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Running cost is one of the first questions people ask about a home sauna. The answer depends on three things: the heater’s power rating, how long it runs at full power, and what you pay per unit of electricity.
The formula
Power (kW) × hours at full power × unit rate (£ per kWh) = cost
We use the Ofgem price cap average for electricity paid by Direct Debit from 1 October to 31 December 2026: 26.32p per kWh. Ofgem resets the cap every three months, and your own rate depends on your region, tariff and payment method; it’s on your bill.
How much does it cost to run a sauna for an hour?
The table shows the cost of one hour with the heater drawing its full listed rating, and a yearly figure for three such hours a week (156 hours). Infrared ratings come from retailers’ published specifications (read 4 November 2026); traditional ratings are typical heater sizes from published specifications for SaunaPlunge models (read 3 November 2026).
| Model or heater | Type | Listed rating | One hour at full power | 156 hours a year at full power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravity Wellness Hemlock Aura Pod | Infrared, indoor, 1 person | 1.45 kW | £0.38 | £59.54 |
| Gravity Wellness Hemlock Core I | Infrared, indoor, 1 person | 1.65 kW | £0.43 | £67.75 |
| Gravity Wellness Hemlock Series II / Edge II | Infrared, indoor, 2 person | 1.75 kW | £0.46 | £71.85 |
| SaunaPlunge Yorkshire Cabin 2-person | Infrared, outdoor | 2.22 kW | £0.58 | £91.15 |
| Insignia 2 Person Outdoor | Infrared, outdoor | 2.8 kW | £0.74 | £114.97 |
| Typical small traditional heater | Traditional, 4.5 kW | 4.5 kW | £1.18 | £184.77 |
| Typical medium traditional heater | Traditional, 6 kW | 6 kW | £1.58 | £246.36 |
| Typical large traditional heater | Traditional, 8 kW | 8 kW | £2.11 | £328.47 |
Calculated at 26.32p/kWh. These are ceilings, not session costs: once a sauna reaches temperature its thermostat cycles the heater on and off. Standing charges aren’t included because you pay them anyway.
Are infrared saunas expensive to run?
Compared with a traditional heater, usually not. At 26.32p/kWh, a 1.75 kW two-person infrared cabin costs at most about £0.46 for an hour at full power; a 6 kW traditional heater costs up to £1.58. Gravity Wellness lists its two outdoor cabins at “up to 4.5 kW when combining elements”, which would be up to £1.18 an hour with everything on, so check how the model you’re considering is normally run.
What changes the real cost
- Warm-up. Traditional saunas heat the air to much higher temperatures, so they typically take longer to warm up than infrared cabins. Ask the retailer for the model’s warm-up time.
- Outdoors in winter. A garden sauna starts from a colder temperature in winter and loses more heat through its walls, so expect more heater time than indoors.
- How long you stay in, and how often. Multiply your own pattern by the hourly ceiling to get a worst case.
- Your tariff. Time-of-use tariffs can make evening sessions cheaper or dearer.
Comparing types? See infrared vs traditional sauna. Checking whether your house can supply it? See sauna electrical requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an infrared sauna in the UK?
At the 26.32p/kWh price cap, about £0.38–£0.74 for an hour at full power for infrared cabins rated 1.45–2.8 kW. Real sessions often cost less because the thermostat cycles the heater.
Is an infrared sauna cheaper to run than a traditional sauna?
Per hour at full power, yes: infrared cabins are usually rated well below the 4.5–8 kW of traditional heaters. A 6 kW heater costs up to £1.58 an hour at the current cap.
Does the cost change during the year?
Yes. Ofgem updates the price cap every quarter, and an outdoor sauna works harder in cold weather. Recalculate with the rate on your own bill.
- Ofgem, “Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges”, 1 October to 31 December 2026: electricity 26.32p per kWh by Direct Debit, average across England, Scotland and Wales, ofgem.gov.uk (read 3 November 2026).
- Gravity Wellness product pages for the Hemlock Aura Pod, Core I, Series II, Edge II and Outdoor Infrared Retreat and Sanctuary, gravitywellness.co.uk (read 4 November 2026).
- Outdoor Living 365, SaunaPlunge Yorkshire Cabin 2-person product page, outdoorliving365.co.uk (read 4 November 2026); SaunaPlunge Pennine, Brontë and Yorkshire Cabin specifications (read 3 November 2026).
- Heracles Wellness, Insignia 2 Person Outdoor Infrared Sauna product page, heracleswellness.co.uk (read 4 November 2026).
General information, not financial or professional advice.