Frequently Asked Questions
We know how much thought goes into a purchase like one of our saunas. You'll find answers here to a wide range of topics in support of our goal to provide a streamlined, hands-off purchase experience.
If you want to get in touch with a member of our team or can't find what you're looking for, send us an email at info@harborsaunas.com and we'll get you the answers you need.
Getting Started
Yes, we would be happy to set up a consultation with you at any point in the process. We realize this is a large investment and our team is here to help you as much or as little as desired. Our team set out to create a sauna purchase experience that didn't require consultations or filling out inquiry forms, but we realize that's not for everyone.
Head to our Consultations page to set up a time to speak directly with our team.
Yes, we offer a select number of thoughtfully designed customization options to our sauna models.
Explore the customization integration, found directly on our product pages. Think carefully about where you want your sauna to be placed, existing structures on the property, and the surrounding environment. Our Site Prep Guide may be a helpful resource as you plan your build.
Note: at this time, only our Lighthouse Sauna is available for customization through our website. If you would like to customize our Iska Sauna, please contact our team.
After completing your order through our website, you will receive an order confirmation email containing resources and details on what to expect next.
Our team will then provide you with an ACH payment link. Production is initiated as soon as you submit your ACH payment to Harbor. You are welcome to complete the payment whenever you are ready, but failure to complete this step in a timely manner may result in delays with your sauna build.
Once your sauna heads into production, you can expect frequent communication from our team. We will ensure you have everything you need for site preparation and delivery, as well as answer any additional questions along the way.
Read Our Process to learn more.
Production is initiated as soon as you submit your ACH payment to Harbor. You are welcome to complete the payment whenever you are ready, but failure to complete this step in a timely manner may result in delays with your sauna build.
Lead times vary slightly based on order volume and the material selections in your sauna. Generally, we recommend allowing for anywhere from 8-12 weeks for your build to be completed, but it is possible that it can be completed in as a little as 6 weeks.
Opting for materials like our Knotted Select Cedar will provide a shorter build due to availability and ease of use in building. Materials such as our Thermally Modified Ash, for example, may require special ordering and involve a bit more precision in the build process. If you have questions about our lead times based your desired selections, please reach out to our team at info@harborsaunas.com.
Shipping within 625 miles of our manufacturing facility generally can be completed within one day, while further distances will require additional days. This will vary based on proximity to our manufacturing facility.
Product Specifications
This may vary depending on frequency of use as well as the climate and weather your sauna is exposed to. Our saunas are safely rated to last between 20-30 years, but we expect our builds will live well beyond this window. HUUM heaters typically last between 15-20 years before needing maintenance or replacement.
Our process and build quality varies greatly from mass produced kits you can purchase online. Using premium materials in our builds provides longevity to our saunas, as well as a highly elevated experience. While kit or barrel saunas have their place, our team focused on bringing saunas that felt high-end and custom in nature but were able to be designed and purchased easily online at a heavily reduced lead time.
Additionally, our saunas come fully assembled and are ready for use the same day as delivery, saving you time, stress, and effort that would be spent assembling a kit or hiring a contractor to complete one on your behalf.
Harbor also offers a complete 5 year warranty from the date of installation.
Our saunas are ventilated through a passive airflow system designed to keep fresh air moving. You will find a vent beneath the upper bench that works in conjunction with the airflow that enters through the floor.
We use ROCKWOOL insulation combined with a vapor barrier to ensure premium insulation, heat retention, and moisture resistance.
At this time, we are only using HUUM electric heaters in our sauna builds due to their ease of use compared to wood fired heaters. We wanted to provide a sauna experience that would be as easy to use as possible not only for yourself but any guests who may not be familiar with using a wood fired heater. We use HUUM heaters because not only do they provide a consistent, exceptional sauna experience, but they offer WiFi compatibility as well as the ability for higher temperatures due to regulations within the USA.
We source all our timber in the USA from several different suppliers locally and regionally that fit our quality standards.
One supplier we work with is Arbor Wood Co.
The timber we use on our sauna builds is FSC Certified, and sourced responsibly in the USA. We are able to ensure this by only sourcing from suppliers that source domestically from forests that are managed responsibly, partner with leading sustainability organizations, and lead reforestation efforts after the timber is harvested. You can read more here.
