Introduction - Sauna Lighting Technologies Explained
Sauna lighting is one of the most overlooked items when you're making comparisons between different sauna designs. However, it is one of the defining characteristics of the overall experience of using a sauna. Additionally, it has to withstand extreme conditions that would normally damage the lighting in the rest of your house. This article discusses the technologies used in residential saunas for lighting. We'll go through how these technologies are constructed and explain some of the technical terms you might see on a product specification sheet. Finally, we'll discuss things to think about as you decide which sauna is right for you.
Questions as you read? Contact Ridgecrest, and we'll help you figure out the best options.
Not sure which lighting setup fits your sauna? Talk with a Ridgecrest Guide before you choose a model.
Key Takeaways
- Only use the replacement parts specified by the manufacturer. You do not want to have to worry about ruining your sauna's electrical components because you tried to save money on replacement parts.
- Most sauna lighting uses low-voltage power, and both the transformer and switch are typically installed outside the sauna's hot room.
- As a design convention, rather than a necessity, warm-white light (approximately 2200K to 3000K) is the most popular choice for interior sauna design.
- Sauna lighting and heating systems are completely independent. No amount of colorful lighting can affect how well the sauna will heat.
- Since Ridgecrest does not claim that any feature related to sauna lighting provides benefits to your physical health, select lighting based upon aesthetic appeal and feel.
Direct Answer - What Kinds of Lighting Do Saunas Use?
Sauna lighting is composed of the fixtures and systems used to illuminate a sauna's interior. The types most commonly associated with residential saunas include Sealed Vapor-Proof Fixtures, Low-Voltage LED Lighting (with Color-Changing LED Options), and Optical-Fiber Systems that maintain all electrical components outside the hot room. There are some models that include additional decorative elements, like a Backlit Himalayan-Salt Panel. Regardless of their form, sauna lighting serves to enhance visibility and ambiance in a sauna environment. It must be capable of functioning effectively under the temperature and moisture conditions inherent in a typical sauna setting.
Detailed Discussion - How Sauna Lighting Works
Why Sauna Lights Need Special Fixtures
Residential sauna environments frequently achieve temperatures ranging from approximately 150 degrees Fahrenheit to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, while sauna humidity can reach high levels during periods when water is poured onto heated rocks. Standard household LED products are generally engineered to operate at much lower temperatures than saunas provide; consequently, most household LED products can either flicker or change color within months when placed within a sauna. Additionally, heat builds up close to the ceilings of saunas. Fixtures that are installed at this location are subjected to the highest temperatures present in the hot room.
To address the issues described previously, sauna lighting manufacturers cite similar minimum requirements: the ability to function continuously under high-heat conditions, protection from moisture exposure, low-voltage operation, and placement of transformers and switches outside the hot room. Moisture resistance is often referenced using IP ratings (two-digit codes describing protection from solid objects and liquids). For example, an IP65-rated fixture is dustproof and resistant to water jets.
Types of Sauna Lighting: Vapor-Proof, LED, and Fiber Optic
Vapor-proof fixtures. The traditional sauna wall light is a sealed vapor-proof fixture, typically consisting of a gasket-sealed glass globe. This prevents moisture from reaching the electrical connections.
Low-voltage LED lighting. LED fixtures operate at 12 or 24 volts DC and are powered by a low-voltage transformer located outside the hot room. Low-voltage LED lighting is now available in color-changing varieties.
Fiber optic lighting. An optical-fiber system consists of a light source (called an illuminator) that sits outside the sauna cabin. Light is transmitted into the cabin via optical fibers. Due to this configuration, all electrical components remain outside the sauna cabin; thus, none of them are ever subject to the heat and moisture inherent in a sauna environment.
Sauna Light Color: Warm White and Color-Changing LEDs
The degree of "warmth" present in white light is determined by measuring it in Kelvin (K); lower values indicate warmer tones of white light. For example, candlelight measures around 1900K, while daylight measures approximately 5600K. When selecting a sauna light source, manufacturers typically recommend warm white light sources having a color temperature in the range of 2200K to 3000K. These recommendations complement wood species commonly used for sauna construction materials (such as cedar, hemlock, and aspen) and align with expectations regarding the low-light level preferences of most users. Light having higher color temperatures (> 4000K) is often characterized as cold-colored or clinical-toned.
