Can you put an infrared sauna in your home? Space, floors and power
Most homes have room for an infrared sauna. It needs far less than a garden sauna: no base to lay, no heavy-duty heater and no planning to think about. Here's what to check before you order.
The short answer: usually, yes. You need a dry indoor room, a solid and level floor, enough space for the cabin and its door, a ceiling comfortably above the cabin, and a suitable power supply nearby. Our 2-minute room check runs through all of it.
Which rooms work best?
- Spare rooms and bedrooms: dry, quiet and close to a shower.
- Home gyms and studios: ideal if you like a session after training.
- Loft rooms: fine if the ceiling is high enough where the cabin will stand.
- Garages and garden rooms: these can work well, as long as the space stays dry and doesn't get damp or freezing.
Avoid bathrooms, wet rooms and anywhere water could splash onto the cabin or its electrics. A room with normal ventilation is all you need.
How much space do you need?
Every Orb™ stands 195cm tall. The footprints are:
| Model | Seats | Footprint (W × D) |
|---|---|---|
| The Orb™ | 1 | 101 × 101cm |
| The Orb™ Plus | 2 | 125 × 100cm |
| The Orb™ Max | Up to 3 | 139.4 × 100cm |
Add room in front for the door to open, and leave a small gap around the cabin rather than pushing it tight against the walls. Follow the clearances in the manual for your model.
Check the ceiling height
Measure from the floor to the lowest point above where the cabin will stand, including beams, light fittings and sloping ceilings. A standard UK ceiling of around 2.4m gives plenty of room above a 195cm cabin.
Carpet or hard floor?
A hard, level floor is best: tiles, vinyl, laminate, wood or concrete. Many manufacturers advise against standing a cabin directly on carpet, because it can trap moisture and make it harder to keep the cabin level. If your spot is carpeted, ask us before you order and we'll confirm what's suitable for your model.
What power supply does it need?
Infrared saunas use much less power than a traditional sauna heater. The Orb™ range is rated from 1,860W to 2,140W, compared with 4kW to 10.8kW for our outdoor saunas. Even so, a sauna draws that power steadily for an hour or more, so the supply needs to be right:
- We'll confirm the exact supply your Orb™ model needs before you order.
- Never run a sauna from an extension lead or a multi-plug adaptor.
- If you need a new circuit or a fused spur, have it installed by a registered electrician. In England and Wales, a new circuit is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations, and a registered electrician can certify it for you.
What does it cost to run?
Very little. At the Ofgem price cap average of 26.32p per kWh (Oct–Dec 2026), a one-hour session including a 15-minute warm-up, with the panels at full power, costs about 61p in The Orb™, 65p in The Orb™ Plus and 70p in The Orb™ Max. In practice it's often lower, and your own tariff will change the figure.
Getting it into the room
Measure the route from your front door to the room: hallways, stairs, landings and any tight corners. Note the narrowest point and add it to the room check, and we'll confirm the delivery sizes for your model before it arrives. Delivery is £149 to England and Wales, £249 to mainland Scotland and £349 to Northern Ireland. Get an estimate for your postcode.
Do you need planning permission?
No. An indoor sauna is a piece of furniture rather than a building, so planning permission doesn't apply. The electrical work is the part to get right. If your home is listed, check with your council before any work that alters the building, such as a new circuit.
Ready to check your room? Take the 2-minute room check, read how to use an infrared sauna, or explore The Orb™ collection.
