10 Things to Consider When Buying Steam Generator
Buying a Steam Generator? Look For These 13 Features!
You've made the decision to have a steam room in your home. Next is buying a steam generator.
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When you buy a steam generator, it's really important to choose the right one in the right size so you have the best possible steam experience. That way, you can relax assured that your steam generator isn't wasting resources creating steam for your steam bath, and you won't waste time waiting for your steam shower.
Size matters. You see, the size of your steam shower enclosure as well as the materials your steam shower was built with matter when selecting a steam generator.
- The dimensions of your bathroom affect your choice of a home steam shower generator. These include how high the ceiling is, as well as the width and length of your shower enclosure (in other words, you need to find out the volume of the space). You want a steam generator to fill the volume of the enclosure with steam. Too small a generator, and you'll barely get enough steam to steam your pinky. Too large, and you'll have too much steam.
- The materials that your shower enclosure was built with affect the steam generator you buy. Steam reacts to the walls, ceiling and the ambient temperature of your bathroom. If your steam enclosure is made from a non-porous material such as fiberglass, acrylic or other formed plastic, you can probably opt for a smaller steam generator. On the other hand, porous materials (natural stone, marble, concrete, etc.) will require a larger steam generator.
(You may also want to read How to Size a Steam Shower Generator? Try Our Virtual Spa System for additional perspective.)
Look for these 13 features when buying a steam generator!
Given the company's tremendous experience with steam and steam showers (see The History of Steam and Steam Showers in New York City), Mr.Steam recommends that you look for the following 13 features in a steam generator:
Disclaimer - all Mr.Steam steam generators come with these features.
1. Make sure that your steam generator features stainless steel inside and out for long life.
2. We recommend a compact size for your steam generator for ease and flexibility of installation. (This is what makes Mr.Steam so perfect for small bathrooms! See Yes, You Can Have a Steam Shower in a Small Bathroom.)
3. Precision connectors for easy plug-and-play installation of multiple steam generator features (example: AutoFlush. See Why Bother with Steam Shower AutoFlush Technology?)
4. A microprocessor-controlled water monitoring and delivery system
5. Self-diagnostic LED indicators on the steam generator for hassle-free, smooth steam operation
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6. Unique seven-second electronic steam generator shut-off safety feature
7. Steam generator with anti-hammer, low voltage water Solenoid valves for a quiet, safe steam shower
8. A 24-volt transformer for safety and protection
9. A standard ½' full port ball valve for ease of service
10. Exclusive Express Steam® factory-installed steam generator option that maintains water temperature to start steaming more quickly
11. Easy installation and service of your steam generator
12. Eco-friendly, incorporating recycled materials. Furthermore, the steam generators themselves can be recycled!
13. UL listed in the US and Canada, allowing you to relax and buy a steam generator with confidence
(Also check ou 5 Tips For Buying a Steam Room Generator.)
If all of this sounds complicated, have no fear! Mr. Steam is the only steam generator manufacturer to make sizing both simple AND precise with a free steam shower sizing app available for designers, remodelers and installers. Answer a few questions, and your bathroom remodeling professional can be assured that you won't be wasting power'or experiencing an unsatisfying steam. Making sure your professional uses Mr. Steam is the key to receiving the relaxing steam that you've always wanted.
Let us know if you have any questions about buying a steam generator for your home steam shower!
7 Things To Consider While Choosing A Steam Bath Generator
We've seen in a previous blog how a residential steam bath generator has the edge over public steam room generators. It is compact, affordable, and costs less per session compared to the latter.
Over time we've come to realize how essential heat therapy is, especially in the US, where we have one person dying of cardiovascular issues every 30 seconds.
According to other statistics, 25 percent of Americans have acute insomnia, and 24 percent develop metabolic syndrome.
Mental health is a global concern, and within the US, around 50 percent of the total population suffers from mental health issues at some point in life.
All of these health problems have one thing in common: they can all be cured to a great extent using heat therapy.
A steam bath would surely pop up in your mind when we talk of heat therapy. That is because steam bathing is the most reliable and time-tested heat therapy method.
You can enjoy a 15-minute steam bath every day and stay immune from ailments most Americans have to go through.
You see, one cannot overstate the importance of a residential steam bath generator in this context.
How does a steam bath generator work?
Now that you've seen the therapeutic elements of steam bathing, you might wonder how a steam bath generator works.
Remember those science lessons in school when you learned that water turns into steam once boiled.
The exact process is repeated in a steam bath generator that boils water at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, turning it into steam.
You connect your steam generator to a water pipeline from where water runs into it. A heating element then raises the water temperature to boil point using electricity.
The steam generated is then moved to your shower enclosure and is released by a steam head.
There you have it, the goodness of steam made efficient and straightforward.
Different methods of steam generation:
The steam generation process that involves turning water into steam is the same for every steam bath generator.
However, different manufacturers use different heating methods in their steam generators.
For instance, some steam bath generator variants may use a large single heating element.
While other steam generators may use two or more small-sized heating elements, thus offering you more control over steam temperature.
With multiple heating elements, you can have just one heater running at a time, which allows you to save energy, have steam at the desired temperature, and prevent uncomfortable heat fluctuations.
Ideal Steam Bath generator: Things To Consider
You saw the working of a steam bath generator. But there are certain things you must consider while buying one for yourself.
For instance, the size of your steam bath generator and whether it would fit at an ideal distance from the shower is something you need to consider seriously.
There are many other important factors.
Let's see them in detail.
Size of the steam bath generator
Size is the most crucial element you should consider while choosing a steam bath generator.
