How to sauna energy-efficiently

In the ” How to sauna energy-efficient article,” we consider whether to change how we sauna during the energy crisis. Sauna from Finland conducted a survey on Finns’ sauna habits, in which they found out whether Finns’ sauna habits have changed due to the energy crisis.

How to save energy in the sauna?

When and how should you take a sauna if you want to be energy-conscious?

How to sauna energy-efficiently

Before Christmas 2022, Sauna from Finland conducted a study asking whether the energy crisis has affected Finns’ sauna habits. Have Finns reduced the number of sauna sessions to save on electricity bills?

According to the study, Finns take saunas about once a week, almost as usual. The number of sauna sessions had slightly decreased from the beginning of the year compared to the end of the year.

At the beginning of 2022, 55% took saunas once a week, and by the end of 2022, the proportion of people taking saunas once a week had decreased to 47%.

46% of respondents take a sauna in an electric sauna, and 25% take a sauna in a wood sauna.

About one in two said that the price increase had affected the number of sauna sessions. 20% of respondents said that the price increase had a significant impact. 45% of the respondents again noted that the price rise had not affected sauna habits.

However, Finns have learned to take saunas energy-efficiently at home, or some have switched to taking saunas in public saunas such as saunas in swimming pools, hotels or gyms.

The same survey also asked about the health effects of the sauna, and 73% of the respondents were well aware of the health-promoting effects of the sauna, 17% were very familiar with the health effects, and more than half were somehow familiar with the matter.

The answers also revealed that Finns cannot live without a sauna. 42% of respondents said they don’t relax if they can’t get to the sauna. 23% of respondents do not recover from everyday stress without a sauna.

How much does one sauna session cost?

Many have tried calculating how much one sauna session will cost these days. The price of a sauna is affected by many things, such as how much the electricity price or contract price is at that moment. What kind of stove it is, whether a wood-burning stove or an electric stove, what size the stove is and how many watts and stove stones it has all affect the price.

And, of course, how long the sauna is left on and how high the temperature is set affects the price.

You can calculate the price of a sauna session using the calculator below.

Capacity of the sauna heater (kW)

Heating time minutes incl. preheating the sauna

Price per kWh electricity cents

Total costs

The calculator is provided by Sauna Bauer, a company based in Austria.

Heating a two-hour sauna in an electric sauna costs from three euros to up to 15 euros.

Here, I listed a few sauna-related energy-saving tips.

Heat the sauna to just a little over 70 degrees. If you heat the sauna to 100 degrees, it increases energy costs by at least 20%.

Enter the sauna as soon as the sauna is warm. Check how quickly your sauna is ready.

Savings will also come if the whole family saunas with one heating. The best thing is to agree on sauna shifts among the family and go to the sauna as a family or so that you go to the sauna quickly after each other.

In the evening after 20:00 and on weekends, the electricity price is at its lowest; this is called consumption flexibility. Even if your electricity price doesn’t depend on electricity from the stock market, implementing it’s still a good idea. With this, it is possible to prevent electricity shortages. So you should check with your electricity company when the sauna is the cheapest.

Take snow/snowballs to the sauna and make the so-called snowball sauna. Children also like to play with the snow.

The shower water can be adjusted a few degrees lower. After the sauna, it’s good to take a slightly cooler shower. Less after sweat, especially when you rinse your head and hair with cold water.

Try only to take a short shower. Take a shower quickly and efficiently. Changing the shower head to one that saves water would be best.

Turn off the shower while washing. You can turn off the shower while you wash your hair and body.

Remember to check the condition of the stove stones. Stove stones become brittle and sink together over the years. Stove stones that have sunk in the electric stove, in particular, press against the sensors, and the air no longer circulates well. I recommend checking the situation once a year. Replacing and recharging the sauna stones after the hundredth sauna session is a good idea.

Remember that good ventilation guarantees a good sauna.

Get an electric stove that consumes little energy.

I have noticed that in many energy-saving instructions, turning off the heater before finishing the sauna is recommended. However, I do not recommend this because the sauna must dry well.

In the wood sauna, remember the rule to put a few pieces of wood in after finishing the sauna, or, similarly, let the electric heater be on for another 15-20 minutes.