply set the controller to its highest setting. During a 30 to 45 minute session, the heaters will be emitting 100% Far-infrared heat, with no intermittent shut off. If at any point during your session you become too hot just open the fresh air vent provided to allow as much outside fresh air in as desired.

Q: What will the increase be to my electric bill?

A: Because infrared is very efficient at warming the body the power required is very low indeed. A normal 30 min session should cost about $0.10-$0.20. This will vary slightly depending on your provider and fluctuating costs, but it is very inexpensive to operate.

Q: Will I need to hire an electrician or upgrade to 220 volt?

A: NO. Our standard 1,2 and 3 man saunas our designed specifically so that you can plug them directly into a standard 120 volt plug on a 15 amp circuit. (Standard house outlet) . We do offer our larger saunas and an upgrade to the standard in a higher wattage version. This would require upgrading your receptacle and circuit to 20 amps. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask, we have an electrician on staff at all times.

Q: Why do you use cedar wood to build your sauna products?

A: Renowned for its natural beauty and outstanding physical properties, the Canadian Western red cedar wood is considered the best choice in wood for building saunas. It has a uniform and fine-grained texture, rich and beautiful color, and subtle aroma. Its natural oil and extractives act as preservatives to protect the wood from insect attacks and decay-causing fungi. In addition, it is dimensionally stable and boasts very low shrinkage value.

Q: Is Cedar wood toxic?

A: Cedar wood and its oil have been used from 3000-4000 years ago to prevent or cure illnesses throughout the regions. Any kind of wood, including cedar wood, might be harmful to human health if its wood dust is inhaled in an enormous amount in a closed space such as a saw mill or a wood factory. But the normal use of a sauna made with cedar wood is safe to the human body. No case has been reported to any government agencies or research institutions throughout the world regarding the health problems related to using a cedar wood sauna. If a company tells you that they are using another type of wood for any other reason then because it costs less, you are not being told the truth. The only reason not to use Cedar would be if you were allergic.

Q: Is a Far North Infrared Sauna really effective for pain relief?

A: Relief from Arthritic joints and lower back pain is a common benefit for many people. Research has also shown infrared therapy can effectively manage all manner of muscular and skeletal aches and pains. One of the main reasons for its ability to do this is through the dilating of capillaries in areas associated with pain that allows oxygen rich blood to bathe the area flushing away acid metabolic wastes that build up contributing to pain, soreness and stiffness. Many people that have had trouble sleeping from pain and stress have found deep restful sleep once again.

Q: How often can I use the Far North Infrared Sauna?

A: As with any form of exercise it is important to build up a tolerance. In the same way, when initially using your Sauna start slowly and increase treatment time and temperature day by day. Use a lower temperature (35C) for about 15-20 minutes 3 times a week initially. Many people once conditioned enjoy daily sessions of up to 35-40 minutes.

Q: I am chemically sensitive. Are some sauna woods better for me then other woods?

A: ABSOLUTELY. Some manufacturers will use veneer sheets in place of tongue and groove wood on many parts of the sauna such as the exterior, ceiling, back panel, and floor. As a sauna heats up to 140 degrees, these veneer sheets can off-gas and cause eye irritation as well as other reactions. We only recommend a 100% tongue and groove sauna built with a hypoallergenic wood to those that are chemically sensitive. Speak to our specialists about what type of wood is the best for your particular situation.

Q: How does your Sauna warranty compare to other brands?

A: You are purchasing the highest quality sauna on the market. We build our saunas with the finest in wood, emitters and electronics. We warranty all components of our saunas for a lifetime. Try finding that anywhere else! Our units are able to be used in a commercial setting and will easily last a lifetime in a home application. Most other brands give you only a maximum of 1 year on the wood (some give none) , from 1-5 years on the controls and 3-5 years on the emitters. Please see our Warranty Page for more details.

Q: Why does Far North Saunas not sell conventional saunas as well?

A: We are a company that specializes in far-infrared saunas. As a result, we focus all of our energy on providing you with the best product, knowledge and information. Knowing what we know about infrared saunas, we can not, with a good conscience, sell you a conventional sauna. Please refer to our comparisons of Far-Infrared Saunas Vs Conventional Saunas.

Q: Do Far North Saunas' heaters have constant emission, I've heard this is better?

A: "Constant emission" means that a thermostat gradually adjusts to a lower output when you reach the pre-determined heat setting. This is a misnomer. If you reduce the wattage you eliminate the full far infrared output of the heaters, rendering them useless! This is what we recommend:
1. Set the temperature at or around 40-50 degrees Celsius.
2. When you get into the sauna, raise the temperature to 60 degrees Celsius.
Within a half hour you will likely not quite reach that temperature, but you will have experienced the constant full output of the best far infrared heaters available and you will know it! If you do reach the temperature you can simply open the vent and let the temperature come down slightly allowing the heaters to continue to function at their maximum output.

Q: Why not use rod heaters in the Sauna?

A. Incoloy rod heaters are just regular heaters. It produces some infrared in the near and medium-infrared range, however, because they are steel rods, they cannot produce far-infrared. These companies are more "infrared sauna brands" rather than "far-infrared brands". These heaters should not be used with hopes of far-infrared therapy; this is an adult incubator.

Whereas the red line are Ceramic Heater specs and the black line is Steel (Incoloy) Rod Heaters. 

Ceramic is considered a raw natural earth element and Incoloy a highly processed form of earth element. Ceramic heaters are known to emit 95% + of the total heat in Far Infrared form. Incoloy is known to emit only 50-60% of its heat in Far Infrared form. Ceramic has also been shown to emit the majority of its FIR between 7-12 microns (as shown below). Incoloy emits the majority of its FIR between 0-7 microns. You will benefit from both ceramic and incoloy, but you will get a much higher concentration of 9.5 from Ceramic and very little from Incoloy. Overall, you get more value for your dollar with ceramic heaters.