If you want a true sauna with the option to dial in gentle steam and set a specific humidity level, this is the heater we recommend. Virta Combi is a traditional electric rock heater with a built-in steamer. You can throw water on the stones for classic löyly, or let the steamer do the work and hold a steady, softer humidity that feels closer to a steam room. Not sure if you want a steam room or a sauna? Combi gives you both in one unit.
Why customers pick Virta Combi with us
Set temperature and humidity: Heat like a normal sauna or add continuous steam from the integrated tank. You can run dry, humid, or anything in between.
Soft, even heat: Large stone bed and open airflow deliver that comfortable, enveloping heat people call “soft.”
Easy to own and service: Elements are not buried in the stones and there is a front service hatch. If you ever need to replace a part, it’s straightforward.
Safe in tight layouts: Integrated heat shielding and sensible clearances. A simple wooden guard rail is available.
Proven for homes and light commercial: We spec these for medium and larger residential rooms and many of our commercial clients run them daily.
Real support: We stay with you and your electrician through install. U.S.-based tech help is available if you need it.
Models and room sizing
Use your sauna’s adjusted cubic feet. Count any glass, concrete, or exterior walls as extra volume. If you’re unsure, send us your dimensions and a quick sketch. We’ll size it with you.
HL80SA 8.0 kW: small to mid rooms. Typical up to about 425 cubic feet when well insulated.
HL90SA 9.0 kW: mid to larger rooms. Commonly used up to about 475–500 cubic feet.
HL110SA 10.5 kW: larger rooms or colder installs. Often chosen around 500–600 cubic feet.
Real examples from our customers:
6 ft x 7 ft x 8 ft (336 ft³): 9 kW is the right call.
8 ft x 7.5 ft x 8 ft with some glass and exterior exposure (about 530 adjusted ft³): 10.5 kW.
If your ceiling is higher than 7 ft 6 in, plan to lower it or upsize. That height limit matters for performance and safety.
How the Combi works
The rock heater warms the room. The built-in steamer adds gentle moisture through a small outlet near the top of the unit. You can pour water on the stones any time for quick bursts of steam, or let the steamer hold a steady humidity for a softer session. The Combi’s water tank is about 5 liters and the “A” in the model name indicates it is ready for automatic fill. You can plumb it to a cold water line, or fill manually if you prefer.
Heat-up time is usually 40–60 minutes depending on room size and insulation. Once hot, the big stone bed holds temperature very evenly.
Controls
Required: Harvia Xenio Combi control
Harvia CX30C-U1 • SKU CX30C-U1 • $535.00
Touch panel for temperature, time, lights, and humidity on Virta Combi models. Mounts outside the room or near the door.
Notes from the field: HL80SA and HL90SA typically pair with the CX30C-U1. HL110SA may require a larger relay box or power extension depending on your electrical service and code. If you’re unsure, we’ll configure the correct control and relay package with your order. Wi‑Fi variants are available if you want to preheat from your phone.
Stones
Virta Combi needs thermal mass to deliver the soft heat it’s known for.
Minimum stones: 100 lb total
Order: 3 boxes Harvia AC3020 sauna stones (10–15 cm)
SKU AC3020 • $15.00 per box
Tips: Stack stones loosely so air can move through. Check them every 6–12 months, remove broken pieces, and re-stack. Fresh, properly sized igneous stones make a real difference in steam quality.
What you’ll need to install
Power: Dedicated 240 V circuit sized to your model plus a separate circuit for the steamer on Combi units. In many homes that means:
8.0 kW: typically a 40 A 240 V breaker
9.0 kW: typically a 40–50 A 240 V breaker
10.5 kW: typically a 50 A 240 V breaker
Steamer: a small additional circuit as specified by the control package
Exact wire size and breaker values depend on your run length and local code. We’ll give your electrician the correct cut sheet.
Water: For auto-fill, a cold water line with shutoff. Manual fill is OK if you prefer no plumbing.
Drain: Not required, but recommended if you’re using the steamer regularly. At minimum, plan where you’ll drain the tank after cooldown.
Clearances: Leave a small air gap behind and along the sides. Keep benches a safe distance. Don’t push the heater tight to a wall.
Sensor: The included temperature sensor mounts on the ceiling above the heater at the specified distance from the wall. Correct placement prevents nuisance high‑limit trips and improves accuracy.
Ventilation: One low intake and one high exhaust on the opposite wall is a reliable pattern for even heat.
If you’re thinking “I don’t know the process,” here’s the short version:
We size the heater. 2) You order the heater, control, and stones. 3) Your electrician runs the circuits and mounts the relay box. 4) Plumber adds the cold water line if you’re using auto‑fill. 5) Set the heater, stack stones, place the sensor, and test. We stay on‑call until it’s running the way it should.
The Harvia Virta Combi is an easy to use combination sauna heater and automatic steamer that brings complete climate control to your fingertips. It’s easy to use, reliable, and satisfying.
It’s available in 6kw, 8kw, 9kw, and 10.5kw versions.
Sizing
When sizing a Harvia sauna heater, be sure to factor in glass and cold surfaces like brick and stone.
It’s not too difficult but please reach out if you’d like help. We’re usually available in the chat window below.
First calculate the pre-adjusted volume of your room in cubic feet. Length x Width x Height.
Next, multiply by 1.5 if your sauna does not have insulated walls but is constructed with logs or a sauna kit with a single layer of wood. This includes barrel saunas.
Next add the area of glass (LxW) in the sauna and multiply the total area of glass by two (or 1.5 if the sauna is not insulated and you already multiplied by 1.5).
Your adjusted volume is your initial volume x 1.5 (if not insulated) + Glass Adder
harvia virta combi sizing chart
There are a few important considerations once you’ve determined the ideal heater. All models can be ordered with standard 240v Single Phase Power.
