What power does a sauna need?

A standard Australian 10 amp power point supplies up to about 2.4 kW, and a 15 amp outlet about 3.6 kW. That's enough for many 1 to 2 person infrared saunas, but most traditional electric heaters are 4.5 to 9 kW or more and must be hardwired on a dedicated circuit by a licensed electrician. Larger heaters can need three-phase power.

  • Check your switchboard has spare capacity before you buy.
  • Plan for a chiller too if you're adding a cold plunge.
  • Look for the RCM mark on any heater or infrared unit.

Where should a sauna go?

Indoors: a spare room, garage or bathroom extension works if the floor can get wet (tiles, not carpet), there's room for ventilation, and the walls behind the cabin can handle heat and moisture. A custom indoor sauna needs a vapour barrier behind the insulation.

Outdoors: choose a spot near the house for winter use, with privacy, shade from afternoon sun and a short path to the shower or plunge. Keep clear of overhanging trees and boundary fences, especially with wood-fired heaters.

What base does an outdoor sauna need?

A level, solid base is non-negotiable: a concrete slab, compacted crushed rock with pavers, or a properly built timber deck rated for the weight. Barrel saunas usually sit on cradles that need even support. Allow drainage away from the cabin so timber isn't sitting in water.

How should a sauna be ventilated?

Good ventilation keeps the air fresh and the heat even. The usual approach is an air intake low down near the heater and an outlet higher up on the opposite side, but follow the heater manufacturer's layout exactly. Infrared cabins need less, but still need airflow.

Do you need council approval for a sauna?

Small outbuildings are often exempt from building permits in many states, but limits on floor area, height and distance from boundaries differ by state and council, and heritage overlays or bushfire zones can change the answer. Wood-fired heaters may also have flue and fire-safety rules. Check with your local council before ordering, and keep the answer in writing.

How big a heater do you need?

Heater makers commonly size heaters at roughly 1 kW per cubic metre of sauna room, adding about 1.2 cubic metres for every square metre of glass, tile or uninsulated wall, which all soak up heat. Always use the manufacturer's own sizing chart for the final choice.

Heater size estimate

Can the sauna actually get to your site?

Measure gates, side paths and stairs before ordering. Prefabricated cabins and barrel saunas arrive in large, heavy sections, and some need a hiab truck or crane. Ask the supplier for the largest single piece's dimensions and weight, and whether assembly is included.

Questions people ask

Do you need an electrician to install a sauna?

For most traditional electric heaters, yes. They need a dedicated hardwired circuit installed by a licensed electrician. Many small infrared saunas plug into a standard 10 amp outlet instead.

What size heater does a sauna need?

A common rule of thumb is about 1 kW per cubic metre of room, plus extra for glass, tile or uninsulated walls. Use the heater manufacturer's sizing chart for the final choice.

Do I need council approval for an outdoor sauna?

Often not for small structures, but rules on size, height, boundary distance, heritage and bushfire zones vary by state and council. Check with your council before ordering.

Can you put a sauna on grass?

No. A sauna needs a level, solid, well-drained base such as a concrete slab, pavers on compacted rock, or a rated timber deck.

How much ventilation does a sauna need?

Typically an intake low near the heater and an outlet high on the opposite side, but always follow the heater manufacturer's layout.