Comments by Bob Morgan from Heavenly Heat Saunas:

FIR1, FIR2 and FIR3 are infrared-only sauna models. They are 1, 2 and 3-person respectively. They look more like other infrared sauna cabins, with heaters on the back, under the bench and on the front. They have a common set of options - air ventilation, stereo speakers, etc.

In our FIR models, we create airflow channels around several of the in-wall heaters to create an automatic air change. Most FIR saunas don’t change the air well so some resort to ceiling fans to accomplish it. But, you want a constant incoming stream of newly warmed fresh air, not simply a sudden expulsion of air which tends to remove hot air from the very uppermost portion of the sauna. The skin releases toxins in a gaseous state and air that has become contaminated is heavier than clean air. The sauna’s venting system should lift this air so it can exit the sauna on a regular basis. Since most FIR units don’t do this, and there is no fan, the user may resort to using the door as a fan.

However, there are two design features that caught my attention. First are the heaters on the side panels of FIR1 and FIR2 models. In FIR1 you get heated not only from back and front but by sides too, improving sauna efficiency.

There are 7 heaters in this model so the entire body is covered: 4 at the upper body, 3 at the legs.

In FIR2, infrared heater on one side panel allows to lie on the bench if you’re using the sauna cabin alone and still get your back heated.

We realized that in most 2-person FIR saunas, if you lean against the end wall to stretch out, your sweat rate will drop off substantially from the reduced IR exposure. So, we fixed that.

The other thing is that FIR1-3 models can have near-infrared lamps installed on the ceiling. These lamp are similar to those Dr. Lawrence Wilson suggests to use in his homemade infrared sauna. They are adding some red and near-infrared light, which should add heating intensity and change sauna experience in some way.

We include a red IR lamp in the FIR 1 and they are optional in the FIR 2 & 3. This is positioned to mostly hit the chest when seated, or the body when reclined in the 3-person. You can add 3 into the 3-person. This does add some IR intensity and may enhance detox.

Heavenly Heat Saunas left me with overall good impression. Level of self-promotion in the descriptions of their sauna models is lower than on other infrared sauna sites and all texts are written clear and understandable. I read some good responses on Heavenly Heat Saunas on several internet discussion groups. However, most of this applies to combined (infrared+stove) models. Their infrared-only models look similar to other models present on the market.

Appearances don’t tell the story. Our FIR units are: larger than most, change the air better than most, use more heaters than most, include unique control of infrared intensity in all saunas (an invaluable safety feature for beginners), and are built in a superior fashion to most. By looking at a photo of a sauna, you cannot perceive: the extent of wood-gluing, the concealment of plywood, the use of laminates, the use of plastic windows, the varnishing of the exterior, or the electro-magnetic fields of the heaters. Use of a low-resin or “hypoallergenic” wood is only the starting point in creating clean-air, safe detox saunas. We build saunas to assure safety and have for 17 years!

Bob