National Saunas use Far Infrared energy to penetrate the body's tissue to a depth of up to 2 1/2". Tests have shown that the energy output is tuned so closely to the body's own radiant energy that our bodies absorb as much as 93% of the infrared waves that reach our skin.

By comparison, conventional saunas must rely only on indirect means of heat: first, on convection (air currents) and then, conduction (direct contact of hot air with the skin) to produce its heating effect. The National Saunas operates at temperatures of 110 to 130 F versus 180 to 234 F for hot-air saunas. Since conventional saunas require 30 to 90 minutes of warm-up before use, electricity costs are reported to be a lot higher than those of National Saunas which are ready to use in 10 to 20 minutes.

Infrared saunas produce heat using a ceramic heater, which does not turn red hot but instead produces invisible, infrared heat. This is the same type of heat as produced by the sun and our bodies. Infrared heat is very safe and not at all like the heat produced by microwaves. In an infrared sauna, only 25 percent of the energy is used to heat the air, leaving the rest of the energy to heat the body. The radiant heat can penetrate the skin to a depth of 1 to 1 1/2 inches, producing a gentle warming inside the body. The temperature inside an infrared sauna is adjustable and averages a comfortable 100 °F to 140 °F This allows a person to sweat faster and to tolerate a longer period of time inside the sauna, allowing for the therapeutic effects to occur. Typical sessions last 20 to 45 minutes and can be repeated once or twice during the day to maximize the benefits. Infrared saunas leave you feeling invigorated, not depleted like conventional saunas.