Is a home sauna worth it?
The short answer
A home sauna is worth it if you'd use it often. Public and wild saunas in Ireland charge about €13.50 to €24.96 a session. Two people going twice a week at €18.50 spend over €3,800 a year, more than a 2-person infrared sauna costs, and that sauna costs under €0.81 a session to run.
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The money: home vs public
| Public sauna | Home infrared | Home traditional, 9 kW | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per session, 1 person | €18.50 | €0.81 | €3.81 |
| Cost per session, 2 people | €37.00 | €0.81 | €3.81 |
| Upfront cost | None | From about €2,100 | From about €3,800 |
Public sauna prices are per person; a home sauna's electricity is the same however many of you share it. Home running costs are at 40.64c per kWh for a 2.4 kW infrared cabin and a 9 kW traditional heater.
How long it takes to pay off
Payback time against paying €18.50 per person per session at a public sauna, after electricity:
| Who uses it | 2-person infrared, €2,300 | Garden barrel or cabin, €8,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person, once a week | 2.5 years | 10.5 years |
| 1 person, twice a week | 16 months | 5.2 years |
| 2 people, twice a week | 8 months | 2.3 years |
| 2 people, 3 times a week | 5 months | 19 months |
The garden sauna price is an example within the listed range for barrels and cabins, before any base or electrical work. Those extras lengthen the payback.
Your own payback time
Enter the sauna you're looking at, how many of you would use it and how often.
When it is worth it
- You'd use it at least weekly. Frequent use is what makes the numbers work.
- More than one of you would use it. Each extra person multiplies what you'd otherwise pay at a public sauna.
- There's no public sauna nearby, or getting there takes time you don't have on a weekday evening.
- You have the space. A spare corner indoors for a 1 to 2 person cabin, or a level spot in the garden.
When it may not be
- You'd use it occasionally. At once a month, a public sauna is far cheaper for years.
- You love the social side, the sea swim or the view. A home sauna is quieter, and that isn't for everyone.
- You're renting or likely to move soon. A plug-in infrared cabin can move with you; a garden sauna on a base is harder.
Common questions
Is a home sauna worth the money?
If you would otherwise pay for public sessions often, usually yes. At about €18.50 a session, two people going twice a week spend over €3,800 a year, more than a 2-person infrared sauna costs. If you would use it once a month, it is hard to justify on cost alone.
How long does a home sauna take to pay for itself?
It depends on the price, how many of you use it and how often. A €2,300 infrared sauna shared by two people twice a week pays for itself in under a year against public sessions. A garden sauna takes longer. Try our calculator with your own figures.
Is a home sauna good for your health?
Many people use saunas to relax and recover after exercise. Saunas aren't suitable for everyone, so if you are pregnant, have a heart condition or other medical condition, or take medication, ask your GP first.
Sources
More in costs
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