Once you've weighed the health benefits and maintenance routines, the next question is usually the practical one: what will this actually cost to run, and what does my home need to support it?
Here's how sauna and hot tub ownership compare when it comes to monthly energy bills and electrical setup.
Why Hot Tubs Cost More to Run
A hot tub is, in effect, a small heated pool that never really stops working. Even when no one's in it, the heater cycles on to keep hundreds of gallons of water at temperature, and the pump keeps circulating water through the filter. That constant background draw is what drives up the bill.
Most hot tub owners see monthly electricity costs somewhere in the range of $20 to $75, depending on the tub's size, insulation quality, and how consistently it's covered when not in use. Older or poorly insulated models, or tubs running through a cold Ontario winter, tend to land at the higher end — sometimes more.
Why Saunas Cost Less to Run
A sauna works differently: it only draws real power while it's actively heating up and being used. There's no standing water to maintain at temperature around the clock, so the moment you're done with a session and the heater shuts off, the cost stops accumulating.
That difference shows up clearly in the numbers. Electric saunas typically run somewhere between $10 and $30 a month with regular use — for context, a similar order of magnitude to running a hair dryer for the same amount of time, not a major appliance running continuously.
Wood-burning saunas shift that cost differently: there's no electricity draw for heat at all, just the cost of firewood, which for most owners works out to even less per session than electric operation.
Electrical Requirements: What Your Home Needs to Support
This is where the two diverge in terms of upfront planning, not just monthly cost.
Hot tubs almost universally need a dedicated 240V circuit, typically in the 50–60 amp range, hardwired by a licensed electrician with GFCI protection and a disconnect switch nearby. This isn't a project most homeowners attempt themselves, and it often means an electrical panel assessment before the tub even arrives.
Saunas have more flexibility, depending on how they're heated:
- Electric sauna heaters require a dedicated 240V circuit, hardwired by a licensed electrician, sized to the heater's output and your sauna's room volume. There's no standard household plug-in option here — it's a proper electrical installation, though typically a lower amperage draw than a comparable hot tub circuit.
- Wood-burning sauna heaters need no electrical connection at all. They run entirely off-grid, which makes them a strong option for detached backyard saunas or properties where running new electrical service is impractical. What they do need is proper ventilation through a chimney, installed to local building code.
In both cases — hot tub or electric sauna heater — a licensed electrician should confirm your panel has the capacity before installation, and permits are typically required for any new 240V circuit.
What This Means for Your Budget
If you're comparing the two purely on operating cost, saunas come out ahead — both in the modest, session-based way they draw power and in the lighter electrical infrastructure many models require. Hot tubs aren't unreasonably expensive to run, especially with a good cover and efficient insulation, but the constant water heating means the bill adds up in the background whether you're using it or not.
For anyone building a wellness space with an eye on long-term running costs, that's often the deciding factor.
Ready to make saunas part of your daily rituals?
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