Gas Heaters vs. All The Rest

The first known Finnish saunas are thought to be used as early at the 5th century. These saunas were heated with rocks placed in a wood fire. The smoke from the fire engulfed the room to warm the air in the sauna then bathers would let the smoke out and sit in the sauna to enjoy the heat. Although the sought-after sauna experience for bathers has not changed since the 5th century, technology has greatly changed the method in which saunas are built and heated.

Woodstoves, electric, infrared and gas heaters are the four primary ways to heat today’s sauna. With a woodstove heater, bathers are required to continually add wood or another fuel source to keep the desired temperature. Fire risks are greatest with woodstoves as is pollution from the burning of natural resources. On the opposite side of the spectrum are the infrared sauna heaters which heat the bather inside the room giving bathers an overall lower temperature and an altered sauna experience. In fact, infrared cabins are not considered “sauna bath” and they are not endorsed by the Finnish Sauna Society or International Sauna Society.

Electric heaters give much of the same benefits as a gas heater does. They eliminate pollution and easily maintain a constant temperature. Gas heaters however do not have an element as the electric heaters do that are costly to replace if they ever go out. Electric heaters can also cost up to 50% more to operate and do not have as long of life time value as gas heaters.

The Ultra-Sauna Gas heater, formerly known as Vico, goes a step further in the design to add more benefits. Manufactured by Scandia Manufacturing, this heater is made entirely of stainless steel to eliminate concerns of corrosion and rust. The combustion chamber of the Ultra-Sauna is made of heavy gauge 321 stainless steel which is the same material used in jet afterburners. The Ultra Sauna Gas Heater is a completely sealed combustion heater with no gas or flue connections made inside the actual sauna therefore the threat of oxygen depletion or flue products leaking into the sauna are eliminated. This type of heater is also ideal for rooms with little ventilation. For more information on this heater, please visit our website at www.scandiamfg.com or call us at 1-877-467-2862.

Why LEED credits matter to you

The US Department of Energy estimates that business buildings consume 74% of the electricity produced each year. That’s a shocking figure but where is really matters to building owners and operators is the money spent to use that amount of energy. And it is the common goal for both the United States government and building owners to reduce that statistic as much as possible.

In 1993, David Gottfried and Rick Fedrizzi founded the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) which is a non-profit trade organization that promotes awareness of energy efficient building design and operations. The USGBC is best known for their development of the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) standards. The LEED standards started out as one standard in 1994 to grew to a comprehensive system of six interrelated standards covering all areas of development, constructions and remodeling processes.

The LEED standard is catching on for both government agencies and private sector building owners. Many municipal power companies are offering building operators incentives for qualifying for LEED points. One power company in California even has goes so far as to offer cash rebates. That’s a great motivator for building owners to move to more energy efficient development and remodeling.

Am-Finn Sauna and Steam has also embraced the movement to follow LEED standards. In 2006 Am-Finn introduced the industry’s first Advanced Hybrid Steam Room. This new steam room is 50% more energy efficient than standard tile steam rooms and includes a self cleaning system that reduces maintenance costs. The Advanced Hybrid Steam Room provides LEED credits for water efficiency, energy performance, low-emitting materials and indoor chemical and pollutant source control.

In 2008, Am-Finn continued its strong commitment of developing r energy efficient products and introduced to market the industry’s first Eco-Sauna. The Eco-Sauna reduces the use of new-growth wood by 70% while still being an authentic cedar sauna. The LEED credits provided by the Eco-Sauna are for recycled content, rapidly renewable materials and low-emitting materials.

So if you are an architect designing a new building or a current gym owner looking to remodel an existing building with more energy efficient materials, you need to check out Am-Finn’s products that give you beauty and energy efficiency in all of its products. You can find more information on the Advanced Hybrid Steam Room and the Eco-Sauna on our website: www.am-finn.com or call us at 1-800-237-2862.