Shipping
Our team is able to ship our saunas seamlessly anywhere in the lower 48 states
Our team is able to provide shipping to Canada, but due to extra logistics associated with this process, our team is unable to fulfill these orders directly through our website. If you wish to place an order to Canada, please contact our team directly at info@harborsaunas.com for assistance.
At this time we are unfortunately unable to offer international shipping on our saunas. If desired, we are able to discuss the usage of third-party shipping providers that could coordinate the final shipment and customs steps, but this is not something we offer as a standard part of our process.
Shipping within 625 miles of our manufacturing facility generally can be completed within one day, while further distances will require additional days. This will vary based on proximity to our manufacturing facility. During the build process, our team will communicate with you directly to provide all necessary shipping details so you can prepare accordingly.
We provide up to 625 miles of shipping with every order. If your order falls outside of this distance, shipping is calculated according to distance from our facility. You are able to calculate your exact shipping cost prior to final checkout.
Purchasing
Yes, our team strives to provide an online-first purchase experience for our customers. We wanted to bring an experience that cut out pricing forms, inquiries, and required consultations while providing an exceptional product. Our team would be happy to assist you at any point in the process.
We accept payment using a direct Stripe ACH link emailed to you after completing your order. Simply connect your bank using their secure portal and initiate payment when you are ready.
We are unable to accept returns on our saunas.
We are unfortunately unable to return any ACH payments made to Harbor. This is due to the incredibly efficient build process we utilize, which means as soon as payment is submitted, your sauna enters into production.
If you opted to pay over the course of the build using Harbor's installment plan and wish to cancel your order during this process, please inform our team and we will assist you.
At this time we do not have financing options available to use for purchasing your sauna. However, we are working to bring this to our online purchase experience in the very near future.
We provide you with a 100% secure Stripe ACH payment link to complete your transaction.
We offer an exclusive discount for Trade Partners, but do not run sales or discounts of any kind.
Cleaning & Maintenance
The exteriors of our saunas are designed intentionally to be maintenance free and last for decades to come in the outdoors. If you want to stain the exterior cladding for aesthetics, or apply additional UV protectant in the future, you are able to do so but it is not required to extended the lifespan of your sauna. If your sauna exterior is dirty, simply clean it as you would any other outdoor structure by using water and a scrub brush. We recommend avoiding harsh chemicals if opting to use any cleaning products.
You can access our Cleaning & Maintenance Guide here.
Like the exterior of our saunas, the interior designed to need minimal maintenance. For occasional cleaning, we recommend starting top to bottom with a dry brush to remove any dust or debris on the benches or floor. Using diluted castille soap and water, you can use a cloth or soft brush to help remove sweat or dirt that has accumulated from personal or guest use. Avoid using any harsh chemicals during this cleaning process.
You can access our Cleaning & Maintenance Guide here.
Our intentionally designed wood selections and treatments for our sauna exteriors will form a beautiful, weathered patina. Although our saunas leave our production facility freshly treated, we believe they will look better over time spent in the elements. We envision our saunas appearing just as good, if not better, several decades from now.
Warranty
Our saunas come standard with a complete 5-year warranty on manufacturing defects from the date of installation.
The HUUM heaters we use include a 1-year warranty on manufacturing defects provided by Harbor. After this 1-year window has passed, any claims will need to be fulfilled by HUUM, who provides a 5-year warranty with their products.
You can reach out to our team directly at warranty@harborsaunas.com. We will help assess if your claim is covered under our warranty policy. Regardless of coverage, our team will work to discuss a solution.
Delivery & Installation
There are several options to choose from to prepare your site prior to delivery. We recommend preparing a level pad of either stone or concrete in the area you want your sauna to be placed upon delivery. The size of the site will vary based upon the footprint of the model you purchase. You will need to run electric to the sauna, so consider the distance from your power source when choosing a location.
We recommend consulting with a local contractor or 3rd-party site prep service to ensure this is done correctly prior to delivery.
Our Site Prep Guide will walk you through the necessary steps and considerations to get your site ready for installation.
In order for our team to deliver your sauna, your site must be prepared. If our delivery team arrives to find there is not a prepared site, we will work with you to discuss a place on your property to place your sauna. It will then be the responsibility of the customer to move the sauna again once the site is prepared.
We deliver your sauna fully assembled on the pre-arranged delivery day. Upon arrival at your site, our team will use a special forklift to easily deliver your sauna onto your prepared site. Our team will work with you to place it exactly where you want it and work to ensure it is level. You will need your electrician or contractor to assist with completing the final electrical hookup before you can use your sauna.
