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You've done your research. You've weighed the options, considered the space, perhaps even measured up that perfect corner in your garden or that unused room upstairs. You've decided, yes, a sauna would fit beautifully into your life. The wellness benefits are clear, the relaxation appeals, and you can see yourself unwinding after long days in your own private sanctuary.
But there's still that one question hovering at the back of your mind: what about the running costs?
It's the practical concern that deserves a proper answer. We've touched on sauna costs in passing across other articles, but this topic really needs its own spotlight. Because understanding what it actually costs to run a sauna, not just buy one, but use it regularly, is what transforms it from a nice idea into a confident decision.
Let's clear away the uncertainty and give you the real numbers.
The cost varies significantly depending on which type of sauna you choose, so let's break it down by type:
Electric Saunas: £35-65 per month for daily 30-minute sessions
Infrared Saunas: £32-47 per month for daily 40-minute sessions
Wood-Fired Saunas: £32-48 per month for twice-weekly use
These figures are based on the current UK electricity rate of approximately 26p per kilowatt-hour, though your actual costs will vary depending on where you live and how you use your sauna.
The good news? Running a sauna costs less than most people think, often comparable to running your tumble dryer or electric shower regularly. And when you consider what you'd spend on spa visits or gym memberships with sauna access, having one at home becomes surprisingly economical.
Over the years, we've noticed that many of our clients are surprised by just how many factors influence their sauna's running costs. It's not just about the size or how often you use it, there are several other elements at play that you might not have considered. We've listed everything here that affects your energy bills, including the factors that seem minor but actually make a real difference to your budget.
Not all saunas are created equal when it comes to energy consumption, and the differences are significant.
Traditional electric saunas are the classic choice, they heat the air around you to 65-90°C, creating that authentic dry heat experience. A typical 6-8 kW heater pulls full power for the first 30-40 minutes while heating up, then drops to about half power to maintain temperature. For a complete session including heat-up time, you're looking at 9-13 kWh of electricity.
Infrared saunas work differently, they use infrared light panels to heat your body directly rather than heating the air. This is where efficiency really shines. Operating at lower temperatures (43-65°C) and using only 1.5-3.5 kWh per session, they're the most economical electric option. Many smaller 1-2 person models use under 1.6 kW, compared to the 6 kW typical of traditional saunas.
Wood-fired saunas offer something electric models can't, that authentic heat from a wood-burning stove, the ritual of building the fire, and complete independence from the power grid. The catch? Each session requires about one bundle of firewood (7-9 kg), and while your energy costs are zero if you source your own wood, purchasing firewood regularly adds up quickly.
Where you live matters more than you might think. Electricity rates vary across the UK, from around 23.5p per kWh in the Northern region to 28.5p per kWh in North Wales and Merseyside. That same 6 kW sauna that costs £36 monthly in the North might run you £44 monthly in Wales.
If you have easy access to affordable firewood, maybe you own woodland or have a reliable local source, a wood-fired sauna could be your most economical option. But if you're buying firewood, costs vary significantly by wood type. Oak and ash, the two most popular hardwoods for sauna use in the UK, typically cost £100-150 per cubic metre for seasoned wood, or up to £200+ for high-quality kiln-dried logs.
This is where you have the most control. The cost to run a sauna scales directly with how long and how often you use it. Someone enjoying a 30-minute session three times a week spends roughly half what a daily hour-long sauna enthusiast does.
The heat-up time is something many people forget to factor in. That 30-45 minutes your traditional sauna spends getting to temperature? The meter's running. This is why using your sauna as soon as it's ready, rather than letting it sit while you finish other tasks, makes a real difference in your electricity costs.
Discover our full collection of saunas and find the perfect fit for your home and lifestyle.
If you've read our article about building a sauna, you'll know we can't stress this enough, insulation matters. Really matters. We've seen too many people skimp on this step during installation, only to watch their energy bills climb month after month. Don't let your well-earned money go to waste because you underestimated the importance of proper insulation.
A well-insulated sauna is like a good thermos, it keeps heat where you want it. Quality insulation means your heater doesn't have to work as hard to maintain temperature, which translates directly to lower energy consumption. In the long run, this affects your running costs tremendously. If heat is leaking out through gaps or poor insulation, you're essentially heating the outdoors, and your energy bills will reflect that.
One thing we've noticed that really helps our clients is working through real-life examples together. We sit down, talk about your habits, how often you'd use your sauna, how long your sessions might be, what time of day suits you best, and then we put everything to paper. Using our calculators, we work out a monthly cost based on your actual lifestyle. This is honestly the best way to see if you've made the right decision and whether your investment will be worth it for you specifically.
Here's what those real sessions typically cost:
For a traditional electric sauna with a 6 kW heater at the current UK rate of 26p per kWh, let's work through the maths together. The heater runs at full power (6 kW) for about 45 minutes to get everything nicely heated up, then drops to half power (3 kW) to maintain that lovely warmth. Let's say your average session lasts around 30 minutes, that's approximately 6 kWh total, costing about £1.56 per session. If this becomes your daily wind-down ritual for a month, you're looking at around £47.
