How much does a garden sauna cost to run?

A typical 6 kW electric sauna costs about £1.97 a session to run at today's 26.32p per kWh. An infrared cabin costs about £0.53. Over five years, the heater, electrics and base usually cost more than the electricity.

One session

We assume an electric sauna runs for 1.25 hours at full power: about 45 minutes heating up, then an hour in use with the heater cycling on and off. An infrared cabin runs for 1.0 hour. These are our estimates; the calculator below lets you change them.

The sum: 6 kW × 1.25 hours × 26.32p per kWh = £1.97. A kWh (kilowatt hour) is one unit on your electricity bill. Price per unit: the current Ofgem price cap, updated each quarter.

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Wood-fired

Summerhouse24 puts firewood at £80 to £180 a year for regular use. Check the smoke rules first.

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Upkeep

Summerhouse24's cost guide puts outdoor sauna upkeep at £100 to £200 a year. That covers wood treatment for the outside, new sauna stones and small parts. We add £150 a year to outdoor saunas.

Want to compare it with paying for public sessions? See is a garden sauna worth it.