The size of your steam room or that of your shower enclosure determines the size of your steam generator.
If your steam room or shower enclosure is large-sized, or it has a high ceiling, you'd need a large-sized steam generator.
Thankfully, such residential steam generators are available that can steam up your large shower room. Take, for instance, CGOLDENWALL Steam Generator Shower that runs on 9KW energy and produces steam for rooms up to 300 cubic feet.
Similarly, if you have a small bathroom, you should go for a smaller steam bath generator.
ECO LLC's ST-90 Steam Shower Generator should be ideal for a small steam room, as it heats small shower enclosures up to 10 cubic feet using a 9KW system.
However, you even get such compact steam bath generators that use different energy systems for a wide range of steam rooms, ranging from small to large rooms.
Take the Steamist TSG steam bath generator, for example. It starts from a 7KW system and goes on till 30KW, meaning you can choose an ideal energy system depending on the size of your steam room.
Be it your closet or your vanity; this steam bath generator is so compact that you can fit it just anywhere.
Interesting, isn't it?
For more guidance check out our detailed guide on the best steam shower generator.
Whether or not it is noise-proof
Why do you take a steam bath?
To relax and rejuvenate yourself, right?
But that constant noise from your steam bath generator can defeat the very purpose of a steam bath. Forget about relaxing; you might end up getting irritated from all that noise.
The reason why choosing a noise-free steam bath generator should be your priority.
But most steam generators do make noise.
The mechanical components in your generator, valves in particular that bring in water and circulate it between the chambers, can be very noisy indeed.
However, you do get noise-free alternatives.
You can consider any Steamist steam bath generator. They aren't just compact and heavy-duty but also quiet, making your every steam bath a peaceful retreat.
'CGOLDENWALL'S Steam Shower Generator is also a quiet alternative to the noisy generators that you most commonly find in the market.
There you have it, a tranquil space to loosen up.
Nevertheless, you shouldn't overlook some noises in any steam bath generator.
For instance, a high-pitched buzzing could hint at a problem with the transformer. Similarly, loud noises from the valve could signal that the valve is clogged.
You should reach out to the manufacturers and stop using your generator till the problem gets fixed.
Energy efficiency is key for a steam bath generator
When we talk of steam generators, you might think of them as something that will increase your energy bills exponentially.
And you're right to think so.
Most steam generators will surely cost you big on energy as they come with bulky heating elements that run on large energy systems.
So steam bathing at home with these generators can be a costly affair.
But, did you know with the right steam bath generator, you'd spend around a dollar per steam session on energy?
That's just a fraction of what you would spend at a public steam bath.
Sounds surprising, right?
Yes, such energy-efficient steam generators are available.
Take, for instance, Steamist's SM Plussteam bath generator 5KW system. This steam generator suits a small steam shower and well serves your steam bath requirements.
With 5KW energy consumption, you're sure to save on electricity bills while soaking in the goodness of a steam bath.
The same applies to Superior's 6KW self-draining steam generator.
You see, a steam bath need not be an energy-intensive affair. More so for a residential system that is meant for personal use.
You should take heating time into account
Steam generation time, or the time a steam bath generator takes to pump steam after switching on, is something you should note.
Some steam generators might take up to 20 minutes, or even more, to pump steam. That will undoubtedly result in higher energy bills while also increasing the waiting time.
One of the many reasons in-house steam showers gained popularity is that a public steam room session is an overly lengthy exercise. And a long heating time defeats this purpose of residential steam bath generators.
You wouldn't like to keep waiting after turning on your steam generator, would you?
However, some modern steam generators can come to your rescue here.
For instance, Kohler's K--NA model steam generator comes with a 60 second heating time, meaning you get that warm, soothing steam within a minute of switching it on.
Similarly, Steamist's TSG steam generators come with in-built technologies like SteadySteam and Instamist, meaning your steam room is filled with hot steam in no time.
There you are with a quick steaming solution.
Look for a steam bath generator with an auto-cut feature
Steam baths are supposed to be a pleasant affair, as you're looking for some peace of mind after a hectic day.
Unfortunately, your steam bath generator with manual controls can end up ruining your steam bath experience.
The ideal temperature for your steam room is 110-115 degrees Fahrenheit. But your manual steam bath generator can heat your steam room well beyond the desired temperature, making it highly uncomfortable.
Gladly, steam bath generators with automatic shut-off features are readily available in the market.
For instance, you can take Steamist's residential steam bath generators, which feature one of their kind, '250 Digital Control'. That enables you to program it with your preferred temperature.
The digital control and auto-shut features prevent heat and steam delivery fluctuations.
Superior's self-draining steam shower generator also features similar auto-cut features.
Meaning you can sit back and enjoy your steam bath at a controlled ambient temperature without worries of over-heating.
Must be covered by a reasonable warranty
Warranty cover determines how good a product is. It shows the manufacturer's confidence in the product.
The same applies to your steam bath generator.
You should look for a steam generator with the most extended warranty cover. You can, as such, stay unbothered by manufacturing defects, quality issues, etc., for a long time.
On the other hand, steam generators with lesser or no warranty cover can have you spending a good amount of money regularly.
When it comes to warranty, you should consider Steamist's steam generators that are covered by a lifetime manufacturer warranty.
Must be UL listed
The quality of your steam bath generator is determined by its UL listing. It is the best way to ensure you're buying a steam generator that is safe, properly designed, and manufactured by the best standards.
A steam bath generator bearing UL listing means it has been put through rigorous tests and meets the highest safety standards.