Many modern models also offer color-changing options for lighting. Many fixtures contain three color-emitting diodes (red, green, and blue), while RGBW models contain four diodes (the fourth emits white light). Depending on the model, users can vary between colors or stay on a single color. Some manufacturers have created brand names for this option; we refer to it here as color-changing lighting.
What Is a Himalayan Salt Panel in a Sauna?
Some manufacturers' premium sauna models come equipped with a backlit Himalayan Salt panel, which is a panel that’s made from Himalayan salt embedded into the wall of the sauna cabin that glows warmly due to backlighting. Ridgecrest considers this feature purely decorative. No claims are made concerning its effects on air quality or the body. If you appreciate the visual appearance of a Himalayan Salt panel, it could represent an interesting element to create an atmosphere in your sauna cabin.
Sauna Lighting and Health Claims
Customers naturally ask whether sauna lighting has any effect on the body, since many vendors market lighting in health terms. Ridgecrest makes no claims about the effect of any sauna lighting feature on the body. Some vendors publish charts linking lighting colors to effects on the body; you won’t find those charts on Ridgecrest.com.
Lighting and heating are separate systems in a sauna: the lighting illuminates the room and the heaters warm you, so changing the color of the light has no effect on how the sauna heats you. If you are considering any light-based treatment for a health reason, talk with your physician before starting.
Practical Considerations - Choosing Sauna Lighting: Questions to Ask
When comparing models, a few questions will tell you most of what you need to know about the lighting:
- What type(s) of lighting does the cabin use? Where are the fixtures located?
- Are there color-changing settings available? Can I dim the light?
- Where is my light switch located? Are there other controls for adjusting brightness or color?
- What replacement parts does the manufacturer specify?
Treat lighting as a comfort and atmosphere feature, and weigh it alongside the factors that matter most to long-term satisfaction, such as heater type, cabin size, and electrical requirements.
Health & Safety
Heat and cold exposure can place significant stress on the body and may not be appropriate for everyone. Before beginning sauna use, cold water immersion, alternating heat and cold exposure, or another heat- or cold-exposure practice, consult a qualified healthcare provider if you have a medical condition, take medications that may affect your response to heat or cold, are pregnant, or have questions about whether these activities are appropriate for you. Always follow the product manufacturer's safety instructions and warnings.
Do not utilize an infrared sauna if you do not feel heat-related pain as you normally would, and do not expose your skin directly to infrared radiation within 24 hours of significant exposure to direct sunlight.
Sauna Lighting Installation Readiness
The sauna lighting is part of the cabin's electrical system, which is why it needs to be planned out similarly to the heater. The transformers and light switches need to be located outside the hot room. Any electrical work associated with sauna lighting should also be done by a licensed electrician. There is variation in manufacturer documentation regarding GFCI requirements.
Ultimately, local electrical codes are going to determine whether GFCI protection is required. Your electrician can help make this decision. Replace any failed fixtures only with replacement parts designated by the original equipment manufacturer. A standard household fixture may not withstand the conditions within the hot room. Ridgecrest Installation Readiness™ walks through the necessary steps for electrical planning for the sauna lighting on each model.
Sauna Lighting Technologies: Summary
The primary function of sauna lighting is practical, providing you with visibility when using the sauna. It also serves a secondary function, creating ambiance. To provide both functions in a very warm and humid environment requires specialized lighting designed specifically for that environment.
This includes, but is not limited to, sealed vapor-proof lights and low-voltage LED lights with transformers installed outside of the hot room. Fiber optic systems offer an alternative option where there are no electronic components within the sauna. In addition to these options, the selection of sauna lighting is completely based upon individual preferences. Traditional choices include warm white lighting. Color-changing lighting offers increased flexibility, and a salt panel can add a unique feature to your sauna.
Ready to compare lighting across models? Schedule a pre-purchase consultation with Ridgecrest Guide Service™.
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