Heating and Electrical

Heater

We use Canadian-made heaters!

For our large 4-person sauna, we use a 6000-watt CSA-approved heater that is locally manufactured in Markham, Ontario by Fenno Manufacturing, since 1944.

We also use a Fenno 9000-watt heater for builds that are 42 sq ft and larger.

For smaller builds, we use 3000-5000 watt CSA-approved heaters from SaunaCore, which are locally manufactured in Bolton, Ontario.

And for builds that need a 7000 or 8000 watt heater, we use a SaunaCore heater.

The 6000-watt heater requires a 30-amp (non-GFI) breaker
These are all wet sauna heaters — they are designed to have water thrown on the rocks to create a great löyly (Finnish word for the steam rising from the rocks) experience!
Rocks are included with all heaters
Mechanical controls (temperature and timer) are included with the 6000-watt heater. Digital controls come with heaters from SaunaCore (no WiFi though).
With the Fenno and SaunaCore heaters, there is no upgrade available to Bluetooth or WiFi controls (see our FAQ: "What about digital and bluetooth or WiFi controls?")

We can source other brand heaters if you want. We prefer to buy local for a few reasons:

No distributor in the middle — we buy direct from the manufacturers.
The heaters don't have to travel over the ocean to get here. And what happens if they're out of stock, or a part is only available from across the ocean?
It's very easy to source parts and get warranty work completed if an issue arises.
We know of a major name-brand heater that has an ongoing problem with their timers burning out. So just because a heater has a popular brand name on it doesn't make it bulletproof.

Electrical

We know there's a lot of information in this section, but please do read it carefully — it will make the installation of your sauna much easier.

We strive to simplify the process of purchasing and installing a sauna, ensuring a seamless experience for you. Unlike many sauna sellers who merely provide the heater and control panel, leaving customers to grapple with electrical intricacies, we've taken extensive measures to alleviate these concerns. Recognizing the challenges individuals face in navigating electrical setups, especially with saunas, we've gone above and beyond to streamline the process.

We suspect sauna manufacturers avoid direct guidance on electrical installation due to legal limitations and a desire to avoid complex customer inquiries. This often leaves critical questions unanswered, such as:

Is the installed heater size compliant with safety regulations for this sauna size?
How can a 3-inch-thick control panel be properly mounted on a 1.5-inch-thick timber wall?
Is the control panel adequately protected from rain?

We think it's crazy that you should be left to decipher all the connections and source all the correct components yourself. Many electricians may lack experience setting up saunas, leading to potential errors and increased costs. Recognizing this, we've taken extra steps to provide you with a hassle-free sauna setup experience.

What Sets Us Apart

We've revolutionized the process by offering pre-installation of all components before delivery. That means your sauna arrives with everything already expertly installed, saving you time and hassle.

But we don't stop there. We also secure a safety certification through eSAFE Product Approval Services, providing you with unparalleled peace of mind. This ensures our saunas meet the highest safety standards — a level of assurance you simply won't find anywhere else in North America.

Once certified, it's done for good! This eSAFE approval is permanently tied to your sauna, offering continued peace of mind whether you decide to move it or pass it on to a new owner.

Choosing to forgo our electrical installation and certification service could lead to future headaches if you ever relocate your sauna. Upon moving and reconnecting, local inspectors will want to know who performed the electrical work on the sauna itself. This means your original electrician would have to apply for a permit for that specific portion — and the new electrician you hire to connect it to your new home won't be able to sign off on work they didn't do. It's a bit intricate, but the key takeaway is that all electrical connections require a permit every single time they're hooked up.

Please note that the sauna prices listed in our 'Pricing' section do not include the electrical installation or certification discussed above. For these costs, please continue reading to view the pricing for our electrical package options below.

Choose Your Electrical Option

Three ways to get your sauna wired safely — pick what fits your budget and preference.

Option 1 — Most Popular

Full Electrical Package Installation & eSAFE Certification

$2,750 and up (depending on heater size)

Choose this option for ultimate convenience and peace of mind. We'll expertly install the complete electrical system directly onto your sauna and secure its eSAFE certification before it's even delivered.