Note that the 10.5KW (HL11U1SA and HL11U3SA) version is 3 inches deeper and available in 208v 3ph for commercial applications in North America. Ideal for that public sauna deciding between a steam room and sauna.
If your hot room is larger than 635 cubic feet you can put two Virt Combi’s side-by-side or look at the Virta Pro, but that does not have a steamer.
All 240v Harvia Virta Combi heaters require two circuits to accommodate the steamer.
Next, let’s take a closer look at safety distances.
All Virta Combi heaters require a minimum sauna height of 75″ and side clearances of 2″. This works out well for most home and commercial saunas.
If you have less than this, send your drawings to a Sauna Marketplace tech to see if there’s a heat shield that will reduce the clearance requirement.
The System
Power Unit
The Harvia Virta Combi system starts with the Power Unit, which your electrician will first power up. This can be considered the system’s ‘Brains’ or ‘Central Hub,’ and it comes with your Xenio controller.
In an outdoor sauna we like to put the power unit on the exterior of the back wall. It’s best to place this power unit in a waterproof box, the dimensions are: 14.3” x 2.9” x 10.5”.
In an indoor sauna, it can be recessed in an accessible equipment box.
Controller
From the power unit, a low-voltage data cable will run to the digital controller or keypad. This is where you can conveniently control the temperature and humidity near the sauna.
Actually, it can be places almost anywhere with additional cable. Contact your Sauna Marketplace representative for an additional data cable for your Combi.
This controller should NOT be in the hot room itself. For an outdoor sauna that does not have a changing room or large overhand, an equipment box is recommended to protect it from direct rain and sun.
The Wi-Fi upgrade allows the digital controller to be operated by your phone using the MyHarvia Mobile Application, available on Google Play and Apple Store.
The Wi-Fi is recommended as your sauna will have the best conditions after one hour of preheating and steaming. It’s convenient to get that started from your office, gym, or bed!
Temperature and Humidity Sensors
The power box is also where you will connect your temperature and humidity sensors for your Virta Combi system. See your manual for recommended placement. We recommend testing a few different placements to make sure you are happy with the results before drilling.
Lighting and Fan Control
Your Xenio power box has optional outputs for 120v circuits for both Lights and Fan and can even power a Saunum AirSolo climate equalizing system!
Add Ons
Stones
When stones are selected above, your heater will come with 3 or 4 boxes (depending on model) of Harvia AC3020 Stones – chosen for use with the Virta Combi.
Safety Guards
The Virta design has an integrated heat shield, but an additional safety guard can be added to help prevent people from accidentally touching the stones.
Plumbing
Most people fill the water reservoir but it’s also possible to run water lines to the heater as shown:
Bundle and Save!
Do you need sauna wood, accessories, and other materials besides your Virta Combi? Thinking about pairing it with a Saunum AirSolo to create more even temperatures?
Select ‘Invoice Me’ at checkout, and tell us everything on your sauna shopping list. We’ll look for discounts and streamline the process.
Daily use
Warmup: Set your target temperature and time. For faster startup, set it higher at first, then back it down once you’re ready to bathe.
Humidity: Turn on the steamer for a gentle, steady steam. For aromatics, use the fragrance cup designed for sauna oils.
Throwing water: Ladle clean water on the stones whenever you want a quick burst of löyly.
After a steam session: Let the heater cool for at least an hour before draining the tank. If your water is hard, drain and rinse more often to reduce scale.
Related parts and simple add‑ons
Harvia CX30C-U1 Combi Control • SKU CX30C-U1 • $535.00
Harvia AC3020 Stones 10–15 cm • SKU AC3020 • $15.00 per box
Harvia HL4 Safety Railing for Virta • SKU HL4 • $61.00
A clean wood guard that keeps knees, towels, and kids a safe distance from the heater.
Ask us to bundle the right control, stones, and guard rail so everything arrives together.
Good fits for Virta Combi
Homeowners who want a real sauna most days and a steamier feel when they’re sore, under the weather, or easing new users in.
Families and hosts who want a gentle option for kids, guests, and group nights.
Studios, clinics, and small spas that need consistent performance, easy service, and the ability to offer both dry and steamy sessions from one unit.
Common questions
Do I need a drain?
No. It’s optional. If you do not have a floor drain, just plan to drain the tank after it cools into a bucket or nearby sink. For heavy steam use, a drain is convenient.
Do I have to plumb the steamer?
No. Auto‑fill is ready out of the box, but you can run manual fill if you prefer. Many people start manual, then add a water line later.
Will it get hot enough?
Sized correctly with a 7 ft 6 in ceiling or lower, Virta Combi reaches typical Finnish sauna temps, and the steamer lets you hold a comfortable humidity at those temps.
How loud is the steamer?
You’ll hear a soft boil and occasional refill click. It’s quiet enough that conversation is easy.
How hard is service?
If you ever need it, the front service door and element layout make Virta one of the easiest heaters to work on. Most owners never need to touch it beyond stone checks and the occasional descale.
Can I run it from my phone?
Yes. Order the Wi‑Fi control option and you can preheat and monitor from the MyHarvia app, subject to safety interlocks.
Our take
For anyone who wants the feel of a real rock sauna and the option to run a gentle, steady steam, Virta Combi is the smart pick. It’s the right balance of stone mass, heat‑up time, and control over the room climate. It’s reliable, easy to maintain, and it solves the “sauna or steam” question without forcing you to choose.
If you’d like help sizing or planning the install, send us your room dimensions, ceiling height, door and glass details, and a quick note about where the heater will sit. We’ll spec the right model, control, and stones, and walk you through the process step by step.
Prebuilt
Sauna Brushes
Vents