If you have plans to install a garden sauna, it’s worth knowing how much they’re likely to add to your electricity bill.

The good news is that saunas don’t use as much electricity as many people assume. This makes the running costs quite reasonable.

Let’s take a closer look at the real costs of running an outdoor sauna, with some practical tips on how to keep them as low as possible.

How Much Electricity Do Outdoor Saunas Actually Use?

Understanding sauna electricity consumption is crucial when weighing up whether outdoor saunas are worth it for your home.

How much electricity they use depends on the type of heating system and the size of the unit. The main saunas we install tend to me traditional electric saunas. These use electric heaters to warm rocks, which then radiate heat throughout the cabin.

From a two person sauna, you can expect electricity use on average to be:

• Heat up phase: 3-6kW during the initial warming up phase (30-45 minutes)
• Maintenance phase: Once up to temperature, power demand usually drops to an average of 1-3kW, as the heater cycles on and off to maintain optimal sauna temperature.
• Total consumption per session: Around 3-8kWh for a complete 60-90 minute sauna session, with higher usage in colder weather or for longer sessions. This is roughly the same as running a tumble dryer for the same amount of time.

The heating time depends on several factors, including outdoor temperature, heater size and insulation quality.

We build well-insulated outdoor saunas which reach temperature faster and maintain heat more efficiently than a poorly constructed one.

It’s worth saying that you can also get infrared saunas. They work very differently from traditional saunas in that they heat you directly rather than warming the air. For this reason, they are more energy efficient. You’ll just get a different sauna experience from what you’re used to.

What Does This Mean For Garden Sauna Running Costs?

In terms of the actual costs, let’s take a look using the current UK average electricity costs of £0.27 per kWh.

For a traditional electric sauna consuming 6-8kWh per session:

• Per session: £1.66 – £2.22
• Weekly use (3 sessions): £4.98 – £6.65
• Monthly cost: £19.94 – £26.58

For around £5 a week or about £20 a month, you’ll be able to run your very own garden sauna.

Real World Outdoor Sauna Example

To give you a practical example, we recently completed a garden office, gym and sauna room project in Leeds featuring a 6kW electric sauna heater.

This sauna costs around £1.50 per hour to run.

For a home using it three times per week for an hour, that translates to just £16 a month – not too bad for the many health benefits (both physical and mental) that you get from regular sauna use.

Factors That Affect Your Sauna’s Running Costs

Several factors can influence how much you’ll actually spend on electricity:

• Sauna Size and Insulation Quality – Larger saunas naturally require more energy to heat, but the relationship isn’t always linear. A well-insulated larger sauna can be more efficient than a poorly insulated smaller one. Quality insulation in the walls, roof and floor can reduce running costs by 20-30% compared to basic installations.
• Outdoor Temperature – Outdoor saunas work harder in winter, with heating costs potentially increasing by 20-30% during the coldest months. However, summer brings efficiency benefits, with faster heating times and lower maintenance energy requirements.
• Usage Patterns – Session length and frequency directly affect costs. Smart controls and programmable heating may allow you to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates.

Tips to Minimise Your Sauna Running Costs

• Insulated, well-constructed building – Going for a well-constructed, insulated sauna will set you on the right path from the start. There are lots of cheap, uninsulated garden saunas on the market, so make sure you’ve done your research before you buy. Investing in quality from the start pays dividends in running costs – this is what Lux Garden Rooms do with our bespoke outdoor saunas.
• Optimal session planning -If multiple family members want to use the sauna, schedule sessions back-to-back to take advantage of the initial heating cycle.
• Regular maintenance – Keep your sauna well-maintained to ensure optimal efficiency. Clean heater elements and make sure door seals are intact.
• Timer controls – Modern sauna controls with programmable timers help you stick to efficient usage patterns.

Are Outdoor Sauna Running Costs Worth It?

This comes down to each person individually, but we think they are – absolutely.

Let’s think about the health and wellness benefits, which include:

• Improved cardiovascular health
• Stress reduction
• Better sleep quality

When you factor in the property value addition, family enjoyment and health benefits, the running costs become a minor consideration in the overall value equation.

Read more on are outdoor saunas worth it.

Ready for a garden sauna?

Thinking about installing an outdoor sauna in your garden?

The key is choosing the right type of sauna for your needs and making sure it’s built with quality and proper insulation if you still want to be using the space in 10 years time. You might want to check out this handy blog on garden sauna planning permission too.

At Lux Garden Rooms, we specialise in creating energy-efficient outdoor saunas that maximise your wellness investment whilst minimising ongoing costs. We’ve also built a number of garden rooms and offices with attached sauna for the ultimate work and play set up.

Contact us for chat on designing an energy-efficient sauna that fits both your lifestyle and budget.