Why the Sauna

The sauna is not a new idea, of even an American idea. They have been around for thousands of years originating as a simple dirt hole in the ground to evolving into some pretty technically advanced models.
But why? Why would anyone possibly want to sit in a room that averages 160 degrees to 180 degrees? There has got to be some kind of benefit!
And low and behold, here are some of the benefits we found doing a little research.
• Stress Reliever: The sauna represents a quite area away from everyday life that uses the intense heat to immediately relax the body and active that body’s natural release of endorphins.
• Reduce Aches and Pains: As your body temperature rises, your blood vessels start to dilate and blood flow increases to help the body’s natural healing process. Even after an intense workout, spending a few minutes in a Sauna will help the body relax and remove the buildup of lactic acid.
• Toxins are Flushed Away: We have already established that the blood vessels expand in a sauna which increases blood flow. When the body starts to sweat in an attempt to cool its self down, bacteria from the epidermal later rises and is flushed out of the body.
• Reach the Ever Coveted REM Sleep: Some research that has been posted states that when your body temperature rises in the late evening, it will fall at night to endues a deeper sleep.
• Enhance Cardiovascular Performance: When your core body temperature rises, your heart rate also increases. This is true for both cardiovascular type workouts and sitting in a sauna. When you commit to regular sauna sessions, your heart and cardiovascular system will become efficient at reacting to the increase temperature and circulation.
• Elevate Calorie Output: We not promoting weight loss in any way here. With that being said, as the body begins to work harder to increase circulation and dilate the blood vessels, the body’s metabolism naturally increases during that time to provide energy to the body. One can make an argument that actual weight is lost during a sauna session, but it can simply be added back on by re-hydrating after exiting the sauna.
• Combat Illness : When your body temperature rises about the natural level of 98.7 degrees, the body’s reaction is to ramp up on white blood cell production. The increased presence of white blood cells will help fight off illnesses such as the common cold and viruses. The heat of the sauna also helps to open up clogged sinuses and relieve built up pressure.
• Overall Wellness: Saunas do wonderful things for your body to promote health, both physical and mental. In a busy world where multi tasking is the norm and daily demands can be overwhelming, it’s nice to shut the world out for a few moments in a sauna and reap all its benefits!

Free Long Term Sauna Room Care Tips

I know not to long ago we posted a blog about Sauna care tips, but I wanted to add the long term care tips as well. Hope that prove to be useful and help out your Sauna!

RECOMMENDED SAUNA REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE
A durable sauna begins with a quality product and is sustained by a sound maintenance program. If you follow the recommended cleaning, inspection and rehabilitation steps outlined here, then your saunas will last longer.

Repair and replacement needs are easy to assess. Most of the work can be accomplished by your maintenance staff. If not, reputable carpenters and electricians are your best source for help.

SAUNA BENCHES/FLOORING: 3-5 Years
• Check frequently for broken or loose slats and fasteners. Sand out stains with a flat block sander.
• Clean benches, walls and floor with mild soap (such as Ivory liquid or equivalent). DO NOT use a cleanser any stronger than soap. Sponge on the soapy water and sponge it off.
• DO NOT use a water hose on the wood
.
SAUNA HEATER
• Retain a licensed and insured electrician to check frequently for shorts, loose or frayed wires, burned out heating elements, properly functioning high limit switch or thermostat, etc. The heaters used by Am-Finn Sauna are stainless steel and carry a 10-year warranty on the shell. We expect the heater to function well past 10 years. Usage and maintenance are the biggest factors in longevity.
• Clean rocks frequently and check the rock container for loose debris. Immediately remove any broken rocks so they do not form a grit and damage the pan. The heater’s safety guard fence in good and sturdy repair according to U.L. installation instructions.
Sauna Room: 10-15 Years
Commercial saunas that are subject to high usage should be replaced or completely refurbished every 10-15 years. A sound maintenance program and periodic replacement of benches and flooring can lengthen this interval.

If you have any questions or comments about these guide lines, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-237-2862 or visit our website is www.am-finn.com

Am-Finn Sauna & Steam is Awarded Women Business Enterprise Status

Boise, April 26th, 2010 – Am-Finn Sauna & Steam, an Idaho-based sauna and steam room manufacturer, announced that they have been awarded Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) status by the National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC). In order to be certified, the woman business owner must be a U.S. citizen and actively involved in the daily management of her business. In addition, the business must serve a useful business function.
According to the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), women's business enterprises are expanding in size faster than the overall economy and becoming an increasingly significant presence in all industries. In a survey conducted by WBENC and released in November 2001, corporate spending with women's business enterprises is also increasing at a faster rate than spending with suppliers overall.
Am-Finn business owner Beatriz von Ungern-Sternberg states "We are excited to have “officially” become a certified woman owned business enterprise. We look forward to the new opportunities that this certification can bring us”.
To become WBE certified, Mrs. Von Ungern-Sternberg met stringent criteria for expertise, financial performance and commitment. In addition to an extensive review of corporate documents, NWBOC also conducted a detailed interview and completed an on-site visit to the company.
Beatriz von Ungern-Sternberg purchased Am-Finn Sauna Company in 2005 and is actively involved in the company's growth and development. The company provides the industries most innovative and top of the line saunas and steam rooms for the health club and hospitality industries.
About Am-Finn Sauna & Steam
Since 1962, Am-Finn has provided design-build and renovation services to health clubs, hotels and recreation facilities around the world. Am-Finn is a preferred vendor for World Gym, LA Fitness, Gold’s Gym International, Bally’s Total Fitness and Jewish Community Centers. For more information, please visit www.am-finn.com or call 800-237-2862.

