Why is electric sauna heating a better option during an energy crisis?
The idea of heating an electric sauna bothers so many sauna owners. The rise in prices is affected by both the war in Ukraine that began in 2022 and the subsequent inflation. Electricity is expensive. Firewood is expensive. After all, which is the more economical alternative to the sauna in terms of consumption?
Energy crisis in sauna heating
This year in particular, energy use and consumption has been a major concern. Everyone is looking for ways to save on their electricity bills without having to compromise on mandatory expenses and comfort. Sometimes the two are easily combined, as in Finnish culture, mandatory comfort is, of course, the sauna. So how profitable is it to heat an electric sauna?
Sauna heating price
The heating of the sauna and its price now worries many and even adds to the unnecessary headache. Right now, even one headache and worry is too much amidst a fluctuating energy economy. So now it’s time to look at the expenses and calculate how to make a visit to the sauna as profitable as possible.
However, the sauna is a place where you wash, enjoy and discuss everything. These are very important things in life that don’t feel right to compromise on.
Ukrainian War
The war in Ukraine has had a considerable impact on the supply of energy in Europe, which has allowed us to witness an increase in the price of electricity as well as in other products. In many European countries, access to gas has also become more difficult, which has made the situation even more difficult.
This situation has meant that the Member States of the European Union are supplied with energy from different sources than in the past, and prices are also different.
Sauna electricity consumption
Electricity production in the Nordic countries is largely based on hydropower, and because dry weather affects the water supply, the price of electricity has become more expensive. However, your own electricity bill is affected by the model of the contract, either the contract is exchange-based (the price varies) or fixed (the price remains the same according to the contract).
For example, if you compare the similar electricity contracts of two different companies (Fortum and Vare), there are differences in prices. Both example contracts are open-ended exchange electricity contracts suitable for a detached house. As can be seen from Fortum’s Tarkka contract , the price is 0.30 c/kWh + exchange price, and in Vare’s Exchange Electricity contract , the price is 0.49 c/kWh + exchange price. Here, too, it is good to remember that the market-based price can become very high or be at a record low. Prices and contracts viewed on the websites of the companies in question on 15.11.2022.
If you look at Fortum’s Takuu contract for detached houses, the price is fixed at 25.56 c/kWh. Here, too, it is good to remember whether it is better for oneself to have a fixed or market-based contract, and that there can be a lot of difference in prices.
Sauna heating with firewood
If the sauna has a wood stove, the heating of the sauna with firewood has become more expensive just like the rest of the energy. The rise in energy prices in 2022 has caused the popularity of wood stoves to rise, but taking into account the rise in prices also in sectors other than electricity, the price of firewood is also tremendously higher than usual.
For example, firewood (softwood) purchased in the Netrauta store is priced at 259.00e (price without discount 300.00e) 1 km³, the amount of which corresponds to 1000 kWh. If you buy directly from the manufacturer, for example, from Klapila , a package of firewood (birch) with a similar weight will cost 384,00e. In Bauhaus , the price of a 40 l package of birch firewood is 11,90e. Since its weight is about 14 kg, the price of 500 kg (the aforementioned packages also 500 kg) would be 425,00e (500 kg x 11,90e : 14 kg).
Electric sauna or wooden sauna – which is better then?
When thinking about which is better: an electric sauna or a wood sauna, it is worth calculating a few options to compare the prices, so that you can see whether the electric sauna heating is worth it or if there is a reason to switch to wood heating. As you can see from the above examples, electricity and wood have different prices and both have risen a lot.
In order to know the heating price of an electric sauna, here we calculate prices of 15, 25 and 40 c/kWh in order to get some idea of the consumption. The calculation takes into account, heating the sauna + going to the sauna, the time of which is two hours, which takes no more than 9 kWh. So these figures are just examples to make it easier to understand the price.
If the sauna has an electric stove:
15 c/kWh x 9 kWh = 1,35e
25 c/kWh x 9 kWh = 2,25e
40 c/kWh x 9 kWh = 3,60e
+ own electricity transmission according to your own contract, which in any case is paid for the electricity consumption of the entire apartment, and not just for the use of the sauna.
If the sauna has a wood stove:
1000 kWh : 9 kWh = 111 kWh
259,00e : 111 kWh = 2,33 e
384,00e : 111 kWh = 3,46 e
425,00e : 111 kWh= 3,83 e
Electric stove vs wood stove is now more of a concern than ever. The sauna can be heated well with both wood and electric stoves, but if you are looking for a more profitable option, then electric sauna heating is better. Although the price of electricity has increased considerably, so has the price of firewood. After all, a wood stove will be more expensive than heating an electric sauna, since the price of electricity, calculated on the whole, is cheaper. Only a few examples of the price of electricity in different companies and a few different wood options have been brought here, so that you can check the differences yourself. Two hours have been spent here during the sauna, so it all depends on how much you use the sauna.
Alternatives to home sauna
However, if the situation seems that a wooden or electric sauna at your home or cottage has to be compromised for a while, there are many options that will help a true sauna lover in need. If possible, use:
- Public saunas (swimming pools, gyms, public saunas, etc.) where you can pay a one-off payment and at the same time enjoy other services.
- A family member’s, acquaintance’s or friend’s saunas together, in which case the costs can be shared.
In order to be able to heat the electric sauna in the future, see our selection of electric heaters here.