Step-by-Step Guide on How to Turn On an Infrared Sauna Safely

A sauna offers the perfect way to relax, relieve stress, and boost your health. But turning it on without knowing the right steps can be risky. 

In this guide, you’ll learn how to power up your sauna safely, set the right temperature, and enjoy your session comfortably. Follow these steps for a worry-free experience.

• Understand Sauna Basics: Know the right temperature and session length for your sauna type.
  
  

• Choose the Right Heater: Match power, type, and safety features to your sauna and needs.
  
  

• Install Safely: Set up your heater with proper clearance, ventilation, and electrical safety.
  
  

• Preheat and Set Correctly: Allow 20–30 minutes to heat and adjust temperature gradually.
  
  

• Monitor Your Session: Limit time, listen to your body, and cool down safely afterward.

Sauna use can be incredibly beneficial when done safely and correctly. Different types of saunas have recommended temperature ranges:

• Traditional Finnish Sauna: 150°F–195°F (65°C–90°C) with dry heat and occasional steam bursts

• Infrared Sauna: 120°F–150°F (49°C–66°C) with gentler, penetrating heat

• Steam Room: 110°F–120°F (43°C–49°C) with high humidity

These ranges are backed by studies, especially from Finland, showing improvements in cardiovascular health, muscle recovery, and cellular repair through heat shock proteins. 

A typical session lasts 5–20 minutes; beginners should start with 10–15 minutes, while infrared sessions can extend to 30 minutes. 

During sauna use, the body heats up, the heart rate rises, blood vessels dilate, and sweating helps regulate temperature. 

Long-term, this can lower blood pressure, reduce arterial stiffness, improve exercise tolerance, and even decrease the risk of dementia. 

Staying hydrated, listening to your body, and consulting a doctor if you have health conditions ensures a safe, relaxing experience that maximizes both physical and mental benefits.

• Sauna Size: Match heater power to your sauna’s size and insulation.

• Heater Type: Choose electric for convenience or wood-burning for tradition.

• Power & Stones: Check heater power and stone capacity.

• Safety Features: Look for thermostats, timers, and certified quality marks.

• Operating Costs: Consider electricity or wood usage and maintenance needs.

• Heat Preference: Decide between strong, quick heat or gentle, long-lasting warmth.

• Budget & Warranty: Ensure it fits your budget and includes a good warranty.

Install your sauna heater by choosing the right tools (drill, screwdriver, level, wiring equipment). Select a safe location with adequate clearance, mount the heater at the recommended height, connect it to the electrical supply following safety guidelines, and ensure proper ventilation.

• No special tools or construction knowledge needed, panels click together securely with pre-aligned connectors.

• No electrician required, just plug into a standard 120V 15A outlet.

• 2 people recommended, for safe lifting and alignment of glass and wall panels.

• Delivered in flat-pack format, for easy navigation through doors and hallways.

Set your sauna heater between 150°F and 175°F. Beginners should start at the lower end and increase gradually. 

Avoid extreme temperatures. Saunas take 20–30 minutes to heat. Maintain even warmth by adjusting vents and placing stones evenly.

When learning how to use a sauna control panel properly, it helps to look at a simple example, like the ones on our Heavenly Heat infrared saunas. 

You just press the main power button, choose your temperature using the plus and minus symbols, and set your session time on the timer buttons. 

The bright digital display makes everything clear, so even first-time users can start their sauna safely and confidently without confusion.

Preheat the sauna for 20–30 minutes with the door closed, aiming for a stable temperature of 175–190°F (80–88°C). 

Allow the heat to settle before stepping in so your session starts at the ideal intensity. For example, high-quality models like the Heavenly Heat infrared sauna can reach 185°F+ within minutes while giving you full heat control, making it easier to hit your target range. 

Once inside, limit each session to 10–20 minutes and always take a break if you start feeling overheated or lightheaded.

A sauna takes time to heat up depending on the type you use. Traditional saunas with electric or gas heaters usually need 30 to 60 minutes, while wood-burning ones can take 60 to 90 minutes. Infrared saunas heat faster, becoming ready in 10 to 15 minutes. If you want the room itself very warm, allow 30 to 45 minutes for the air to reach a comfortable temperature.

When turning on a sauna, set the temperature based on the type. For a traditional sauna, start around 160 degrees Fahrenheit and gradually increase up to 195. Infrared saunas work at lower temperatures, 120 to 150 degrees, while steam rooms should be 110 to 120 due to high humidity. Begin with lower heat, monitor your comfort, and increase gradually as you adjust.

To safely turn off or cool down a sauna, first switch off the heater according to its type, electric heaters via the control panel, wood-burning by letting the fire burn out without water, and gas by closing the supply and valve. Exit the sauna, open vents for airflow, turn off accessories, and leave the door ajar. After it cools, clean benches and floors to remove moisture and sweat.