The cost of heating a sauna is less than you think – a typical family sauna heats up for less than 2 dollars
The recent spike in energy prices has probably aroused some concerns for sauna enthusiasts and those considering if a sauna is right for them. And for a good reason, as the sauna is a place to recover, relax and feel good. In light of this, we decided to answer today’s burning questions: how much energy does the typical electric sauna heater consume, and how can you affect the energy consumption of your sauna?
Energy efficient heating
Harvia electric sauna heaters are designed to be moderate in power consumption and optimal in heat generation. The thermostat of the heater regulates the heating elements so that the heater remains at the desired temperature for the whole duration of the sauna session, while being energy efficient at the same time.
When the heater is heating up, it stays on full power for the initial 30-40 minutes. After this, the power output is about 50% of the maximum so that the sauna stays warm. If the sauna is an indoor or bathroom sauna, it can even function as a heat source for your building.
How much energy does the heater consume?
Let's use a regular family sauna with a 6-8 kW heater as an example. A 6 kW heater is suitable for 3-4 people, whereas an 8 kW heater is capable of heating larger saunas.
Typically, a sauna is heated for about an hour, after which the sauna bathing takes place for another hour. In this case, the 6 kW heater consumes about 4–5 kWh during the first hour and 3–4 kWh in the following hour, resulting in a total of 7–9 kWh over the two hours.
As for the more powerful heater, it consumes about 5–7 kWh within the first hour and 4–6 kWh over the second hour. This gives us a total of 9–13 kWh. This is based on a well-insulated sauna with a heater suitable for the sauna’s size.
How much does a sauna session cost me?
The warmth of a sauna is part of everyday life in many places.
In Germany, where electricity costs around €0.38 per kWh, a standard sauna session - including 30 minutes to heat up and 30 minutes of use - consumes 6–8 kWh, putting the cost between roughly €2.30 and €3.40*
In the United States, with electricity averaging $0.17 per kWh, the same session consumes the same energy and costs between $1.00 and $1.50* This makes regular sauna time easy to fit into your routine while keeping energy costs manageable.
Using MyHarvia 2 with compatible heaters helps you stay aware of your sauna’s energy use, track consumption in real time, and adjust sessions with timers or presets, making it easy to enjoy your sauna while keeping energy costs under control.
*sauna heating time also depends on sauna size, materials, glass doors or windows, and heater power.
Even small things can make a big impact for sauna efficiency!
Consider these tips for energy efficient sauna sessions:
Minimize the time that the heater is on. To do so, you should head into the relaxing heat of the sauna as soon as it is hot enough, or even slightly before it and remember to turn it off after your sauna session. You can do this with the help of the MyHarvia 2 application (with compatible heaters).
Another easy way to reduce energy cost is to lower the sauna’s temperature a little bit. Usually good steam is produced already at 70 °C / 158°F.
Make sure the sauna stones are in good shape. Sauna stones erode over time, thus they retain and release less heat. They also shift and settle inside the heater, restricting the air flow that the heater needs to function properly. Check your sauna stones once a year, replace the eroded ones and restack them to let air flow.
Sauna bathing supports a healthy lifestyle and for many it is a safe haven that helps them calm down and relax. With the help of these tips you can enjoy your sauna with peace of mind! These small choices can make a big impact in your energy consumption, and control the cost of your sauna session.
