How Much Does a Sauna Cost to Run?

The health advantages of saunas, which have been known for millennia, range from stress relief to increased blood flow. Though enjoying a sauna in the privacy of your own home or garden seems like a treat, you may be wondering how much it costs to maintain. In this post, we’ll take a look at how much it typically costs to maintain a sauna, both steam and infrared varieties, and provide some suggestions for cutting down on that expense.

What is a Sauna?

A sauna is a small room heated to between 80 and 100 degrees Celsius, usually using an electric sauna heater. Saunas are a popular way to unwind and cleanse the body, with most users sitting or lying down to make the most of the sauna’s heat and humidity. Sauna use is often combined with other methods of improving health and well-being.

What Types of Saunas Are There?

There are many saunas available for use, and the one you choose should be based on your preferences.

• Wood-burning sauna heaters provide the power for traditional Finnish saunas, which primarily employ dry heat and heat rocks to create heat.
• It is also possible to use a dry sauna, which does not add any humidity to the air but still provides a relaxing experience.
• Infrared home saunas come in a range of forms and sizes, including prebuilt saunas, precut sauna kits and bespoke saunas. Infrared heating components are used in these saunas to provide a gentler, gentler heat.

Can You Install a Sauna in Your Home?

A sauna may be built inside your house, the answer is yes. Your investment will depend on the required square footage, heat source type, and output. Materials, installation, permissions, and alterations may all need to be included in at extra expense.

How Does A Home Sauna Work?

The purpose of a private sauna is comparable to that of a public sauna. In a sauna, infrared waves or electric heaters are used to produce heat, which is then distributed uniformly throughout the space. Traditional steam saunas, which are used in certain home settings, call for hot rocks and heated towels to create and sustain the steam.

How Much Does a Sauna Cost to Run?

Depending on the size of the sauna and how powerful the sauna heater is, the annual cost of maintaining a home sauna may range widely. 

The annual running cost of a home sauna can be calculated as follows:

Cost = (Wattage of sauna heater * Hours of use per day * Days per year) / 1000 * Cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour

Where:

• Wattage of sauna heater is the power consumption of the sauna heater in Watts.
• Hours of use per day is the average number of hours the sauna is used each day.
• Days per year is the number of days the sauna is used in a year.
• Cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour is the cost of electricity per unit of energy consumed, typically measured in cents or dollars per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

Example: Wattage of sauna heater = 6000W. 1 hour of use per day. Every day for 1 year. Cost of electricity = $0.12 per kilowatt hour.

Cost = (6000 * 1 * 365) / 1000 * 0.12 = $261.20 per year.

How Much Does the Cost of Electricity Vary State to State?

The cost of electricity may vary from state to state according to the cost of energy, the kind of energy being utilized, and the energy efficiency of the local environment. Generally speaking, power costs are lowest in the Southeastern and Midwestern states.

How much does an electric sauna cost per month?

The size, rated wattage, and local cost of power all affect how much an electric sauna will cost on a monthly basis. It would cost around $25 to $50 per month to operate a modest, 6′ x 4′ sauna with a 6kW heater.

How much does an electric sauna cost per year?

Depending on factors such as sauna size, power output, and energy rates, annual operating costs might be anywhere from $300 to $600. Costs associated with maintaining a sauna’s ideal temperature in the winter may increase as a result.

About the Cost of Pre-Heating a Sauna

Pre-heating a sauna may take anything from a few minutes to an hour or more, depending on the sauna’s size, insulation, and heater. Traditional saunas for two individuals often take about 20 minutes to heat up since they use smaller electric heaters. Larger saunas may take longer, up to 30 minutes.

What other costs does a traditional home sauna include?

The expense of maintaining a classic at-home sauna extends much beyond that of the electricity bill. Maintenance expenses, accessory fees, and cleaning fees are need to be included in. Also, if the sauna has any breakdowns or malfunctions, you will likely be responsible for the associated repair charges.

