Thinking of adding a sauna but worried it’ll roast your wallet along with your stress? You’re not alone.
Plenty of UK homeowners daydream about cosy indoor saunas or tranquil outdoor sauna cabins, but the big question always bubbles up—how much does it cost to keep these heat havens running?
Good news: saunas aren’t as expensive to run as you might think.
Costs swing depending on the type, how often you use it, and how clever you are with energy-saving tricks.
Let’s unpack the numbers and show you how to enjoy the sauna life without sweating over your bills.
From rustic log cabin saunas in the garden to sleek indoor infrared pods, UK homeowners are turning up the heat at home.
But while the idea sounds dreamy, knowing your running costs upfront is key to avoiding budget shocks down the line.
It all comes down to two things—how much power your sauna guzzles and what you’re paying for electricity.
To crack the sauna cost code, think in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and pence per unit.
A traditional electric sauna tends to gulp 3-6 kWh per hour, while an infrared model sips a more modest 1-2 kWh.
That’s a big difference when you do the maths over weeks and months.
Your local electricity rate seals the deal—a higher rate equals a steeper bill.
Right now, UK electricity rates average 24p per kWh, according to Ofgem’s 2025 price cap.
Of course, these numbers like to play hide and seek with market trends, but this gives us a solid base for our sauna sums.
Let’s get down to the brass tacks—how much will a single sauna session cost you?
We’ll crunch the numbers using current UK rates to show the real-world price of your home spa sessions.
If you fire up your electric sauna for an hour, burning through 5 kWh, you’re looking at:
5 kWh x £0.24 = £1.20 per session.
That’s about the price of a posh coffee—but way better for your skin and soul!
Swap in an infrared sauna, and you’re looking at:
1.8 kWh x £0.24 = 43p per session.
Less than a bag of crisps—and better for your wellbeing!
If you love your sauna time and use it three times a week, here’s what you’re spending:
Electric sauna: £1.20 x 3 = £3.60 per week, or about £15 per month.
Infrared sauna: 43p x 3 = £1.29 per week, or roughly £5.50 per month.
If you’re a daily bather, just multiply it up—you’ll still come out cheaper than most gym memberships.
Size matters when it comes to saunas.
A tiny, well-insulated sauna uses far less power than a draughty wooden monster in your garden.
Investing in good insulation and a modern, efficient heater can trim your bills by up to 30%.
This is especially crucial for outdoor saunas facing chilly UK winters—you don’t want your hard-earned heat leaking into the night sky.
Your average UK gym membership with sauna access? Around £40-£80 per month.
That’s £480 to £960 a year, and you still have to deal with sweaty strangers hogging the bench.
A pay-as-you-go sauna trip might set you back £20-£40 a pop.
If you’re visiting weekly, that adds up to over £1,000 annually—enough to run your own home sauna and still have change for luxury candles.
Set a timer—don’t let your sauna run while you scroll social media
Preheat wisely, and resist the urge to swing the door open
Clean it regularly, so your heater isn’t battling grime
Upgrade your insulation, especially in outdoor sauna cabins
Keep sessions short but sweet—you’ll still reap the benefits without racking up the kilowatts
So, are home saunas expensive to run?
Not at all—when used smartly, they’re surprisingly budget-friendly.
Depending on your setup, you’re looking at 43p to £1.20 per session, far less than a gym or spa habit.
Plus, you get the freedom to sauna in your pyjamas (or not!) anytime you fancy.
Whether it’s an indoor wellness nook or an outdoor sauna retreat, the secret to low bills is smart use, good insulation, and choosing the right type for your lifestyle.
Relaxation and affordability? Now that’s a combo worth sweating for.
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