So your new outdoor sauna has arrived — exciting times. Before you fire it up for that first session, there's one crucial step that should never be skipped: having a qualified electrician handle the electrical connection. Here's everything you need to know about why it matters, what the process looks like, and exactly what to say when you call one.
Outdoor electric sauna heaters typically draw between 6kW and 18kW of power. This is not a job for a standard plug socket — and attempting a DIY connection is not only dangerous, it could invalidate your home insurance and your sauna warranty.
Why an electrician is non-negotiable
We know it's tempting to try to do things yourself — especially when you're eager to get relaxing. But your outdoor sauna heater is a high-power appliance operating in a wet, outdoor environment. That combination demands professional installation, and here's why:
- ✓Electric sauna heaters require a dedicated circuit — they cannot share a circuit with other appliances
- ✓Outdoor installations must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations in the UK, which legally requires certified professionals
- ✓Moisture and electricity are a dangerous combination — proper IP-rated weatherproof fittings are essential
- ✓An incorrect installation can cause electrical fires, trips, or worse — and your insurer won't pay out without a professional certificate
- ✓Most sauna manufacturers, including our Dakam range, require proof of professional installation to honour the warranty
What does the installation process look like?
Once you've found a qualified electrician (look for someone registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or a member of the SELECT scheme in Scotland), here's roughly what will happen:
Site assessment
The electrician will visit and assess the distance from your consumer unit (fuse box) to the sauna, checking cable routing options and whether your current setup can support the load.
Cable supply and sizing
Your electrician will supply and install all of the cabling needed — you don't need to source this yourself. The cable size is determined by the kilowatt rating of your heater, so simply let them know the kW output and they'll specify the correct gauge automatically.
As a general guide, a 6kW heater typically requires 6mm² armoured cable, while larger heaters of 9kW and above may require 10mm² cable or a three-phase supply. Your electrician will confirm the right spec for your exact model.
Dedicated circuit from fuse box to heater
A new circuit will be run directly from your consumer unit to the sauna — this cable run is fully supplied and installed by the electrician as part of the job. No cable needs to come with the sauna itself.
RCD protection and isolator switch
A residual current device (RCD) is fitted for safety, along with a local isolator switch near the sauna — essential for quick shutdown and required by regulations for outdoor installations.
Weatherproof connections
All outdoor connections will be made using IP65-rated or higher waterproof enclosures, protecting against rain and moisture ingress.
Testing, sign-off and certification
The installation is tested to BS 7671 (the UK Wiring Regulations) and you'll receive an Electrical Installation Certificate — keep this safe for your insurance records and warranty.
You don't need to worry about sourcing or specifying cable — this is the electrician's job. Just tell them the kW rating of your heater (you'll find this on the product page or in your Dakam documentation) and they will select, supply, and install the correct cable for the run from your fuse box to the heater.
Typical technical specs to share with your electrician
What to say when you call an electrician
Not sure how to explain the job? Don't worry — you don't need to be an expert. The one piece of information you should have to hand is the kW rating of your heater, as this determines everything from cable size to circuit breaker rating. Here's a simple script you can use:
"Hi, I'm looking to get an outdoor electric sauna heater connected at my property. It's a [X]kW heater — I can send you the full spec sheet. I'll need a new dedicated circuit run from my consumer unit to the sauna cabin in the garden, which is approximately [X] metres away. You would be supplying and installing the cable for that run. The installation will need to be to Part P regulations with a weatherproof outdoor isolator switch and RCD protection. Could you come out to take a look and give me a quote? I'll also need an Electrical Installation Certificate on completion."
Key questions to ask your electrician
- ?Are you registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or an equivalent approved body?
- ?Will you be able to provide a full Electrical Installation Certificate on completion?
- ?Do you have experience with outdoor and garden building electrical installations?
- ?Is my existing consumer unit sufficient to add a new high-load circuit, or will it need upgrading?
- ?What cable and enclosure rating will you be using for the outdoor run?
How much will it cost?
Electrical installation costs vary considerably depending on your property layout, the distance from your consumer unit to the sauna, your local area, and the kW rating of your heater. As a rough ballpark, many customers find prices in the region of £150 to £500 for a straightforward installation — though this can be higher depending on the complexity of the job.
We always recommend getting at least two or three quotes. A good electrician will want to visit the site before quoting — be cautious of anyone who gives a firm price without seeing the job first.
Please note: the figures above are intended as a general guide only. Electrician pricing varies significantly by region, installer, and the specifics of each property. Dakam cannot guarantee that you will find an electrician within this range, and we recommend using comparison sites or local trade directories to gather your own quotes.