This article was written by our expert who is surveying the industry and constantly updating the business plan for a beauty salon.
Understanding energy costs is crucial for beauty salon owners as electricity often represents one of the largest monthly expenses after rent and staff salaries.
A typical small beauty salon with 2-4 treatment rooms can expect monthly electricity bills ranging from 3,969 to 6,604 Baht, depending on equipment usage, operating hours, and energy efficiency measures. The key factors affecting these costs include hair dryers operating 4-8 hours daily, HVAC systems running throughout business hours, LED lighting for 8-12 hours, and electric water heaters for constant hot water supply.
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Beauty salon energy costs typically range from 3,969 to 6,604 Baht monthly for small establishments, with significant variation based on equipment usage and energy efficiency measures.
The main cost drivers include hair dryers, HVAC systems, lighting, and water heating, which together account for most energy consumption during operating hours.
| Cost Factor | Typical Usage | Monthly Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Hair Dryers (1.2-2 kW each) | 4-8 hours daily per unit | Major contributor to peak usage during busy periods |
| HVAC Systems | 8-12 hours during business hours | Highest during summer months, can increase bills by 30-40% |
| LED Lighting | Full business hours (8-12 hours) | Lower impact due to efficiency, but constant usage |
| Water Heaters | Continuous operation for hot water | Steady baseline consumption throughout the day |
| Treatment Equipment | 2-6 hours per day depending on bookings | Variable based on appointment volume |
| Laundry Equipment | 1-3 loads daily (30-90 loads monthly) | Can be optimized with off-peak scheduling |
| Seasonal Variations | Higher cooling costs in hot months | Bills can fluctuate 20-30% between seasons |
What type of beauty therapy services are offered and how many treatment rooms are in use daily?
Most beauty salons offer a comprehensive range of services including waxing, facials, manicures, pedicures, eyebrow and lash treatments, massages, and advanced skin care procedures like microdermabrasion and chemical peels.
A typical small beauty salon operates 2-4 treatment rooms on a daily basis, with dedicated spaces for different services. Waxing rooms usually occupy 6-8 square meters, facial treatment rooms require 8-10 square meters, and massage rooms need 10-12 square meters for comfortable client experience.
The number of active treatment rooms directly impacts energy consumption since each room requires individual climate control, lighting, and specialized equipment. Busier salons may have all rooms operating simultaneously during peak hours, while smaller establishments might rotate room usage throughout the day.
Treatment room utilization typically peaks during evenings and weekends when most clients have appointments. This concentrated usage pattern affects electricity demand, as multiple high-power devices like hair dryers, sterilizers, and massage beds with heating elements operate concurrently.
What are the business hours and days of operation each week?
Beauty salons typically operate 5-6 days per week with extended hours to accommodate client schedules, often running 8-12 hours daily from late morning to evening.
A common schedule includes Wednesday through Friday operations with varying hours: Wednesday 1:00pm-7:00pm, Thursday and Friday 3:00pm-9:00pm, and weekend hours from 11:00am-7:30pm. Many salons also open Monday and Tuesday to capture the full week's business potential.
These extended operating hours mean that energy-consuming equipment like HVAC systems, lighting, and water heaters must run continuously during business hours. The overlap between peak business hours and peak electricity demand periods can significantly impact monthly energy costs.
Evening operations until 9:00pm or later help maximize revenue but also increase energy costs as lighting and climate control systems operate during peak electricity rate periods. Some salons strategically adjust their schedules to balance client convenience with energy cost management.
You'll find detailed operational insights in our beauty salon business plan, updated every quarter.
What kind of equipment is used and how many hours are they used per day?
Beauty salons rely on various high-energy equipment including hair dryers (1.2-2 kW each), straighteners, curling irons, sterilizers, towel warmers, massage beds with heating elements, LED treatment lamps, facial machines, and wax heaters.
| Equipment Type | Power Rating | Daily Usage Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hair Dryers | 1.2-2 kW each | 4-8 hours depending on appointment volume and salon size |
| Sterilizers | 0.8-1.5 kW | Continuous operation during business hours for hygiene compliance |
| Massage Beds (heated) | 0.3-0.8 kW | 2-4 hours per bed based on massage appointments |
| Facial Treatment Machines | 0.2-0.6 kW | 3-6 hours depending on facial bookings |
| Wax Heaters | 0.4-0.8 kW | 6-8 hours to maintain proper wax temperature |
| Towel Warmers | 0.3-0.6 kW | Continuous operation during business hours |
| Washing Machines/Dryers | 2-3 kW each | 1-3 loads daily, approximately 2-4 hours total operation |
Hair dryers represent the highest individual power consumption devices and are used intensively during peak appointment times. Multiple dryers operating simultaneously can create significant demand spikes on the electrical system.
