Running cost calculator, UK
Energy used = power in kW × hours × share of time the heater or chiller is actually on. Cost = energy × your electricity price.
Per use
£1.57
6.0 kWh, at 26.32p per kWh, Ofgem price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026
Enter a power in kW
- Per month
- £20
- Per year
- £245
- Energy per year
- 932 kWh
Upper limit, device at full power the whole time: £2.10 per use, £327 per year.
Per year, by electricity price
Same power and hours, pounds a year, Ofgem price cap
Ofgem: There is no VAT on electricity from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Your cost per use against the 76 UK sauna listings that state their power, same hours and price
Each line is one model at your hours and price, the triangle the median, the dot your device.
Your cost per use against the 64 UK hot tub listings that state their power, same hours and price
Each line is one model at your hours and price, the triangle the median, the dot your device.
Your cost per use against the 5 UK cold plunge listings that state their power, same hours and price
Each line is one model at your hours and price, the triangle the median, the dot your device.
How this is calculated
| Energy per use | 5.31 kW × 1.5 hours × 75% at full power | 6.0 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per use | 6.0 kWh × 26.32p per kWh | £1.57 |
| Energy per year | 6.0 kWh × 3 a week × 52 weeks | 932 kWh |
| Cost per year | 932 kWh × 26.32p per kWh | £245.28 |
Typical use is our assumption, not a measurement; no independent study exists, so the upper limit is shown next to it. Electricity only. Standing charges, water, chemicals, wood, installation and maintenance are not included.
Ofgem price cap, per kWh
26.32p
Price cap now, per kWh, 1 October to 31 December 2026
Ofgem: There is no VAT on electricity from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.
One hour at full power, by device
Median power of the listings that state it, and the cost of one hour at that power at the current price cap.
| Device | Listings with power | Median power | 1 hour now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sauna | 76 of 241 | 5.31 kW | £1.40 |
| Hot tub | 64 of 97 | 3 kW | £0.79 |
| Cold plunge | 5 of 32 | 0.6 kW | £0.16 |
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