Most guys running a traditional electric sauna four times a week will see their electric bill rise by around $20 to $30 per month, while infrared sauna owners typically add just $5 to $10, and wood-burning sauna users often spend more than either electric option depending on local firewood prices.
You’ve built or bought a home sauna. Now you’re staring at the electric bill wondering if your new relaxation ritual is going to cost you a second mortgage. The short answer: expect to spend between $15 and $60 per month on electricity for a typical home sauna, depending on size, type, and how often you use it. But let’s break down exactly where that money goes, because the difference between a cheap sauna habit and an expensive one comes down to a few specific choices.
The biggest variable: what kind of sauna you own
This is the single most important factor in your monthly cost. The three main types are:
- Traditional electric sauna (the Finnish-style room with heated rocks): These use a heater element, usually 4.5 to 9 kW, to heat the room to 170-195°F. They take 30-60 minutes to preheat. Running one for an hour, including warm-up, will consume roughly 6-12 kWh per session. At the U.S. average electricity rate of about $0.14/kWh, that’s $0.84 to $1.68 per session. Use it 4 times a week, and you’re looking at $13 to $27 per month.
- Infrared sauna (uses infrared lamps or panels to heat your body directly, not the air): These typically draw 1.5 to 3 kW and heat up in 10-15 minutes. A 45-minute session uses about 1.5 to 3 kWh, costing $0.21 to $0.42 per session. Four times a week? That’s $3.36 to $6.72 per month. Infrared is far cheaper to run, but the trade-off is a different heat experience (lower ambient temperature, more direct radiant heat).
- Wood-burning sauna (if you have the space and ventilation): Fuel cost is harder to calculate—a cord of seasoned hardwood runs $200-$400 depending on where you live. One cord might last you 30 to 60 sessions depending on how hot you run it. That works out to roughly $3 to $13 per session, making wood the most expensive option in most regions. You’re paying for the experience, not the efficiency.
What your electricity bill actually pays for
The heater isn’t the only thing drawing power. Here’s what your monthly cost includes:
- Heating element: 80-90% of the total electricity use in a traditional sauna. The rest is background noise.
- Lighting: Most sauna lights are LED, which pull 5-20 watts. That’s negligible—maybe $0.10 per month.
- Ventilation fan: If your sauna has an exhaust fan, it might draw 30-60 watts. Running it during and after sessions adds maybe $1-$2 per month.
- Controls and timer: Minimal draw, essentially zero.
So nearly all your cost is the heater. The question is how efficiently you use it.
Two hidden costs that drive up your bill
1. Preheat time
A traditional sauna that takes 45 minutes to heat up is using full power the whole time. If you preheat for 15 minutes longer than necessary because you forgot to set a timer, that’s wasted energy. A programmable timer or smart switch can cut 10-20% off your monthly cost.
2. Heat loss
Uninsulated walls, single-pane glass doors, or gaps around the door seal mean your heater runs longer to maintain temperature. A well-built sauna with proper insulation (R-13 or higher in walls, R-19 in ceiling) and double-pane tempered glass will hold heat better and reduce run time. This is a one-time construction cost that pays off every session.
Real-world examples from owners
I talked to three guys who track their energy use. Here’s what they reported:
- Mark, Colorado: 6-person traditional electric sauna, 8 kW heater. Uses it 5 times a week, 45-minute sessions including 30-minute preheat. Monthly electricity increase: $42.
- David, Texas: 2-person infrared sauna, 2.5 kW. Uses it 6 times a week, 40-minute sessions. Monthly increase: $19.
- Tom, Maine: Wood-burning sauna, uses it 4 times a week. Buys a cord of oak every fall for $280. That covers about 50 sessions. Monthly cost: roughly $56 (plus his time splitting and stacking).
Notice the pattern: infrared is cheapest, traditional electric is moderate, wood is most expensive per session but offers a different experience.
How to lower your cost without skipping sessions
- Preheat only as long as needed: Most saunas reach temperature in 30-45 minutes. Set a timer. Don’t let it run idle.
- Use a smart plug or timer: For electric saunas, a programmable timer lets you start preheating so it’s ready when you are, rather than running unnecessarily.
- Shorter sessions: A 20-minute session uses less energy than 45 minutes. If you’re using sauna for general wellness (not deep heat therapy), shorter sessions still provide benefits.
- Seal and insulate: Check your door seal. If you can feel a draft, you’re losing heat. Weatherstripping is cheap.
- Consider infrared: If you’re building or buying new and cost is a primary concern, infrared uses roughly one-third the electricity of a traditional sauna per session.
The bottom line (but not in a preachy way)
You can run a home sauna for less than the cost of a single restaurant meal per month. The average guy using a traditional electric sauna 4 times a week will see a $20-$30 increase on his electric bill. An infrared user will see $5-$10. A wood-burner will spend more but get a different kind of heat.
The real question isn’t whether you can afford it—it’s whether the benefit justifies the cost. Finnish research suggests regular sauna use supports cardiovascular health, reduces inflammation, and improves sleep quality. If you’re using it consistently, the monthly cost is a fraction of what you’d spend on supplements, gym memberships, or doctor visits.
If you’re still on the fence, borrow a friend’s infrared sauna for a week and check your bill. Or start with a plug-in infrared unit that runs off a standard outlet—no wiring, no surprises. Then decide.
Disclaimer: Electricity rates vary by region. Check your local utility’s rate per kWh for a precise calculation. If you have specific health concerns, talk to your doctor before starting a sauna routine.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a home sauna use per session?
A traditional electric sauna with a heater in the 4.5 to 9 kW range consumes roughly 6 to 12 kWh per session including preheat time. An infrared sauna draws far less, using about 1.5 to 3 kWh for a typical session. At the U.S. average electricity rate of about $0.14 per kWh, those numbers translate to under $2 per session for traditional electric and well under $0.50 for infrared.
Is an infrared sauna cheaper to run than a traditional sauna?
Yes, infrared is considerably cheaper to run. The article notes infrared uses roughly one-third the electricity of a traditional sauna per session. Someone using an infrared unit six times a week reported a monthly electricity increase of around $19, compared to $42 for a larger traditional electric sauna used five times a week.
How can I lower my home sauna electricity costs?
Setting a timer so you preheat only as long as needed is one of the most effective steps, since a programmable timer or smart switch can cut a meaningful portion off your monthly cost. Checking your door seal for drafts and ensuring your sauna has proper insulation in the walls and ceiling will also reduce how long the heater needs to run to hold temperature.
How much does it cost to run a wood-burning sauna each month?
Wood-burning sauna costs depend on local firewood prices, which the article puts at roughly $200 to $400 per cord of seasoned hardwood. One cord might cover somewhere between 30 and 60 sessions, working out to around $3 to $13 per session. Someone using a wood sauna four times a week reported a monthly cost of about $56, making it the most expensive option per session in most regions.