Electric Saunas

An electric sauna heats by means of an electric heater fitted with a chamber of sauna stones above the heating elements. When the heater is switched on, the elements warm the stones, and the stones in turn radiate heat into the cabin, bringing the sauna up to your preferred bathing temperature. Depending on the style of sauna bathing you enjoy, temperatures can range from a gentle, restorative heat through to the intense high-heat experience of a traditional Finnish sauna, often exceeding 100 degrees Celsius. Modern electric heaters can be controlled from a panel inside the cabin, from a wall-mounted controller, or in many cases from a smartphone app.

Most electric saunas reach temperature in 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the cabin volume, the heater output, the starting temperature of the room or the temperature outside. A 6kW heater will warm a small two to three person cabin comfortably. Larger family-sized cabins generally need a 8kW to 10.5kW heater, and very large cabins may require 12kW or more. We always size the heater to the cabin so the sauna comes up to temperature reliably without overworking the elements.

Running costs depend on three things: the kW rating of your heater, the length of your sessions, and the electricity tariff you are on. As a working example, a 6kW heater drawing full power for a one-hour session uses 6 kWh of electricity. At a UK domestic tariff of around 27p per kWh, that works out at roughly £1.62 per session. In practice, heaters cycle on and off once the cabin reaches temperature, so real-world consumption is typically 20 to 30 percent lower than the rated draw. Most of our customers find running costs sit between £1 and £2.50 per session for a domestic cabin used a few times a week.

Yes. All of the electric sauna heaters we supply are designed to take water on the stones, just as a wood fired stove would. This is essential to authentic Finnish bathing, since löyly is what makes the room come alive. Use a wooden ladle, pour a small amount of water (a ladleful at a time) onto the stones, and let the steam rise. Avoid pouring water directly onto the heater housing or controls, and never pour water onto the elements themselves through the gaps between stones. As long as you stay on the stones, you can löyly as often as you like.

No. An electric sauna has no flame and no combustion, so there is nothing to vent. This is one of the main practical reasons customers choose electric over wood fired, particularly for indoor installations or for outdoor saunas in tight gardens, near boundaries or under trees. Electric saunas do still need passive air vents (an inlet near the floor by the heater and an outlet on the opposite wall) to keep the air in the cabin fresh and the heater drawing properly, but these are small grilles, not flues.

Most electric sauna heaters in the UK require a hardwired electrical connection rather than a standard 13A plug socket. The majority of our electric sauna collection is designed to operate from a single-phase power supply, which is the standard electrical setup found in most UK homes. Larger sauna heaters, specified in our larger barrel saunas and cabins, require a three-phase supply.

All electrical installation work should be carried out by a qualified Part P electrician.You can find all sauna heater installation manuals on the relevant product page. We recommend supplying these to your electrician in advance so they can accurately specify and quote for the installation works prior to delivery.

Yes, provided the heater is correctly installed and the cabin is used as intended. Modern electric sauna heaters are built to demanding safety standards, with overheat cut-outs, fixed clearances to combustible surfaces, and casings designed to keep the elements out of direct contact. The hardwired electrical connection must be carried out by a qualified electrician, working to current UK wiring regulations. Inside the cabin, the safety practicalities are straightforward: keep flammable materials clear of the heater, do not cover the stones, do not exceed the manufacturer's session times, and supervise children at all times. Used correctly, an electric sauna is no more hazardous than any other domestic appliance.