Getting the power sorted is the one job you can't do yourself when installing a sauna. In Australia, fixed electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Here's what's involved, so you can plan ahead and get accurate quotes.
Why saunas are hardwired
A full-size sauna draws far more power than a normal power point is designed to supply continuously. Instead of a plug, the sauna is connected directly to its own circuit. For example:
- Chill Bunny 4 Person Outdoor Infrared Sauna: 25A cable, hardwired to an isolator, 5,890W
- Chill Bunny 4 Person Outdoor Traditional Sauna: hardwired 29A supply, 6.8kW Harvia heater
- Chill Bunny 4 Person Indoor Infrared Sauna: 21A supply, hardwired, 4,850W
Always check the spec sheet for your exact model and share it with your electrician.
What the electrician will do
- Check your switchboard has the capacity and physical space for a new circuit with the right safety switch protection.
- Run a dedicated circuit from the switchboard to the sauna location, using cable sized for the load and the distance.
- Install an isolator near the sauna so the power can be switched off safely for maintenance.
- Connect and test the sauna, and issue a compliance certificate for the work.
What affects the cost
Where the sauna goes
A garage or carport next to the switchboard is the simplest job. A backyard spot away from the house usually needs underground cable, which means trenching. That's typically the biggest single cost.
Distance from the switchboard
Longer runs need more cable, and often heavier cable to keep voltage drop in check. Very long runs may call for a sub-board.
Your switchboard
Modern boards with spare space are ideal. Full boards may need re-arranging, and older boards with ceramic fuses often need upgrading before a new circuit can be added.
Where you live
Labour rates vary between cities and regional areas.
Get a ballpark in 60 seconds
We built a free electrical estimate into every Chill Bunny sauna page. Answer five quick questions (location, distance, ownership, switchboard and state) and you'll see an indicative range plus the spec sheet to send your electrician. It's a guide, not a quote, so always get a quote from a licensed electrician.
Tips before your sauna arrives
- Book your electrician early, especially in the lead-up to Christmas.
- Mark the exact install spot so the isolator goes in the right place.
- If you rent, get written approval from your landlord first.
- Ask your electrician to confirm the cable route before any trenching starts.
FAQs
Can I plug a sauna into a normal power point?
Not a full-size sauna like ours. They need a dedicated hardwired circuit installed by a licensed electrician.
Can Chill Bunny recommend an electrician?
Yes. Send us your estimate from the sauna page, or call 0400 767 493, and we'll point you in the right direction.