The cost of power for a standard 2-person, 2.2 kWh sauna is $0.15 for every 20 minutes, $1.85 per month, and $22.18 annually. First-year purchase, installation, and upkeep will total about $5,297, with extra accessories costing an average of $78. Reduce the heat level and frequently clean your steam room to cut expenses. Please continue reading to see how much power a normal home spa uses, how much it costs to run a sauna heater monthly or annually, and how to save money!

How much does it cost to run a small sauna?

The size, quality of insulation, frequency of use, and kind of cabin (electric, wood-burning, or infrared) all affect how much it costs to operate a steam room. Based on normal energy rates and power consumption, the cost to run an electric sauna ranges from $0.20 to $0.50 per hour.

Steam rooms that burn wood may be less expensive to run, but they do need wood to be regularly purchased and stored. Because they use less energy, infrared baths usually have lower running costs, averaging between $0.10 and $0.20 per hour. Running a hot tub is generally not too expensive, especially if you use energy-efficient models and exercise caution when using them.

What is a sauna?

A sauna is usually a small area heated to between 80 and 100 degrees Celsius, generally using an electric steam heater. People usually sit or lie down to completely feel the warmth and dampness of the steam room, making it a popular method of rest and cleansing. Infrared treatments are sometimes combined with other wellness techniques to improve general well-being and energy.

What Kinds of Saunas Exist?

A lot of saunas are available for use; the one you choose should suit your tastes.

• Usually, Finnish saunas use wood-burning steam heaters to dry heat fragments until they reach the right temperature.
• As an alternative, dry saunas provide a moisture-free atmosphere that guarantees peace of mind without raising the air’s humidity.
• Infrared home spas use infrared heating components to produce a softer and more comforting heat treatment. They come in a variety of forms, including already-built bathrooms, already-cut bath kits, and customizable alternatives.

See more: How to Wash a Sauna Suit (To Avoid Itching & Smell)

Can you install a sauna in your home?

It is completely possible to build a sauna in your home; however, the cost will depend on several factors, including the amount of space required, the kind of heat source used, and the spa’s output. Materials, installation, obtaining permits, and any required space modifications might result in additional costs.

How Do You Use a Home Sauna?

The goal of a private bath is the same as that of a public bath. Infrared radiation or electric heaters are used in spas to provide heat distributed equally across the space. Hot rocks and warm towels are used to create and maintain steam in certain residential arrangements that employ classic steam baths.

What is the running cost of a sauna?

The yearly maintenance fee for a residential bath might differ greatly depending on the sauna’s dimensions and the heater’s results. You can calculate the annual cost of running a home spa using the formula below:

Price is equal to (wattage of sauna heater * daily usage hours * number of days in a year) / 1000 * cost of energy per kilowatt-hour.

In contrast:

• The power rating of spa heaters indicates how many watts of power they use.
• The daily use hours indicate how long individuals usually spend in the spa daily.
• The number of days in a year that the spa is utilized is indicated in terms of days per year.
• Electricity costs per unit of energy used are expressed as cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and are commonly expressed in cents or dollars.

Example: A 6000W infrared heater used for one hour every day for a year, with an electricity cost of $0.12 per kilowatt-hour:

Cost: ($261,20) / ($1000, * 365) = 6000 * 1. * 365.

How Much Does Every State’s Electricity Cost Differ?

States may have different electricity costs because of things like energy prices, the kind of energy used, and environmental efficiency in the area. States located in the Southeast and Midwestern areas of the USA often have the lowest power costs.

Cost per month

An electric sauna’s monthly operating costs differ depending on its size, rated power, and the cost of power in the area. For example, maintaining a 6′ x 4′ small spa with a 6kW heater may cost you $25 to $50 every month.

Cost per year

The annual running costs of a sauna can range from $300 to $600, based on factors such as bath size, electricity usage, and electric costs. Keeping the steam room at its ideal temperature in the winter months might also result in higher expenses.

The expense of running a traditional home sauna

Several factors influence the total operating cost of a traditional home sauna. But let’s concentrate on some particular use metrics: three sessions a week (12 times a month), with 20 minutes each, for a total of 144 sessions a year. With a 2.2 kWh energy need, the total cost of operating a standard 2-person home spa using these statistics comes out to 15 cents for every twenty minutes, $1.85 per month, and $22.18 annually.

