Recovery hardware: what it costs to buy, and to keep
Ice baths and saunas are sold on a purchase price. The number that decides whether you keep using one is the annual running cost, and it is almost never in the listing. These guides put both together.
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- CostsWhat an ice bath costs to runChiller electricity worked from your own tariff, plus water, filtration and consumables.
- GuideComparing ice bathsChiller capacity, insulation and filtration, and what separates the price tiers.
- CostsHome sauna costsUnit price, the electrical work most quotes exclude, and the annual running cost.
- ComparisonInfrared vs traditionalHow they differ on installation, power and what the evidence covers.
- GuideContrast therapy: the evidenceWhat the research supports, where it is weak, and what that means before spending.
- ToolWhat fits your space?A short matcher across space, budget, climate and how often you would use it.
Common questions
- How much does an ice bath cost to run in Australia?
- The dominant cost is the chiller running continuously, and it depends on your tariff, your climate and how well insulated the tub is. Rather than quote a national average that will not match your bill, our running-costs guide gives you the formula and shows the working, so you can put your own cents-per-kilowatt-hour figure in. Water, filtration and consumables are on top and are usually left out of comparisons entirely.
- Is a chiller cheaper than buying ice?
- Over any meaningful period, yes, and the crossover comes sooner than most people expect. Bagged ice is a per-session cost that never stops; a chiller is a large one-off plus a modest daily electricity draw. Our running-costs guide sets out how to work out your own break-even point rather than asserting one, because it depends on how often you plunge.
- Do ice baths and saunas have proven health benefits?
- The evidence is mixed and more limited than the marketing suggests, and it differs by claim: some outcomes have reasonable support, others very little. We set out what the research covers on the contrast-therapy page rather than summarising it as a yes or no. Neither of these is a treatment for a medical condition, and we make no health claim for either.
- Do I need an electrician for a home sauna?
- Usually, and it is the cost most often missing from a quote. Many units need a dedicated circuit, and depending on the model and your switchboard that can be a substantial addition. Get an electrician to quote on your specific board before you commit to a unit, not after it arrives.
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