A sauna in your own home or garden is no longer a luxury; in many households, it has already become part of the everyday furnishings. From a small sauna in the bathroom when space is limited to spacious spa areas with a pool and a relaxation lounger, we enjoy the many benefits of sauna bathing. Custom-equipped with adjustable heat and humidity, aromas and herbs, lighting effects and musical experiences, we can relax in the privacy of our own homes and leave everyday life behind...
If only rising electricity costs weren’t on our minds, making us uneasy and weighing on our wallets. In reality, though, the costs aren’t as high as we might think.
Sauna bathing is cheaper than you might think
Be honest – have you ever paid attention to how much electricity you use without thinking about it when you switch on a light, watch TV for two hours, make toast, sit in front of a computer for hours while working from home, or simply cook some soup? The electricity used by each of these appliances may not seem worth mentioning on its own, but it adds up, as your electricity bill shows.
If we calculate the electricity used for a relaxing two-hour “break” in the sauna, a rough estimate shows that it is relatively low compared with the average household’s energy consumption. Assuming a 9 kW heater, it costs no more than €3-4, depending on the size and features of the sauna. Heating the sauna, which takes around half an hour, uses about as much electricity as the sauna session itself, when the heater is maintaining the desired temperature.
In other words, we can easily make up the roughly €3 cost by skipping a sweet pastry from the bakery. There are also health benefits to sauna bathing, which we enjoy while using the sauna, and for which we spend considerable sums each month on gyms and the like.
Energy consumption is also low when using infrared cabins, since the radiant heat emitters reach full power just seconds after being switched on. Unlike a sauna, an infrared cabin doesn’t require a long warm-up, helping you save energy. This means you can enjoy the infrared warmth and all its positive health benefits whenever you feel like it.
Tips for reducing energy consumption when using the sauna
The size of the sauna and its lighting or music features also affect electricity consumption. The larger the sauna, the longer the heater takes to reach the desired temperature. You can also save energy by using high-quality insulation materials when building your sauna.
To help you relax even more carefree and guilt-free during a feel-good afternoon in your own sauna area, here are a few tips on how you can keep your electricity costs down.
Maintain your sauna heater: Rearrange your sauna stones once a year. If you use the sauna frequently, replace the stones. Make sure the air circulates evenly in the sauna heater. This helps the sauna heat up faster and use less energy.
- Once the heater has reached the desired temperature in the sauna cabin, start your sauna session. Switch off the sauna as soon as you finish your last session. Since the sauna heater retains heat for a while, you could also try switching it off just before your final session.
- Every time you open the door, a rush of warm air escapes. Try to close the sauna door behind you as quickly as possible when going in and out.
- Use the sauna together if you live with other people. Saun-ing together is not only fun; it’s also much more efficient and energy-saving when everyone uses the sauna at the same time.
- Solar panels on your roof can help lower your electricity bills. Using your own electricity for sauna bathing not only makes a difference to your bill at the end of the year, but also helps the environment.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt about it – sauna bathing is balm for body and soul. So why not invest a few euros in your health? After all, the electricity used by a sauna or infrared heating is relatively low compared with average energy consumption.
Start planning your next feel-good afternoon in your own spa area, relaxing on your own or with a friend!