The calculations must account for 15 minutes of preparation. This is the order: The cost of each session is equal to kilowatts [(kW) x (35/60)] x ($0.12). The monthly cost may then be calculated by multiplying the cost per session by the number of sessions in a month. To get the yearly cost, multiply the cost for each month by the number of months in a year.

What other costs come with a traditional home sauna?

Traditional home sauna extra expenses might vary according to installation, upkeep, and accessory purchases, among other things. The following are the actions to think about while determining these costs:

First Purchase and Installation:

• Find out how much the sauna unit will cost. Depending on its size, materials, and functions, it can cost anywhere from a few dollars to several thousand dollars.
• Include expert labor for installation, electrical work, and space modification in your installation costs. Depending on the installation’s intricacy and local labor costs, this might vary significantly.

Usage of electricity:

• Calculate how much electricity it will cost each month to run the spa heater. This may be computed using the heater’s wattage, the number and length of spa sessions, and the cost of power in the area. As was previously said, take preheating time into account as well.

Maintenance:

• Consider the cost of substitute parts (such as heating elements and bath rocks) and cleaning materials, as well as any expert services that may be needed in the future. Depending on the quality and state of the spa equipment, this price may change.

Extras:

• Determine whether any other features, including seats, lighting, music systems, or fragrance options, are needed for the bathhouse. Examine the price of these add-ons and include them in the overall cost.

Winter Operating Expenses:

• Because the sauna may need extra power to keep its temperature in a colder climate, take into account possible increases in running expenses during the winter months.

You may better understand the overall costs related to owning and running a typical home sauna by taking these measures into account.

Do wood- or gas-burning home saunas have lower costs than electric ones?

Depending on several variables, home spas that burn wood or gas may have cheaper running expenses than those that use electricity. Bathrooms that burn wood or gas may have lower constant costs, but they usually have a larger initial expenditure because of the fuel and heating devices. In the long term, gas heaters are a more cost-effective choice since natural gas costs are frequently much cheaper than those of electricity.

Wood-burning saunas can also be more affordable, particularly if the wood is easily obtained at a reduced price or is sourced responsibly. When comparing the overall cost-effectiveness of wood- or gas-burning cabins to electric ones, it’s crucial to take into account variables like maintenance needs, fuel availability, and environmental issues.

What is a cheaper way to operate a home sauna?

The following quick actions can help you run a home sauna more easily:

• Optimize Usage: To reduce the amount of power used, keep sauna sessions to the necessary lengths and frequencies.
• Effective Heating: Minimize the amount of time spent heating by arranging sessions ahead of time to prevent overheating.
• Energy-Efficient Heater: To gradually reduce power expenses, make an investment in an energy-efficient cabin heater.
• Frequent Maintenance: Maintain the sauna properly to guarantee peak performance and save on expensive repairs.
• Insulation: To save energy and better maintain heat, upgrade the insulation surrounding the sauna.
• Use Off-Peak Hours: To reduce total expenses, utilize the benefit of off-peak power prices for spa usage.
• Group Sessions: Combine jacuzzi sessions with family or close friends to reduce individual usage durations and increase efficiency.

These are some practical ways to cut costs while still getting the benefits of having a home spa.

Conclusion

Throughout history, people have been attracted to spas for their many health advantages, such as stress relief and detoxification. Although having a steam room in your backyard or at home is convenient, you should take the recurring expenses into account. Depending on the sauna type and wattage, power consumption can vary greatly, which emphasizes the significance of doing extensive research and taking into account all pertinent factors before investing.

See more: Sauna vs Hot Tub for Sore Muscles ( Which One Is Better?)

FAQs

The most frequently asked questions are given below:

How much does a sauna cost to run?

Temperatures between 80°C and 100°C are most commonly used, with the lower half of that range being more appropriate for family baths and offering the most comfort. Given that it takes an hour for the spa to reach its desired temperature, 6 Kwh, or 15 pence per kWh on average, equates to 90 pence.

Do saunas use a lot of electricity?

Usually, the burner is left on for an additional hour after the steam room has been heated for around one hour. A 6-kilowatt heater in this instance uses 4-5 kilowatt hours in its initial hour and 3–4 kilowatt hours in the second. The heater uses around 7-9 kilowatt hours in total over two hours.

How much electricity does a one-person sauna use?

A sauna’s power consumption varies according to its kind and usage frequency. The average power use of an infrared sauna is normally between 1 and 2 kW per hour, but a regular bathhouse might consume anywhere from 4 to 8 kilowatts.

See more: Does the Outdoor Sauna Need Insulation? (Pre-Built and Custom Options)