Going to a Hybrid Steam Room

Hybrid Steam Rooms
It is human nature to solve problems. Although the problem with steam rooms may not affect the average persons daily life, it does however affect those people who bath in steam rooms or run/maintain facilities with steam rooms. Hybrid steam rooms are
a new material design approach that takes advantage of advance plastics construction that reduce porous surface area by over 90% and also incorporate new cleaning technologies that practically eliminate the need for daily chemicals and scrubbing.
The new hybrid steam rooms are brilliant white - sterile steam room environments that stay fresh and clean all day and allieve health or sanitary concerns. Gone is the need for re-grouting every 2-3 years and retiling every 5-7 years. Hybrid steam rooms are practically maintenance-free and remain fresh,clean and sterile with only once-a-week cleaning with mild (organic) soap and water. Hybrid steam rooms do not require traditionally large boilers, they heat up within five minutes and
use 30-50% less energy than traditional tile rooms. Because of their rapid heat-time and superior heat retention, many clubs opt to eliminate their 24 hour timers and switch to 60 minute timers. Therefore, the steam room only runs when members are present thus decreasing energy costs by up to 60%.

Conversion Case Study
Typical Tile Room
Boise Idaho - The West YMCA and Aquatic Center located in Boise Idaho was build in 1996. A state of the art YMCA with three swimming pools and all of the expected services of a contemporary YMCA; child care, basketball, racquetball, rock climbing, children’s and adult locker rooms… including sauna and steam rooms. Within seven years the steam rooms were literally falling apart. According to Scott Apple, Facility Director “we were doing everything we could to keep the rooms together”.
Adding further, “no matter what we did, we could not stop member complaints… the rooms were basically nasty”. According to Alfonso Castaneda, long time YMCA member “there was a large group of us that would voice our concerns to the Y on a weekly basis urging them to fix the steam room”. According to Apple, they had to move quickly as the room was leaking and the moisture was seeping into the walls and the floor. “It got to the point where the moisture was threatening the integrity of our floors and walls” claims Apple. In 2005, Apple contacted Am-Finn Sauna & Steam, a
preferred vendor for the YMCA for over 12 years, to solve the problem. The solution was to convert the traditional tile room to a new Hybrid steam room. In the summer of 2006, full conversion of both men’s and women’s steam rooms and (sauna renovations) were completed in one week.
Step 1
Removal of benches and expand door entry way to a 6ft wide by 7ft high rough opening.
Step 2
Construction of Hybrid Steam Room inside existing steam room.
Step 3
Insertion of the full glass door frame assembly with vision panel
Step 4
Sealing of panel seams and base seam.
Step 5
Exterior finish to blend with sauna creating a beautiful custom look.

Steam Room Conversion

from Tile to Today (Hybrid Construction)Over the years, the YMCA had evolved into a complete offerings facility. Originally, the YMCA was established to be a place for young men to play sports, learn life skills and study the bible. However, in the 1950s, YMCAs began to grow in numbers and
in services, quickly becoming a recreation destination for the whole family. For most communities around the country, the YMCA was the only place where families could go to swim, play a wide variety of sports and attend numerous forms of classes such as art, science and social skills. Across the country, YMCAs were very success full in both raising funds and attracting memberships.As a result, YMCAs adopted a standard facility design model that included an unparalleled range of facilities thus becoming the ultimate family destination. Part of this design included saunas and steam rooms.
Sauna and Steam - a necessary evil.
Steam rooms and saunas have a long history in Europe and Asia, it is estimated 25% of homes in Northern Europe have saunas or steambaths. Historically uncommon in the United States, the YMCA is the first organization to bring the benefits of Saunas and
Steam baths to the general public. Today, the public expects, when going to a YMCA, to find a sauna and steam bath in the facility. In the early years, it was primarily the older male generation who systematically bathed in the saunas and steam rooms.
However, today we find people of all ages and genders that require sauna and steam bathing as part of their weekly regiment. According to Bud Herman, Facilities Maintenance Director for six YMCA’s in Philadelphia PA “its ok if we close down the
racquet ball court or the pool for a week, the members can handle it. However when the sauna goes down or the steam room is not clean some members get very aggitated”. As noted at the YMCA national maintenance conference in Las Vegas, July 2007,
steam rooms are one of the most problematic areas of the facility to keep clean and maintain.

Tile Rooms = Problems
Traditional steam rooms use tile construction primarily because there were no other material alternatives. All forms of tile are porous to varying degrees, combined with grout, the overall steam room interior surface is a rough and semi-permeable surface. In most scenarios, such as swimming pools and locker room floors, tile is an acceptable material option mainly due to the chemicals present (chlorine)or acceptable cleaning chemicals used in the evening. Steam rooms, by contrast, are enclosed rooms (no ventilation) that maintain a consistent warm (105F to 110F) and wet environment. These conditions combined with heavy human traffic create the ideal environment for mold, mildew, bacteria to flourish. Additionally,these conditions are ideal for the preservation and transmission of human elements such as
viruses and human related bacteria such as Staphylococcus which can survive in temperatures of up to 140 deg F. (making saunas (180 deg F) more sterile). Maintenance managers, Facility Directors and members do not need statistical or scientific data to prove the health concerns of their steam room… one step inside a traditional tile room and the musty smell is an immediate indicator of the rooms condition.

Stay tuned for how to fixed these issues!