Plunge Infrared Sauna — Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you want to know before you buy — and answers you’ll come back to once you do.

Getting Started

How long does assembly take?

Most customers complete assembly in 1 hour with three people. Three people are recommended for the larger panel lifts. The process is straightforward with no specialized tools — a Phillips screwdriver, a level, a step stool, and an included hex key handle everything.

How long does the sauna take to heat up?

Typically 20–60 minutes, depending on your model, the ambient temperature of the room, and desired set temperature. For best results, close all three vents during heat-up to retain warmth in the cabin.

Do I need to do anything before my first session?

Yes — we recommend running one or two full heat cycles at maximum temperature for 90 minutes with the vents open and no one inside before your first session. This clears any residual new-product dust from the heating elements and wood, and confirms everything is functioning correctly.

Can I move the sauna after it’s built?

The sauna needs to be leveled and positioned before assembly begins — once it’s fully built, it’s not designed to be moved without disassembly. Choose your final location before you start and confirm it has access to the right electrical outlet.

Using Your Sauna

How long should my sessions be?

If you’re new to infrared sauna, start shorter — 10–20 minutes at a lower temperature — and work your way up as your body adjusts over the first few sessions. Listen to your body and exit anytime you feel lightheaded or uncomfortable.

How often can I use it?

Daily use is safe for most healthy adults. Many people settle into a routine of 4–5 sessions per week. If you’re new, 2–3 times per week to start gives your body time to adapt.

What temperature should I use?

Maximum temperatures vary by model: 175°F for the 3-Person and 2-Person 240V, 160°F for the 2-Person 120V. Most people find 130–160°F comfortable for regular sessions. You don’t need to push to maximum to get a great sweat — infrared works at lower temperatures than traditional saunas because the heat is absorbed directly by the body.

What should I wear?

As little as is comfortable for you. A swimsuit or light shorts are common choices. Going without clothing maximizes your skin’s exposure to infrared energy. Whatever you choose, a towel on the bench is always a good idea.

Should I use the sauna before or after a workout?

Both work, and the choice depends on your goal. Post-workout is more popular — the heat supports muscle recovery and helps the body unwind after exertion. Pre-workout can serve as a warm-up and loosen tight muscles, but keep the session shorter (10–15 minutes) and stay well hydrated. Avoid long pre-workout sessions if you plan to do anything high-intensity immediately after.

What do the vents do, and when should I use them?

The three vents control airflow inside the cabin. Close them during heat-up to retain warmth and reach temperature faster. Once you’re inside, open the vents to maintain fresh air circulation and keep CO₂ levels comfortable. For contrast therapy sessions where you’re entering wet, opening all vents early helps manage humidity.

Can I use the sauna in a contrast therapy routine with a cold plunge?

Absolutely — that’s one of the most popular ways to use a Plunge sauna. The general approach is to alternate between heat and cold: a sauna session followed by a cold plunge, repeated for multiple rounds. How you structure the rounds depends on your goals and tolerance. Start with shorter rounds and work up. If you’re entering the sauna wet from the plunge, towel off at the door to protect the wood and keep the cabin cleaner between sessions.

Can I bring my phone or a tablet inside?

No. Cabin temperatures well exceed the safe operating range for most consumer electronics, and sustained heat exposure can permanently reduce battery capacity, cause screen damage, and trigger automatic shutdowns. Your sauna includes a phone holder that can be mounted on the exterior wall, positioned so your screen is fully visible through the glass from inside. Pair to Bluetooth before you step in and enjoy your music without your phone ever entering the cabin.

How do I connect to Bluetooth?

Power on the sauna, open your phone’s Bluetooth settings, and look for a device named SaunaAudio followed by a three-digit number. Tap to pair. If nothing appears, check that no other device is currently connected — the sauna holds one Bluetooth connection at a time and won’t show as available while another device is paired.

Setup & Installation

What kind of electrical outlet do I need?

Requirements vary by model:

• 3-Person: 240V, 20A dedicated circuit, NEMA 6-20 outlet
• 2-Person 240V: 240V, 20A dedicated circuit, NEMA 6-20 outlet
• 2-Person 120V: 120V, 20A dedicated circuit, NEMA 5-20 outlet

The circuit must be dedicated — the sauna cannot share a breaker with other appliances. If you don’t already have the right outlet, a licensed electrician can install one.

Does the 2-Person 120V model require an electrician to install?

Not necessarily. The 2-Person 120V plugs into a standard household outlet, but it does require a NEMA 5-20 outlet rated for 20 amps — not the standard 15-amp outlets found in most rooms. If you already have a 20-amp outlet available (common in kitchens, laundry rooms, and garages), you’re good to go. If not, a licensed electrician can install the right outlet quickly and affordably. Either way, the circuit must be dedicated — no other appliances sharing the same breaker.