Infrared saunas are notably gentler on your wallet. A typical session uses 2-3 kWh, which works out to £0.52-£0.78. Even if you're using it daily, and many of our clients do once they get into the habit, you're only adding £16-24 to your monthly electricity bill. The quick 10-15 minute heat-up time (compared to 30-45 minutes for traditional saunas) is a big part of where these savings come from.
Wood-fired saunas work on completely different economics. One bundle of firewood costs £4-6 and gives you one good session. So if you're planning on twice-weekly sessions, that's £32-48 monthly just for fuel. You'll also want to factor in the time commitment, chopping and hauling wood if you're sourcing it yourself, or arranging regular deliveries if you're buying it. Plus there's the reality that you need to plan ahead, starting the fire 60-90 minutes before you actually want to step into your sauna. For some people, that ritual is part of the magic. For others, it shifts the convenience factor considerably.
Read also: Infrared vs. Traditional Sauna: A Comprehensive Comparison
Your local climate affects sauna running costs more than most people realize. If your sauna is in an unheated space and it's winter in Scotland, that heater is working significantly harder than the same model would in a heated conservatory in the South West.
Outdoor saunas face the elements head-on, cold ambient temperatures, wind, and weather all force your heater to work harder and longer. Indoor saunas, especially those in heated spaces, start from a warmer baseline and maintain temperature more easily. The difference in energy consumption can be 20-30% or more depending on conditions.
Meet Victoria — our best-selling panoramic sauna featuring a cozy anteroom for extra comfort.
Over the years working in this business, we've picked up some valuable tips and tricks on how to lower your costs and be smart about your sauna use. These are tried-and-tested ideas that we've seen work time and again with our clients, and we're sharing them with you so you can implement them straight away.
Use your sauna strategically. If your supplier offers Economy 7 or similar off-peak tariffs, run your sauna during these cheaper hours. This alone can cut your costs by 20-40%. And make it a habit to step into your sauna the moment it's ready rather than letting it maintain temperature while you finish other things.
Keep it properly insulated and sealed. Check your sauna regularly for gaps, worn seals, or areas where heat might be escaping. Small fixes can make a meaningful difference, think of it as preventive maintenance that pays for itself. Quality cedar panelling isn't just aesthetic; it's functional insulation.
Choose the right temperature for your needs. You don't always need maximum heat. Keeping temperatures around 70-80°C instead of pushing to the upper limits can save up to 30% on running costs while still giving you an excellent sauna experience. Infrared saunas, which operate comfortably at lower temperatures, excel here.
Consider your long-term energy strategy. If you're serious about your sauna practice and concerned about ongoing costs, solar panels become an interesting investment. The payback period for solar has shortened considerably, and once installed, your sauna sessions become virtually free from an electricity standpoint.
When we talk about running costs, we're not just talking about electricity or firewood. There are maintenance expenses that you need to budget for, and we've learned it's better to be prepared for these from the start. If you're investing in a sauna, you need to know about the occasional problems and upkeep that come with it, it's part of responsible ownership.
For electric saunas, you should budget around £150-200 annually for maintenance. This covers things like replacing heating elements when they eventually wear out, refreshing door seals that can degrade over time, and general upkeep to keep everything running smoothly. These aren't frequent expenses, but they do happen, and it's worth knowing about them before you commit.
Wood-fired saunas require a different kind of ongoing attention. Beyond the fuel costs we've already discussed, the stove itself needs regular care, cleaning out ash after sessions, periodic deep cleans, and occasional maintenance on the chimney and flue system. For some of our clients, these rituals become part of the whole experience, something meditative about caring for the sauna. For others, it's extra work they hadn't anticipated. It's worth thinking honestly about which camp you'd fall into.
Initial setup costs can also catch people off guard. Electric saunas often need electrical upgrades, a proper dedicated circuit isn't standard in most UK homes, so you'll likely need an electrician to install one. Wood-burning stoves come with their own upfront investment: quality stoves start around £2,000-2,500, plus you'll need proper chimney installation, possibly planning permission depending on your local authority, and a heat-resistant base. These aren't running costs as such, but they're important to factor into your overall investment.
The most economical sauna isn't always the cheapest to operate. Consider your lifestyle honestly. If you value convenience and want to sauna on a whim, the ease of electric (especially infrared) might be worth slightly higher operating costs compared to wood-fired. If you love the ritual, have access to wood, and don't mind the prep time, wood-fired offers authentic heat and potentially the lowest running costs.
Think about your energy situation. High local electricity rates? Wood-fired or solar-assisted electric makes more sense. Reasonable electricity prices and you value convenience? Electric saunas shine. Already planning solar panels for your home? Factor in that synergy.
Consider frequency. Using your sauna daily makes the efficiency of infrared saunas especially attractive. Occasional weekend sessions? The operational differences between sauna types matter less, and you can focus more on the experience you want.
The cost of running a sauna, in the end, is a small price for what it brings to your life, better sleep, muscle recovery, stress relief, and those precious moments of warmth and quiet in your day. Understanding these costs simply helps you make the choice that fits your life best.
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