Equipment usage patterns vary significantly based on appointment scheduling, with peak consumption typically occurring during busy afternoon and evening hours when multiple treatments happen simultaneously.
Is the location heated or cooled regularly, and what systems are used for climate control?
Beauty salons require consistent climate control throughout business hours to maintain client comfort and proper working conditions, typically using commercial HVAC systems including air conditioning and heat pumps.
These systems operate continuously during business hours, representing one of the largest energy consumers in most salons. The systems must maintain comfortable temperatures while managing humidity levels, especially important for services like facials and nail treatments that require specific environmental conditions.
Most modern beauty salons install programmable thermostats to optimize energy usage by adjusting temperatures during off-hours. However, the systems often need to run at least 30 minutes before opening to bring the space to comfortable temperatures.
Climate control costs increase significantly during hot summer months when air conditioning units work harder to maintain cool temperatures. Many salons experience 30-40% higher electricity bills during peak cooling season compared to moderate weather periods.
What type of lighting is installed and how many hours per day is it typically in use?
Modern beauty salons predominantly use LED lighting systems that provide energy efficiency while delivering the high-quality illumination required for detailed beauty treatments.
Salon lighting operates for the entire duration of business hours, typically 8-12 hours daily. The lighting setup includes ambient lighting for general areas, task lighting for treatment rooms, and accent lighting for creating atmosphere in reception and retail areas.
LED lights consume significantly less energy than traditional fluorescent or incandescent bulbs while providing better color rendering, which is crucial for services like makeup application and hair coloring. Many salons install dimmable LED systems to adjust lighting intensity based on specific treatment requirements.
Despite being energy-efficient, lighting represents a consistent baseline energy cost since it operates throughout all business hours. Some salons implement motion sensors in less frequently used areas like storage rooms and restrooms to further reduce consumption.
What is the size of the business premises?
Small beauty salons offering basic services typically occupy 50-70 square meters, while individual suite practitioners may operate in spaces as compact as 14-18 square meters.
The premises size directly affects energy consumption through heating and cooling requirements, lighting needs, and the number of treatment rooms that can be accommodated. Larger spaces require more powerful HVAC systems and additional lighting zones, increasing overall energy demand.
Multi-service salons with comprehensive beauty offerings often require larger spaces to accommodate specialized treatment rooms, retail areas, reception zones, and equipment storage. These expanded facilities typically consume proportionally more energy due to increased square footage and equipment density.
Space efficiency plays a crucial role in energy management, as well-designed layouts can minimize energy waste while maximizing treatment room utilization and client flow.
What is the average monthly electricity rate per kilowatt-hour charged by the utility provider?
In Thailand, commercial beauty salons operating below 22 kV voltage levels pay approximately 3.1751 Baht per kilowatt-hour, plus applicable service charges and demand fees.
Electricity rates vary by region and utility provider, with some areas offering slightly different pricing structures. Beauty salon owners should verify current rates with their local utility company as prices can change periodically based on fuel costs and regulatory adjustments.
Commercial rates typically include both energy charges (per kWh consumed) and demand charges (based on peak power usage during billing periods). Understanding both components helps salon owners better predict and manage monthly electricity costs.
Rate structures may include various fees such as service charges, power factor penalties, and taxes that can add 15-25% to the base energy costs. These additional charges should be factored into energy budget planning.
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Are there off-peak energy rates available, and is any equipment usage scheduled to take advantage of them?
Off-peak electricity rates are typically available from 9:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. daily, offering reduced per-kilowatt-hour charges compared to peak periods.
Most beauty salon operating hours overlap with peak electricity rate periods, limiting opportunities to take advantage of off-peak pricing for primary business activities. However, some equipment usage can be strategically scheduled during lower-rate periods.
Laundry operations represent the best opportunity for off-peak scheduling, as washing and drying towels and linens can be done after business hours. A salon processing 30-90 loads monthly could achieve meaningful savings by running laundry equipment during off-peak hours.
Water heater operation can also be partially optimized by using timers to heat water during off-peak periods, though some hot water availability must be maintained during business hours for client services.
Equipment like sterilizers and towel warmers that operate continuously present limited scheduling flexibility, but some salons use programmable controls to reduce their operation during off-peak preparation periods.
Are energy-efficient appliances and LED lighting already in place, or is there room for upgrading?
Most modern beauty salons have adopted LED lighting and many energy-efficient appliances, but significant upgrade opportunities often remain for older establishments or salons with outdated equipment.
LED lighting retrofits typically provide immediate energy savings of 50-70% compared to fluorescent systems, with improved light quality that enhances service delivery. Salons still using older lighting technologies should prioritize LED conversion as a high-impact upgrade.