What our electrical package includes:

Sub-Panel & Breakers: We supply and install a 4-slot sub-panel with dedicated breakers for both the heater and light, ensuring proper power distribution and safety.
Control Enclosure: A robust PVC or metal enclosure box will be provided and installed to securely house your control panel and light dimmer switch.
Pre-Mounted Controls: The control box and light switch box are pre-mounted within the enclosure for a clean and efficient setup.
Custom Cover Plate: We craft a custom cover plate designed to fit perfectly over your controls and light switch, providing a finished look.
Secure Enclosure Access (Metal Boxes): If you opt for a metal enclosure, we'll install a custom latch underneath for easy, secure opening, closing, and locking.
Interior Light Wiring: The light box is installed into the interior wall, with high-heat rated wire expertly run through exterior conduit to the light switch.
Conduit Connections: The sub-panel is securely connected to the control box using durable conduit.
Heater Wiring: We run the heater wire from the control box directly through the sauna wall, ready for your electrician to connect, and provide all necessary connectors.
Marine-Grade Lighting: An interior marine-grade light fixture and bulb are supplied and installed for durability and optimal lighting.
Thermostat Installation: Your sauna's thermostat will be precisely installed for accurate temperature control.
Bonding Plate: We install a bonding plate to simplify the grounding of the aluminum floor for your electrician.
High-Heat Sealing: All interior and exterior holes are meticulously sealed with high-heat silicone for insulation and protection.
Add a Receptacle: We can add one for you near the control box (+$300).

What your electrician will do:

Once your sauna is delivered and assembled by us, your licensed electrician's tasks are remarkably simple:

Main Panel Connection: They supply and install the appropriate breaker in your main electrical panel, and run the necessary wire to the sauna's pre-installed sub-panel.
Heater Connection: Connecting the heater is quick — they just attach it to the pre-installed wires (black, white, ground) we've provided (about 5 minutes).
Floor Bonding: They easily connect a wire to the metal bonding plate for the aluminum floor, using the supplied wire, nut, and bolt (10 seconds!)
ESA Permit: Finally, they apply for the electrical permit from ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) specifically for the work they performed.

These steps are designed to be highly efficient and clear for any qualified electrician.

Pricing by Heater Size

6kW heaters and smaller
$2,750

Heaters larger than 6kW
$3,150+

Larger heaters require additional components, including an appropriately rated electrical contactor, an exterior-rated enclosure box, and extra wiring to the heater.

Customization options available:

We understand every setup is unique. We may be able to modify this standard package to suit your specific needs — please let us know if:

You already have a sub-panel conveniently located nearby
You wish to integrate a larger sub-panel directly onto the sauna
You'd like to add a receptacle to the setup

Option 2

Components Package

$1,400 (6kW & under) | $1,850 (over 6kW)

This option is available to everyone who buys a sauna. We provide all the parts, components, and wires from Option 1, and:

We install the controls and dimmer switch electrical boxes into the enclosure (but not the wiring — just the metal boxes). We install them using a template to line them up with each other for a clean, professional look.
We provide the custom aluminum cover plate to hide all the wires (we give you 2, just in case one gets damaged).
We provide all the wires needed, rated RW90 — for moist, wet environments and high heat. This is what's legally required, but most electricians don't stock it and it can't be bought by the foot, making it difficult for them to source.
We drill the holes in the sauna so it's ready for the light, thermostat, and heater wire.

This package will save your electrician significant time searching for the right parts and wires, ensuring a quicker install and ultimately saving you money.

Option 3

Electrician Recommendation Service

If you prefer to have all electrical work completed on-site after delivery and installation, we can recommend licensed electricians who can handle everything for you. This approach might be a more budget-friendly option, but it's important to note that you would not receive our eSAFE sauna certification with this service.

With this option, the recommended electrician would be responsible for all electrical installations at your location after we've delivered and set up your sauna. They would also be responsible for obtaining all necessary permits for their work.

Ryt Saunas will handle the delivery and physical installation of the sauna unit. All electrical work, including communication with the electrician, falls under your responsibility. Please schedule your electrician to come after the sauna has been delivered and assembled.

With these three distinct options, our goal is to make getting you into a sauna easy and headache-free. Let us know which option works best for you, and we'll help you take the next step!

Important Note: The warranty is void if the sauna is not connected by a licensed electrician with proof of an invoice or permit. We will not warranty any of our products if not connected properly, as improper connections can lead to excessive heat, lack of heat, fires, and various other issues.