Can I install the sauna outdoors?

The Plunge infrared sauna is designed for indoor use only. Outdoor installation voids the warranty and exposes the electronics, wood, and glass to moisture, UV, and temperature extremes they aren’t built to handle.

How is the sauna shipped?

Your sauna arrives in a vertical wood crate containing five individual cartons. Two of those cartons are the glass panels, which are packaged separately to keep them protected during transit. We recommend having two or more people available when the crate arrives to help unload and move the panels — the glass cartons in particular are heavy and awkward to handle alone. Before signing for delivery, do a quick visual inspection of the crate for any signs of damage.

What kind of flooring can I install it on?

The sauna can be installed on hardwood, tile, concrete, or laminate. Carpet is not ideal — it can trap moisture underneath the unit and is harder to keep clean. If carpet is your only option, placing a rigid mat or protective board beneath the floor panel is recommended.

How much clearance does the sauna need?

The following clearances are required for proper ventilation and safe operation:

• Sides: 6 inches of clearance on all sides
• Above: 12 inches of clearance above the highest point of the sauna
• Door swing: 26.5 inches of clear space in front of the door

These clearances assume a climate-controlled indoor environment. If your sauna is in a space with elevated ambient temperatures — such as a contrast therapy studio, a gym with other heat-generating equipment, or an unconditioned room in a warm climate — additional clearance above the unit is strongly recommended. The control box on the roof vents heat upward, and a warm surrounding environment reduces its ability to do so effectively. When in doubt, give it more room.

Can I connect the sauna to the Plunge app?

Yes. The sauna connects to the Plunge app over your home Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz). From the app you can preheat remotely, set recurring schedules, adjust temperature and timer, control chromotherapy lighting, and check for firmware updates. Setup takes a few minutes — see the How to Connect Your Sauna to the Mobile App guide in the Help Center.

Can the sauna be customized for my business?

Yes. Business customers can add a custom glass nameplate to the sauna door featuring your business name or logo, making the sauna feel like a natural extension of your brand rather than an off-the-shelf product. It’s a small detail that goes a long way inside gyms, hotels, studios, spas, and recovery rooms. Reach out to our team to discuss options.

Health & Safety

Is an infrared sauna safe?

Infrared saunas are safe for most healthy adults. The heat source is the same type of radiant energy produced naturally by the sun and the human body — it has been used therapeutically for decades. As with any heat therapy, common-sense precautions apply: stay hydrated, don’t exceed comfortable session lengths, and exit the sauna if you feel unwell.

How much water should I drink?

Drink water before, during, and after your session. A general guideline is at least 16–24 oz before getting in, and continue sipping if your session runs longer than 30 minutes. Electrolytes can be helpful for longer or more intense sessions.

What are the signs I should exit the sauna?

Exit immediately if you experience dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, heart pounding, difficulty breathing, or a sudden feeling of chills despite being in the heat. These can be signs of overheating or dehydration. Sit or lie down outside the cabin, hydrate, and cool down before considering further activity. If symptoms are severe or persist, seek medical attention. Review the warning language on the right-side glass sticker.

Are there medical conditions that affect whether I can use an infrared sauna?

Certain conditions warrant a conversation with your doctor before use. These include cardiovascular conditions, low or high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and conditions requiring medication that affects heat response or hydration. Individuals with implanted medical devices such as pacemakers or cochlear implants should consult their specialist. When in doubt, check with your physician first — it’s a quick conversation that removes the guesswork.

Is the EMF level safe?

Yes. Our saunas are designed and validated against a 42-point EMF testing protocol using the industry-standard Trifield TF2 meter. The FIR heating panels average 0.74 mG at 1 inch and 0.50 mG at 6 inches — at or below typical household background EMF levels. Tower heaters measure higher at 6.9 mG at 6 inches, but this is still well below common household appliances. If tower heater EMF is a concern, you can let the sauna reach temperature and then unplug the tower heaters before your session — the FIR panels maintain heat independently.

Features & Specs

What is the wood made of?

The interior and exterior are Western Hemlock — a fine-grained, aromatic softwood well suited for sauna environments. Hemlock is dimensionally stable in heat and humidity cycles, naturally resistant to splintering, and has a pleasant, subtle natural scent.

What are the tower heaters, and how are they different from the wall panels?

The tower heaters are heaters positioned inside the cabin that combine infrared output with visible light bulbs. The FIR panels embedded in the walls, back wall, and calf area produce pure radiant far infrared heat. Together they deliver more complete coverage of the body from multiple angles and depths.

What is chromotherapy, and what colors does the sauna have?

