We view the heating element as the mechanical heartbeat of the sauna experience, responsible for the efficient conversion of energy into the deep, radiant heat required for a proper session. Our collection features genuine OEM replacement elements for industry-leading brands like Harvia, HUUM, and Scandia. By utilizing high-grade stainless steel construction, we focus on providing components that resist warping, corrosion, and thermal fatigue, ensuring your system restores its original performance and factory safety standards.
- Precision Voltage Engineering: We prioritize exact matches for 208V commercial and 240V residential circuits, ensuring optimal heat output and preventing the premature burnout caused by mismatched electrical loads.
- Industrial-Grade Stainless Steel: We offer elements crafted from robust alloys designed to withstand the high thermal stress of daily rock-cavity exposure and the occasional moisture of steam generation.
- Balanced Load Restoration: We recommend renewing elements in complete matched sets to ensure even heat distribution across the stone cavity, protecting internal wiring and control boards from unbalanced surges.
- Authentic Brand Performance: We strictly provide genuine replacement cores for HUUM DROP, HIVE, and Harvia KIP series, preserving the manufacturer's original design intent and UL/ETL safety certifications.
- Enhanced Thermal Efficiency: Our high-output elements are designed for rapid response, allowing your sauna to reach target temperatures quickly while maintaining steady heat with minimal fluctuations.
Frequently Asked Questions for Sauna Heater Elements
Maintaining a sauna heater requires a technical understanding of ohm resistance, voltage differentials, and airflow physics. We have compiled these authoritative answers to ensure your heater repairs are safe, effective, and long-lasting.
Why is it important to choose 208V vs. 240V for our sauna element?
In our experience, 208V is standard for commercial 3-phase power, while 240V is the residential standard. We emphasize that installing a 240V element in a 208V circuit will result in weak heat, while a 208V element in a 240V circuit will overheat and fail almost immediately.
Can we use a 3000W element in a heater designed for 2000W elements?
No. We strictly advise against upgrading wattage. Using a 3000W element in a 2000W-rated slot can overload internal wiring, trip the high-limit safety switch, or permanently damage the control board due to excessive amperage draw.
How many elements does a 6000W (6kW) sauna heater need?
Most residential 6kW heaters we support, such as the Harvia KIP, utilize three 2000W elements. However, larger commercial units may use a different configuration; we always recommend verifying your heater's internal schematic before ordering.
What is the difference between HUUM EL20 and EL30 elements?
The EL20 is a 2000W core for smaller DROP and HIVE Mini units, while the EL30 is a 3000W high-output core for 15kW and 18kW heaters. We note they are not interchangeable due to different physical lengths and power draw specifications.
Should we replace all sauna elements at once or just the broken one?
We recommend replacing the entire bank of elements simultaneously. If one has failed, the others are likely near the end of their service life. Replacing the set ensures balanced electrical loading and prevents redundant labor costs.
Why did our sauna element warp or bend?
In our experience, warping is usually caused by stone settling. If stones are packed too tightly, they block airflow, causing the element to overheat, glow red-hot, and eventually warp or short against the heater frame.
How do we know if our sauna heater element is burnt out?
If the sauna takes twice as long to heat up or has cold spots in the rocks, an element has failed. We recommend a technician verify this with a multimeter to check for continuity or proper ohm resistance across the terminals.
Does a Scandia 3kW 208V element work in other brands?
While wattage might match, we caution that the physical shape and mounting flange must be identical. These are OEM parts designed for a vapor-tight seal at the base of specific Scandia and American Sauna models.
Does pouring water on the rocks damage the heating elements?
While designed for humidity, "flooding" the heater can cause thermal shock. We recommend keeping stones properly stacked; if water hits a red-hot exposed element directly, it can crack the stainless steel sheath.
Why are HUUM elements made of stainless steel?
We utilize high-grade stainless steel for HUUM elements because of its superior resistance to corrosion and deformation. It is significantly more durable than copper in the high-heat, high-moisture environment of a stone cavity.
What is "Scaling" on a sauna element?
Scaling is mineral buildup from hard water. We've found this acts as an insulator, forcing the element to work harder. Over time, heavy scaling leads to internal overheating and eventual element burnout.
How long do sauna heater elements typically last?
In residential US homes, elements typically last 5 to 10 years. For commercial gyms running 16 hours a day, we anticipate replacement every 2 to 3 years due to constant thermal cycling.
Can a broken sauna element cause an electrical fire?
A failed element usually shorts and trips the breaker. However, we warn that an element "grounding out" can energize the heater shell, which is why we strictly require proper grounding per NEC standards.
Does using "Generic" elements void our HUUM or Harvia warranty?
Yes. We strictly recommend authentic elements, as generic alternatives can void manufacturer warranties and safety listings (UL/ETL) by not meeting specific resistance and airflow tolerances.
What is the "ZSL-316" part number?
This is the Harvia factory part code for the FH79 (2670W) element. We list both brand and manufacturer codes to ensure US customers receive the exact match for their KIP-80 or FIN-80 heaters.
How can we extend the life of our HUUM HIVE elements?
We suggest "re-stacking" your stones annually. By removing small gravel and placing stones loosely around the elements, we ensure maximum airflow and prevent the hot spots that lead to element failure.
Why is the heater "humming" or "buzzing" after element replacement?
This is often due to the magnetic field of high-amperage current. We recommend ensuring the mounting nuts are tightened securely and that elements are not touching the metal walls of the heater.
Do we need a plumber or an electrician to change sauna elements?
In the US, we strictly recommend a licensed electrician. This involves high-voltage wiring and requires ensuring the water-tight seals at the bottom are properly seated to prevent leaks into the electrical box.
Why did the new element smoke when we first turned it on?
A small amount of smoke is normal during the first 10 minutes. We've found that manufacturers apply a thin protective oil to the stainless steel; this must "burn off" before your first session.
What is the "Notes for 240V" mention on Finlandia elements?
This is a critical warning for US buyers to verify their building's voltage. We caution that installing a 240V element in a 208V commercial building will result in a sauna that never reaches target temperature.