Repositioning And Replacing Of Rocks; First Heating Time; Warming Up Of Sauna Room For Bathing; Throwing Water On Heated Stones - Harvia AV-4 Instructions For Installation Manual

1.4.1. Repositioning and Replacing of Rocks

It is recommended that the rocks be repositioned every
time the rock level has stopped descending or no less
than once a year. Depending on the frequency of use,
the rocks should be replaced with new ones at intervals
of every 2–3 years. When repositioning or replacing
the rocks , the small pieces of rock should be removed
from the bottom of the heater and the rocks that have
become 'soft' should be replaced. The heater should
be warmed up to remove moisture from the new rocks.
See Point 1.5 "First Heating Time".

1.5. First Heating Time

The heater should be warmed up for the first time at full
capacity (heater power + standby power) with the lid and
the air circulation valve fully open. When the heater is
warmed up for the first time, both the heater and the rocks
will emit odours. To remove the odours, the sauna room
should be fully ventilated.
The same procedure should be performed every time rocks
are added to the heater or they are replaced.
The heater is warmed up at full capacity for 2–3 hours
depending on the heater power (approx. 2 h AV6, approx.
3 h AV4). When warming up the heater for the first time, it
should be noted that the timer only keeps the heater power
on for about one hour at a time. By turning the timer, the
number of hours can be increased so that the time required
for the first heating period, recommended by the
manufacturer, is reached. The heater should not cool too
much during the first heating period. The heater lid should
be closed about fifteen minutes after the timer has returned
to zero after the termination of the heating period.
After this, the standby power (250 W) will remain
switched on permanently.
The heater produces ideal bathing conditions only after
about 24 hours, when the temperature of the stone space
has evened out.

1.6. Warming Up of Sauna Room for Bathing

After the first heating time, the stones will continuously
be ready for bathing. However, it takes about ten
minutes to raise the temperature of a well heatinsu-
lated sauna room (see Point 2.1 "Sauna Room
Insulation and Wall Materials") to the level suitable
for bathing, depending on the heating characteristics
of the sauna room. You can start bathing without any
major preparations when the temperature has risen to
about +55°C.
When both the lid (1) and the air circulation valve (4)
are open, the hot air that has circulated between the
hot stones (approx. +310 °C) and the heating resistors
begins to warm up the sauna room. To ensure that the
heat energy stored by the standby power remains in
the stones despite the cooling effect of the air flow
and the water thrown on the stones, the heater power
should be switched on by the timer (5) and it should be
kept on while bathing. The heater power can be kept
switched on by the timer up to one hour. See Figure 1.
While bathing, the air flow is controlled by means of
the air circulation valve regulator (4). The regulator adjusts
the position of the valve located underneath the stone
space. In the beginning, the regulator should be kept
fully open. If the temperature tends to rise unnecessarily
high, the rising of the temperature can be slowed down
by turning the air circulation valve counter-clockwise. By
experimenting, you will find a valve position which keeps
the sauna room temperature reasonably stable.

1.7. Throwing Water on Heated Stones

When the sauna room air warms up, it becomes dry
and, therefore, it is necessary to throw water on the
hot rocks.
When the sauna room's basic temperature is +50–
60 °C, you can start bathing. If the basic temperature
is very low, the cold, solid wall surfaces become wet.
The bather should throw water on the rocks with a
small ladle (approx. 2 dl). The frequency will depend
on the effect of the increasing humidity on the bather's
skin. Humid air is easy to breath and the skin begins to
sweat. Both too high a temperature and air humidity
will give an unpleasant feeling.
The maximum volume of the ladle is 2 decilitres. The
amount of water thrown on the rocks at a time should
not exceed 2 dl, because if an excessive amount of
water is poured on the rocks, only part of it will
evaporate and the rest may splash as boiling hot water
on the bathers.
Never throw water on the rocks when there are
people near the heater, because hot steam may burn
their skin.
Staying in the hot sauna for long periods of time makes
the body temperature rise, which may be dangerous.

1.7.1. Sauna Water

The water to be thrown on the heated rocks should
meet the requirements of clean household water. The
factors essentially affecting the quality of water include
the following:
humuos content (colour, taste, precipitates);
•
recommended content less than 12 mg/litre.
iron content (colour, smell, taste, precipitates);
•
recommended content less than 0,2 mg/litre.
hardness – the most important substances are
•
manganese (Mn) and calcium (Ca);
recommended content of manganese 0,05 mg/
•
litre, calcium less than 100 mg/litre.
Calcareous water leaves a white, sticky layer on the
rocks and metal surfaces of the heater. Calcification
of the rocks deteriorates the heating properties.
Ferrous water leaves a rusty layer on the surface of
the heater and elements, and causes corrosion.
The use of humous, chlorinated water and seawater
is forbidden.
Only special perfumes designed for sauna water may
be used. Follow the instructions given on the package.

1.7.2. Temperature and Humidity of the Sauna Room

Both thermometers and hygrometers suitable for use
in a sauna are available. As the effect of steam on
people varies, it is impossible to give an exact,
universally applicable bathing temperature or
percentage of moisture. The bather's own comfort is
the best guide.
The sauna room should be equipped with proper
ventilation to guarantee that the air is rich in oxygen
and easy to breathe. See item 2.4. "Ventilation of the
Sauna Room".
Bathing in a sauna is considered a refreshing
experience and good for the health. Bathing cleans and
warms your body, relaxes the muscles, soothes and
alleviates oppression. As a quiet place, the sauna
offers the opportunity to meditate.
5.