https://www.reddit.com/r/Sauna/comments/11qjvfb/harvia_8kw_element_corroded/

**Water & Humidity Management:**

1. **Use Softer/Filtered Water:** If you have hard water (high mineral content) or chlorinated city water, switch to using distilled water, Reverse Osmosis (RO) filtered water, or collected rainwater for creating steam (*löyly*). Minerals and chlorine significantly accelerate corrosion.
2. **Avoid Direct Water on Elements:** Ensure water is ladled onto the *hot rocks*, not directly onto the heating elements themselves. The goal is for the rocks to vaporize the water.
3. **Moderate Water Use:** While *löyly* is essential, avoid excessive, continuous dousing. Allow the rocks time to reheat between ladles.
4. **Be Cautious with Essential Oils:** If using scents, use products specifically designed for saunas and dilute them properly in the water ladle. *Never* put undiluted oils or oil-heavy water directly onto hot rocks/elements, as they can coat surfaces, burn, and potentially damage elements or even ignite. Some users recommend avoiding them altogether if element failure is a concern.

**Rock Management:**

5. **Use Sufficient, Correct Rocks:** Ensure you have the manufacturer-recommended amount and type of sauna stones. Don't skimp.
6. **Proper Rock Placement (Crucial):**
* **Full Coverage:** Arrange rocks so the heating elements are *completely covered* and not visible. This protects them from direct water splashes.
* **Allow Airflow:** Pack rocks loosely enough to allow air to circulate freely *around* the elements and through the rock mass. Overly tight packing traps heat and can cause elements to overheat. Don't just dump them in; place larger stones first, creating gaps, then fill with smaller ones. Refer to your heater manual or Harvia's videos for guidance.
* **Avoid Wedging/Stress:** Don't force rocks tightly between elements, which could bend or damage them.
7. **Periodic Rock Resetting:** Every 6-12 months (or more often with heavy use), remove the rocks, clean out any debris/dust from the heater compartment, inspect the elements, and replace degraded/crumbled stones. Restack the good stones properly.

**Heater Usage & Environment:**

8. **Appropriate Heater Sizing & Insulation:** Ensure your heater is correctly sized for your *insulated* sauna volume. An undersized heater or one in a poorly insulated room (like some barrel saunas) will run constantly, stressing the elements. Improving insulation can significantly reduce heater strain.
9. **Avoid Constant Maximum Heat (If Possible):** While high heat is desired, if your elements are failing quickly, consider if running at the absolute maximum setting for the entire duration is necessary. Let the thermostat cycle the heater on and off as designed.
10. **Consider Staged Heating:** As one user suggested, heating the sauna in stages (e.g., to a lower temp first, letting it rest, then heating to the final temp) might reduce thermal stress compared to a single, long "full blast" heating cycle.

**Installation & Maintenance:**

11. **Careful Element Installation:** When replacing elements, handle them carefully to avoid nicks, scratches, or bends which can become failure points. Ensure electrical connections are secure and correct.
12. **Regular Inspection:** Periodically (when resetting rocks or if you notice performance changes), visually inspect the elements for signs of corrosion, sagging, or hotspots.