How Much Does It Cost to Run an Electric Sauna Heater in the UK? (2026)
Sauna heaters are among the most powerful appliances in a home, drawing 4.5 to 9 kW while heating. A one hour session including warm-up uses 6 to 10 kWh, similar to a full day of air conditioning.
A typical electric sauna heater (6,000 W) costs £1.58 per hour, or about £47.38 per month at 1 hour a day in the UK. Expensive to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low 3,000 W | £0.79 | £0.79 | £23.69 | £288.20 |
| Typical 6,000 W | £1.58 | £1.58 | £47.38 | £576.41 |
| High 9,000 W | £2.37 | £2.37 | £71.06 | £864.61 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 1 h/day ≈ 2,190 kWh per year.
One hour of an electric sauna heater (6.0 kWh) is the same electricity as
- 2.0dryer loads
- 60kettle boils
- 133hours of a laptop
- 667hours of an LED bulb
In the UK, with electricity at 26.3p per kWh (source: Ofgem price cap 1 Oct–31 Dec 2026, 2026-10), a typical electric sauna heater costs £1.58 per hour and about £576.41 per year at 1 hour a day. Each £1.00 of electricity buys roughly 0.6 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running an electric sauna heater
- Preheat for 30 to 45 minutes, not longer. Well-insulated saunas reach temperature quickly.
- Keep the door closed and the vent adjusted.
- Use the sauna in shorter sessions with the heater cycling on its thermostat.
Is an efficient electric sauna heater worth it?
Traditional electric sauna stove, 6 kW: about 2,190 kWh a year. Infrared cabin, 1.8 kW, short warm-up: about 493 kWh. The difference is worth £446.65 a year in the UK.
- Replacing one that still works pays back in 5.6 years.
- When yours needs replacing anyway, the extra cost of the efficient model pays back in 5.6 years.
Usage assumed: one session a day. Typical prices: £2,500 for the efficient model, £2,500 more than a basic one. Work it out with your own prices
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a sauna for an hour?
About 6 kWh for a typical 6 kW heater including warm-up. Pick your region.
Are infrared saunas cheaper to run?
Yes, typically 1.5 to 2 kW and little preheat, so about a third of the cost.
How much does a sauna add to the monthly bill?
Three sessions a week at 6 kWh each is about 80 kWh a month.
Compare with
Cost by region
US states
- Alabama
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- Florida
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- Hawaii
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- Illinois
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- Tennessee
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- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Canadian provinces
Related appliances
- Electric Lawn Mower (Corded or Battery)1,200 W typical
- Electric Pressure Washer1,800 W typical
- Infrared Sauna1,800 W typical
- Electric Grill or Griddle1,600 W typical
Use the generic electricity cost calculator · Which uses more? Take the quiz