HVAC system upgrades offer substantial savings potential, particularly replacing units over 10 years old with high-efficiency models featuring programmable controls and variable-speed operation. These upgrades can reduce cooling and heating costs by 20-40%.
Equipment upgrades should focus on 'A' rated energy-efficient appliances, particularly for high-usage items like hair dryers, sterilizers, and water heaters. Installing motion sensors for lighting in low-traffic areas and programmable thermostats provides additional savings with minimal investment.
Are water heaters or washers/dryers electric, and how frequently are they used during a typical month?
Beauty salons typically use electric water heaters and laundry equipment due to installation convenience and consistent performance requirements for maintaining hygiene standards.
Water heaters operate continuously to provide instant hot water for shampoo stations, treatment room sinks, and cleaning procedures. These units typically consume 2-4 kW continuously, representing a significant portion of baseline energy consumption.
Laundry equipment usage varies with salon size and client volume, but most small salons process 30-90 loads monthly including towels, linens, and staff uniforms. Each wash and dry cycle typically consumes 3-5 kWh total energy.
High-efficiency water heaters with better insulation and programmable operation can reduce energy consumption by 15-25% compared to standard units. Similarly, Energy Star-rated washers and dryers use 25-40% less energy per load than conventional models.
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How much was spent on electricity each month over the last 12 months, and are there any noticeable seasonal variations?
A typical small beauty salon with 2-4 treatment rooms consumes 1,250-2,080 kWh monthly, resulting in electricity bills ranging from 3,969 to 6,604 Baht at current commercial rates.
Seasonal variations are significant, with summer months typically showing 20-30% higher consumption due to increased air conditioning loads. Peak summer bills can reach 7,000-8,500 Baht monthly for salons in hot climates, while winter months may drop to 3,000-4,500 Baht.
Annual electricity consumption for small salons typically ranges from 15,000-25,000 kWh, with larger establishments consuming proportionally more based on square footage and equipment density. These figures exclude demand charges and additional fees that can add 15-25% to total costs.
Tracking monthly consumption patterns helps identify unusual spikes that might indicate equipment malfunctions or inefficient operations. Many salons notice higher consumption during holiday seasons when extended hours and increased bookings drive up energy usage.
What steps can be taken to reduce monthly energy costs without affecting client experience?
Beauty salons can implement numerous energy-saving measures that reduce costs while maintaining or improving service quality through strategic equipment upgrades and operational changes.
LED lighting conversion provides immediate savings with improved light quality for treatments. Installing dimmers and motion sensors in low-traffic areas like storage rooms and restrooms can reduce lighting costs by 15-20% without affecting client areas.
HVAC optimization through programmable thermostats, regular maintenance, and strategic temperature management during off-hours can reduce cooling and heating costs by 20-30%. Setting temperatures 2-3 degrees higher in summer and lower in winter during non-peak hours maintains comfort while saving energy.
Equipment management practices include unplugging devices when not in use to eliminate standby power consumption, scheduling laundry during off-peak hours, and using timers on water heaters to optimize heating cycles. Staff training on energy-conscious practices ensures consistent implementation.
Facility improvements such as improved insulation, low-flow fixtures to reduce hot water usage, and regular equipment maintenance help optimize overall energy efficiency. These measures typically provide 10-25% total energy savings when implemented comprehensively.
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Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We accept no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided.
Understanding energy costs is fundamental to successful beauty salon operations, as electricity typically represents 8-15% of total operating expenses for most establishments.
By implementing strategic energy management practices and efficiency upgrades, salon owners can significantly reduce monthly electricity bills while improving service quality and client comfort.
Sources
- Ray Cochrane - What is Beauty Therapy: A Complete Guide
- Elite Beauty Society - Beauty Services List
- Dojo Business - Beauty Salon Space Requirements
- Salon Serve - Essential Beauty Salon Equipment List
- Niccolo - Energy Consuming Appliances in Your Salon
- E Heat Cool - Commercial HVAC for Hair and Beauty Salons
- PAC Lights - Beauty Salon Lighting Explained
- PEA - Electricity Tariffs Thailand 2023
- PBL Magazine - 10 Ways to Cut Energy Bills in Your Salon
- HJI - Make Your Salon More Energy Efficient
-How to Create a Comprehensive Beauty Salon Business Plan
-Complete Guide to Beauty Salon Startup Costs
-How Much Does It Cost to Open a Beauty Salon
-Step-by-Step Guide to Opening a Beauty Salon
-Understanding the Ongoing Costs of Running a Beauty Salon
-Creating a Successful Beauty Care Business Plan