Maintenance Costs of a Traditional Home Sauna

The cost to maintain a home sauna varies with the number of times used and the specific needs of the unit. A sauna should be cleaned and serviced at least once a year, and its heater and other components may need attention at regular intervals.

Cleaning Fees of a Traditional Home Sauna

A sauna’s upkeep costs are proportional to the frequency with which it is used and cleaned. There may be a higher cleaning cost if you use your sauna more than a few times each week.

Accessory Costs of a Traditional Home Sauna

Prices for sauna extras like stones, lighting, and sound systems may really add up. Incorporating some of these extras into your sauna setup might provide for a more pleasurable and relaxing experience.

Repair Costs

A home sauna’s repair bill might fluctuate widely depending on the condition of the unit and the cost of the necessary replacement components. When a heater stops working properly, the two most expensive parts to replace are the heater itself and any damaged electrical connections.

How to save money running a home sauna

The monthly operating cost of a home sauna may be reduced in a number of ways. The temperature should be lowered, the door should be kept closed, the sauna heater should be cleaned periodically, the usage of sauna accessories should be minimized, and the sauna should be turned off immediately after use.

Infrared Sauna vs Traditional Steam Saunas

It’s possible to choose between infrared and conventional steam saunas as a home sauna option. In order to produce steam and a hot, humid atmosphere, traditional steam saunas require dry heat, usually from wood-burning sauna heaters. On the other side, infrared saunas use infrared heated materials to provide a milder, cooler sauna experience.

Infrared or Traditional Steam sauna?

The benefits of infrared saunas vs ordinary steam saunas depend on the individual’s desire and health. As opposed to traditional saunas, infrared saunas use infrared radiation to produce heat and provide a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere. If you suffer from rheumatism or just want to boost your circulation, a visit to a traditional steam sauna is for you.

Most Frequently Asked Questions

Are saunas expensive to run?

Costs associated with maintaining a sauna range from zero to several hundred dollars a year, depending on factors such as the sauna’s size, power rating, the cost of energy, and any special features you choose. Costs associated with maintaining a sauna are usually manageable, but they may build up over time.

How much does a 2 person sauna cost to run?

How much it costs to operate a 2-person sauna is contingent on factors such as the heater’s size and wattage, as well as the local cost of power. Costs to operate a 2-person sauna typically range from $25 to $50 per month.

How much does it cost to run an outdoor sauna?

Costs associated with maintaining an outdoor sauna vary widely, depending on factors such as sauna style, sauna size, heat source, and local energy rates. The cost to operate a sauna increases in direct proportion to its size and power output, thus a bigger, higher-wattage sauna will cost more to maintain over time.

How much does it cost to run a barrel sauna?

The cost of operating a barrel sauna varies on the kind of sauna, wattage, and the cost of power in the region. In general, the bigger and more powerful the sauna, the more power it will use and the greater the monthly cost of its operation.

How much does an infrared sauna cost to run?

Depending on factors like the infrared sauna’s size and power rating and the local cost of energy, its operating expenses might range widely. A typical infrared sauna might cost anything from 15 cents to over a dollar per hour to use.

How expensive is a sauna to run?

Multiple variables affect how much it will cost to purchase and operate a sauna, including the square footage, power consumption, and degree of personalization you’d want. Though the expenses associated with maintaining a sauna may pile up over time, they are usually manageable for the average household budget.

Conclusion

For ages, people have turned to saunas for stress relief and detoxification, among other physical and mental health benefits. The convenience of having a sauna in your own home or garden is undeniable, but it’s crucial to factor in the ongoing expenses involved. Power consumption varies widely depending on sauna model and wattage, so it’s important to do your homework and weigh all the variables relevant to your circumstance before settling on a sauna. Get in touch with us at Epic Hot Tubs by filling our the form or calling us at 888-884-3742 for specifics on sauna installation and pricing.

We ship saunas throughout the United States and offer assembly throughout NC.

Give us a call at 888-884-3742 or fill out the form to learn more.

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