Salons are steady but often high energy users due to the regular use of hairdryers, styling tools, heated water, lighting, air conditioning, and washing equipment. Long opening hours and high-powered electrical appliances make electricity the dominant cost, with gas often used only for heating and hot water. Our data-rich guide explains how much salons typically pay per month and why usage varies across hair, beauty, and spa-focused businesses.
Typical monthly energy costs for salon businesses
Most salons in the UK spend between £250 and £1,400 per month on energy, depending on size, equipment mix, number of styling stations, and opening hours.
Typical monthly spend by salon type
| Salon type | Electricity (kWh/month) | Gas (kWh/month) | Monthly electricity cost | Monthly gas cost | Total estimated monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small boutique hair salon (1–3 chairs) | 800–2,000 | 200–800 | £170–£450 | £20–£70 | £200–£520 |
| Mid-size hair salon (4–8 chairs) | 2,000–4,500 | 300–1,200 | £420–£950 | £25–£110 | £450–£1,050 |
| Beauty salon / nail studio | 1,200–3,500 | 200–700 | £250–£740 | £20–£60 | £300–£800 |
| Barber shop (3–6 chairs) | 1,500–3,000 | 100–600 | £315–£630 | £15–£55 | £330–£685 |
| Spa or wellness salon | 3,500–7,500 | 1,200–3,000 | £740–£1,580 | £110–£260 | £850–£1,400 |
Assumptions used:
- Electricity unit rates: 21–24p/kWh
- Gas unit rates: 6.5–8.2p/kWh
- Standing charges: 45–70p/day (electricity) and 27–45p/day (gas)
Where salons use the most energy
Salons rely on consistent electricity use across multiple appliance types.
| Equipment / usage type | Typical share of total energy consumption | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Styling tools (dryers, straighteners, curling tools) | 25–40% | High-power electrical devices, often in constant use. |
| Water heating (gas or electric) | 15–25% | Shampooing, treatments, spa baths, laundry. |
| Lighting (task and display) | 15–25% | Bright lighting needed for colouring and styling accuracy. |
| Air conditioning and heating (HVAC) | 10–20% | Long opening hours increase usage in both summer and winter. |
| Laundry (towels, gowns, spa linen) | 5–10% | Washing machines and tumble dryers, especially in spas. |
| Reception, Computers, POS | 2–4% | Minor load but always on. |
Impact of salon type on energy use
Different types of salon businesses have unique energy profiles.
| Salon type | Energy usage pattern | Cost impact |
|---|---|---|
| Hair salons | High-power blow-dryers, straighteners, hot water | Medium to high |
| Nail studios | Lower heat usage, moderate lighting, ventilation | Low to medium |
| Barber shops | Regular hairdryers, less water and laundry | Low |
| Beauty salons | Wax pots, UV lamps, steamers, heated beds | Medium |
| Spa and wellness | Hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, constant hot water | High to very high |
Spa businesses can spend 35–60% more than standard hair salons due to hot water and heating requirements.
Electricity vs gas use in salons
| Salon type | Electricity heavy? | Gas usage? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon | Very high | Low to moderate | Electric styling tools dominate use. |
| Barber shop | High | Minimal | Gas used mainly for space heating. |
| Nail / beauty salon | Moderate | Minimal | Mostly electricity for treatment tools. |
| Spa salon | High | Moderate to high | Hot water systems raise gas bills. |
Nearly 80% of salon energy bills come from electricity, particularly where styling tools and lighting are intensive.
Typical daily usage profile
Salons often run high energy loads throughout the working day:
- 08:00–09:30: Water heating, laundry, lights and HVAC begin
- 10:00–14:00: Styling tools and hot water in peak use
- 14:00–17:00: Consistent use of dryers, radiators, lighting
- 17:00–19:00: Evening appointments maintain full energy load
- Overnight: Minimal load, usually only CCTV, fridges, and standby (1–3 kWh)
Overnight electricity usage often adds £20–£45 per month.
Example equipment energy use
| Equipment | Typical usage (kWh/h) | Approx hourly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hairdryer | 1.5–2.0 | £0.32–£0.42 |
| Straighteners / curling tongs | 0.6–1.0 | £0.13–£0.21 |
| Hot water boiler | 3.0–5.0 | £0.63–£1.05 |
| Washer/dryer | 1.2–2.5 | £0.25–£0.55 |
| UV nail lamp | 0.1–0.2 | £0.02–£0.04 |
| Air-conditioning | 1.0–4.0 | £0.21–£0.84 |
How to calculate your salon’s monthly energy bill
- Check your monthly electricity kWh usage.
- Multiply usage by your tariff unit rate.
Example: 2,800 kWh × 23p = £644 - Add standing charges:
Electricity: 60p/day ≈ £18/month - Add gas (if used):
900 kWh × 7p = £63 - Total estimated monthly bill: £725 (plus VAT)
Ways salons can reduce energy costs
- Replace halogen lamps with LEDs – saves 30–55% on lighting.
- Use timed hot water or on-demand heating instead of constant heaters.
- Encourage staff to switch off styling tools between appointments.
- Install smart thermostats to maintain temperature without over-heating.
- Upgrade tumble dryers to heat-pump dryers for 30–40% savings.
- Compare tariffs regularly using EnergyCosts.co.uk; savings of 10–20% are common.
Summary
Salon energy costs typically range from £250 to £1,400 per month, with electricity accounting for most of the bill due to styling tools, lighting, hot water, and HVAC systems. Hair salons and spas incur the highest costs, whereas barber shops and nail studios pay substantially less. With efficient tools, heating controls, and active tariff management, many salons can reduce monthly bills without affecting customer service standards.
Frequently asked questions
A typical mid-size hair salon with 4–8 chairs usually spends between £450 and £1,050 per month, mainly driven by hairdryers, hot water, straighteners, lighting, and air conditioning.
Most salons spend significantly more on electricity. In many cases, 80–90% of the total energy bill comes from electricity due to heating tools, lighting, and HVAC, while gas is mainly used for water and space heating.
Spa and wellness salons have the highest energy bills, often spending £850–£1,400 per month due to hot tubs, steam rooms, heated beds, and laundry equipment used for towels and linens.
Most salons use between 1,200 and 4,500 kWh of electricity per month, depending on equipment volume, number of stylists, and opening hours. Spa-focused salons may exceed 7,500 kWh per month.
Hairdryers use around 1.5–2 kWh per hour, costing approximately 32p–42p per hour at 2026 electricity rates. Straighteners and curling tools use 0.6–1.0 kWh per hour, costing 13p–21p per hour.
Yes. Water heating accounts for 15–25% of salon energy consumption. In spa and beauty salons, it can rise to 30–40%, especially when running multiple basins, steamers, and laundry systems.
Salons open for 8–10 hours a day, five or six days a week, typically use 25–30% more electricity than shorter-hour retail businesses due to extended use of styling tools and HVAC.
Even when closed, salons typically consume 1–3 kWh overnight for CCTV, security systems, refrigeration of beauty products, and standby power, adding £20–£45 per month to bills.
Simple practices like switching off styling tools when not in use, reducing thermostat settings by 1–2°C, using LED lighting, and better timing water heating can reduce energy usage by 10–20%.
Yes. Salons switching tariffs via comparison services often save 10–20% on bills, especially those on out-of-contract or variable-rate tariffs.