Chromotherapy uses colored light to complement your sauna experience. Your sauna has eight modes: Off, and seven color settings — L1 (Cold Gradient: blue to purple), L2 (Hot Gradient: yellow, orange, red), L3 (Red), L4 (Orange), L5 (Yellow), L6 (Green), L7 (Blue), and L8 (Purple). To activate, press and hold the Chromotherapy button on the UI panel, then short-press to cycle through modes. It can also be controlled via the app.

How much does it cost to run?

Very little. Based on the US average electricity rate of ~$0.16/kWh, a 90-minute session costs approximately:

• 3-Person: ~$0.84 per session / ~$17–25 per month at regular use
• 2-Person 240V: ~$0.68 per session / ~$14–20 per month
• 2-Person 120V: ~$0.41 per session / ~$8–12 per month

Real-world usage is typically 15–25% lower than the maximum figures above, since the heaters cycle on and off once the cabin reaches temperature. Again though, costs depend on your local electricity rate.

Why does my sauna make cracking or popping sounds?

Completely normal. The cracking and ticking during heat-up is thermal expansion — the hemlock wood expanding as it warms, same as a wood floor or house frame on a cold night. The occasional quiet pop from the walls is the FIR panels’ built-in thermal cutoff switches cycling, which is a sign the safety systems are working correctly. Both sounds settle once the cabin reaches a stable temperature.

Red Light Therapy Panel

What is red light therapy?

Red light therapy (also called photobiomodulation) uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to interact with cells in the body. Unlike the far infrared heat from your sauna panels, red light therapy works through light energy absorbed by tissue rather than heat. It’s a separate and complementary modality to infrared sauna.

Do I need the red light panel, or is it optional?

It’s an optional add-on. Your sauna is fully functional and delivers a complete infrared sauna experience without it. The red light panel extends the sauna into combined infrared and photobiomodulation therapy for those who want both in one session.

What makes the Plunge red light panel different?

Most consumer red light panels offer two wavelengths. The Plunge panel delivers seven: 480, 630, 660, 810, 830, 850, and 1060 nm, spanning blue, red, and near-infrared ranges. It delivers over 200 mW/cm² irradiance at 3 inches, pulses NIR at 40 Hz, and allows independent dimming of blue, red, and near infrared wavelengths. It’s IP65 rated for the sauna environment and FDA registered as an LED therapy device.

Does the red light panel turn on automatically?

No — it requires manual activation each time the sauna is powered on. With the sauna on, press and hold the Accent and Chromotherapy buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds. You’ll hear a beep confirming the outlet is active. This is a built-in safety requirement.

Maintenance & Care

How do I clean the sauna?

A damp cloth is all you need for regular interior cleaning. Wipe down the bench, backrests, side rests, and floor after sessions — especially if entering wet from a cold plunge. For the glass, use a standard glass cleaner on the outside; water and a cloth only on the inside to avoid chemical residue in the cabin air. For the fabric covering the heater panels, a vacuum brush attachment or lint roller keeps dust off. Light sanding with fine-grit sandpaper removes perspiration stains from the wood. Never use bleach, chemical cleaners, or high-VOC sealants on any interior surface.

How often should I do deeper maintenance?

A vacuum of the floor and ceiling areas once a month keeps dust from building up. For commercial units with high traffic, a wipe-down after every session is essential. Check and tighten hinge bolts, handle bolts, and heater thumb screws periodically — high door-cycle volume can work these loose over time.

Troubleshooting

My sauna isn’t reaching the set temperature. What should I check?

Start with the vents — even one open vent during heat-up significantly reduces performance. Next, confirm all four tower heater bulbs are lit (two per tower). If a bulb is out, it reduces heat output. Run a touch test on the black fabric over each FIR panel zone after 5 minutes of runtime — a cool zone indicates a panel issue. Also check that the door seals are making full contact. If all of that looks good, see our Help Center article on this topic or contact Support.

My sauna keeps tripping the breaker. What’s happening?

The most common cause is a shared circuit. The sauna needs a dedicated 20A circuit — if it shares a breaker with any other appliance, you’ll get nuisance trips. Also confirm the outlet type matches your model (NEMA 5-20 for 120V, NEMA 6-20 for 240V). If the circuit is confirmed correct and isolated, contact Support — see our full Breaker Troubleshooting guide in the Help Center for a step-by-step diagnostic.

The display is showing an error code. What does it mean?

Full details are in the UI Error Codes guide in the Help Center.

My door isn’t closing properly.

Check that the magnetic strips are fully seated on the glass — press firmly along the full length from the bottom up. If the magnets are seated but the door still isn’t latching, the hinges may need minor adjustment. See the Glass Door Is Misaligned guide in the Help Center.

Where can I find more detailed troubleshooting?

Our Help Center covers every topic in detail — from individual heater panel replacement to firmware updates to Bluetooth connectivity. If you can’t find what you need there, our support team is available to help!