In order for our team to deliver and place your sauna, we require a minimum 10' wide by 13' high access. If you wish for your sauna to be place in a difficult or precarious location, a more involved site prep and service involving cranes and additional team members may be necessary. Please let our team know if feel your delivery site may fall outside the normal installation scope and we will coordinate with you prior to delivery.
A precarious location for installation is a space that our team is unable to access without the use of a crane. Our team requires a minimum 10' wide by 13' high access, and can go up and down rather steep and rocky terrain. However, we are unable to go over trees, or up and down large drops such as a wall or rock outcropping. If you have any doubts prior to installation that your site may fall into this category, please contact our team and we will help assess your situation and find a solution.
Our saunas arrive ready to connect to electricity, but your contractor or an electrician will need to assist in providing your prepared site with proper power supply. Our saunas require a 240V power supply, which requires a 6/3 wire protected by a 60amp breaker. After placement on site, a final step by either your contractor or electrician to wire your sauna to the power source will be necessary. Once wiring is completed, your sauna will be ready for use.
We do not require you to pull a permit for your sauna. Some municipalities require permits for accessory structures, but our saunas are small enough that permits are not required in most towns. If you are unsure, we suggest consulting with your local municipality.
Using Your Sauna
Once the electrical connection has been established and your sauna is correctly wired, you’re ready to turn your sauna on.
To manually turn your sauna heater on, simply press the button on the HUUM controller, or adjust using the HUUM app, and adjust the temperature to your desired heat setting. If you are using the HUUM app to turn your sauna heater on remotely, you’ll need to ensure your sauna is hooked up to a reliable WiFi source.
In order to turn the exterior and interior lights on the sauna, click the button on the HUUM controller twice. When the lightbulb icon is illuminated on the controller, you can then use the exterior three way switch plate to control the exterior light and adjust the interior LED lighting to your liking.
Depending on desired heat level, outside temperature, and when you last used your sauna, it may take 60-90 minutes for your sauna to heat up. The HUUM app and proper WiFi connection allows you to start your sauna from anywhere.
To turn the sauna lighting off, simple flip the switches off and turn the LED knob off until you feel a click.
It is important to note The HUUM heater will automatically turn off once heating is finished, but you can manually turn it off by clicking the button on the controller or by using the app.
Once your sauna is connected to a WiFi source, you can easily connect to the HUUM app by opening the app on your phone and entering the information required, found on the HUUM box attached to the back of your sauna.
In order to open the settings menu of the sauna controller, press and hold the control panel button for 10 seconds and navigate to “WiFi settings”. Select “WiFi SSID”. Click the button to confirm your selection.
In the menu that opens, choose the WiFi network you wish to use with your sauna control system. Ensure that different Wi-Fi networks don’t have the same name as you may encounter connectivity problems when several WiFi networks have the same name. In such a case, rename the respective networks.
After selecting the desired Wi-Fi network, enter the password for the Wi-Fi network. Important: The main module does not support Wi-Fi network names and passwords that contain more than 20 characters. After entering the password, select “Connect” and follow the instructions.
If your sauna is out of range from your home WiFi network, you may need to utilize an outdoor WiFi extender or install a separate hot spot near the sauna location altogether.
Yes, you can use water on the heater stones to your liking. Our floors have gaps for water to pas through as well as provide necessary ventilation to dry your sauna. Less water will provide a drier sauna experience, while more water will give off more steam.
Although our windows are dual-paned tempered glass and designed to withstand high heat and large temperature differences, it is encouraged to avoid from intentionally splashing large amounts of water on the windows while using the sauna.
General
We employ a large manufacturing team that has spent decades specializing in building ADU's, modern outdoor structures, and a variety of cabins and tiny homes. By standardizing production and operating on a made-to-order schedule, our team is able to build our saunas with efficiency.
Our production facility is based in Lancaster, PA, and our team members live in a variety of states within the Northeast.
Yes, similar to a shed or other outdoor structure, our saunas are able to be moved as desired.
At this time, we don't offer any accessories with our saunas.
We designed our saunas for an experience that would help attract guests to your property and have designed our saunas with this in mind. Read our Short Term Rental Guide for everything you need to know on integrating your sauna into your workflow and guidebook for your guests.
Still Have Questions?
If you still can't find what you're looking for, drop us a line - our team will be happy to help answer any questions you couldn't find the answers to.