🏠 14 Occom Ridge · Hanover, NH

Home Sauna Research

A turnkey basement sauna for Ted & Melanie. Two paths compared — infrared vs. traditional — with the best-in-class candidates, prices, and local installers.

Infrared vs. Traditional

Two genuinely different experiences. Infrared warms the body directly at lower air temps; traditional (Finnish) heats the room with hot rocks for high heat and steam (löyly).

 InfraredTraditional (Finnish)
Heat feelGentle, ~120–150°F, deep-bodyIntense, 170–200°F, + steam
Warm-up10–15 min30–45 min
Steam / löylyNoYes (water on rocks)
Electrical240V dedicated line240V dedicated line
Melanie's criteriaLow-EMF models exist (Clearlight)Untreated wood + low-EMF heater ✔
Installed cost~$11k–$14k turnkey~$9k–$16k turnkey

Infrared — Best Candidates

Clearlight is the premium, low-EMF standard. Prices are 2026 delivered unit price (before install).

Top Pick Clearlight Sanctuary 3
Clearlight · Full Spectrum

Sanctuary 3

3-person full-spectrum (near/mid/far), low-EMF, lifetime warranty, app control. The sweet spot for a couple + guest.

  • Low-EMF
  • Mahogany/Basswood
  • Lifetime warranty
$8,099 mahogany · $7,699 basswood · delivered
Clearlight Sanctuary 2
Clearlight · Full Spectrum

Sanctuary 2

2-person full-spectrum. Compact footprint, same low-EMF heaters and warranty. Ideal if space is tight.

  • Low-EMF
  • 2-person
  • App control
$7,699 mahogany · $7,299 basswood · delivered
Clearlight Sanctuary Retreat
Clearlight · Full Spectrum

Sanctuary Retreat / C

4-person with lounge bench. Roomy if you want to stretch out or host. Larger footprint needed.

  • Low-EMF
  • 4-person
  • Lounge bench
$9,099–$9,799 basswood–mahogany · delivered

Traditional — Best Candidates

Melanie's #1 criterion: totally untreated, chemical-free wood (no glue, plywood, or stains that off-gas under heat). Two builders lead here.

Wood Pick Heavenly Heat sauna
Heavenly Heat

Chemical-Free Series

Built for the chemically sensitive: no glue, plywood, particleboard, or stains. Solid untreated basswood, poplar, or cedar. The purest wood on the market.

  • Zero chemicals
  • Untreated solid wood
  • MCS-safe
~$6,500–$11,000 by size · unit only
Finnleo traditional sauna
Finnleo (Tylö-Helo US)

Custom Cut / Halo

Top-tier Finnish builder. Clear, untreated Nordic wood; excellent build quality and wide US dealer support. Less absolutist than Heavenly Heat but beautifully made.

  • Untreated Nordic wood
  • Custom sizing
  • US-supported
~$7,000–$14,000 custom · unit only
Custom cedar sauna build
Local Custom Build

Untreated Cedar / Aspen

A carpenter framing with clear, kiln-dried untreated Western Red Cedar or Nordic Aspen gives full material control. Pair with a standalone premium heater below.

  • Full control
  • Aspen = low-odor
  • Fits any space
Varies quote from local builder

Low-EMF Electric Heaters

Hot-rock electric heaters are inherently low-EMF (simple resistive elements). These are the high-end names — the installer just keeps the controller/wiring away from the bench.

Heater Pick HUUM DROP heater
HUUM · Estonia

DROP / CLIFF

Gorgeous minimalist design, large stone capacity for soft steam, Wi-Fi + app control. The connoisseur's choice right now.

  • Low-EMF
  • App / Wi-Fi
  • Big rock volume
~$1,000–$2,200 + controller
IKI sauna heater
IKI · Finland

Pillar IKI

Massive rock volume, legendary steam quality, near-silent. The steam purist's heater.

  • Low-EMF
  • Huge stone mass
  • Best löyly
~$1,800–$3,200 + controller
Finnleo Himalaya heater
Finnleo · US

Himalaya + SaunaLogic

Rock-solid, US-supported, integrates cleanly with Finnleo rooms and their digital control. Easiest local service.

  • Low-EMF
  • US warranty
  • Integrated control
~$1,500–$2,800 + controller

Turnkey Budget

Basement install at 14 Occom Ridge. The electrician run (dedicated 240V) is the main variable for both types.

Infrared — Clearlight Sanctuary 3 (recommended)
Sanctuary 3 sauna (mahogany, delivered)~$8,100
Dedicated 240V/30A circuit + electrician$800–$1,800
Basement prep (level floor, moisture, outlet)$500–$1,500
White-glove delivery + assembly$500–$1,200
Contingency (access, stairs, permits)~$1,000
Total turnkey~$11,000–$14,000
Traditional — Heavenly Heat room + HUUM heater
Chemical-free sauna room (2–3 person)~$6,500–$9,000
HUUM DROP/CLIFF heater + controller$1,300–$2,600
Dedicated 240V circuit + electrician$800–$1,800
Basement prep + assembly$1,000–$2,500
Total turnkey~$9,600–$15,900

Contractors to Contact

Local-first: one vendor who sells, delivers, and installs is the genuine turnkey path.

★ Allen Pools & Spas — Lebanon, NH

VT/NH's oldest & largest sauna dealer. Showroom ~15 min away. Sells + delivers + installs. Start here.
allenpools-spas.com

Clearlight (direct)

Locks exact infrared model/price. Running an August combo (sauna + cold plunge, save $3,400).
infraredsauna.com

Heavenly Heat Saunas

Chemical-free traditional rooms — Melanie's untreated-wood pick.
heavenlyheatsaunas.com

Finn Sauna / NH Custom Saunas

Custom built-in enclosures & installs across NH. (603) 262-1724.
newhampshirecustomsaunas.com

HUUM (heater dealer)

Low-EMF, high-end Estonian heaters. Ask Allen Pools if they stock/install.
huum.us

Licensed electrician (local)

Dedicated 240V/30A circuit — Occom can pull Hanover-area names on request.