The most common expensive surprise in sauna ownership: the heater needs a dedicated 240V circuit your house doesn't have room for. Check before you order — not after the crate arrives.
| Continuous draw | |
| Minimum breaker (NEC 125% continuous-load rule) | |
| Wire run | |
| Panel headroom verdict |
1. Is there physical space in the panel? A 240V circuit takes a double-pole
breaker — two adjacent slots. Full panel ≠ no options (quad breakers exist), but it adds cost.
2. Is there capacity? Only a licensed electrician's NEC load calculation answers
this definitively — our verdict above is a screening estimate, not a substitute.
3. How far is the run? Distance and trenching (for outdoor saunas) often cost more
than the circuit itself. Get the quote with the run measured, not over the phone.
Verified outdoor saunas and what each one needs → Prices verified against manufacturer stores, re-checked weekly.
This tool provides educational estimates using standard formulas (amps = watts ÷ volts; breakers sized at 125% of continuous load per NEC 210.19/20). It is not electrical advice, and SaunaClear is not an electrician. Always hire a licensed electrician for sizing and installation. Estimating your total project? Feed the electrical figure into the True-Cost Calculator.