Most home infrared saunas cost between $10 and $40 per month to run, though moderate users typically land in the $5 to $15 range. Your exact bill depends on the unit's wattage, how often you use it, and your local electricity rate.
I bought my first infrared sauna three years ago, and I had the same question before I plugged it in. You don't want to install a home sauna only to discover it doubles your electric bill. The short answer: most infrared saunas cost between $10 and $40 per month to run, depending on your unit, usage habits, and local electricity rates. Here is exactly how to calculate yours.
How infrared saunas use electricity
Infrared saunas work differently than traditional Finnish saunas. Traditional saunas heat the air to 180-200°F using a powerful electric or wood-fired heater, then you absorb heat through the air. Infrared saunas use ceramic or carbon heating panels that emit infrared radiation directly to your body. The air temperature stays lower (typically 120-150°F), but the energy transfer is more efficient.
The practical difference for your utility bill: infrared saunas use less power per session. A typical two-person infrared sauna draws between 1,200 and 1,800 watts. Compare that to a traditional electric sauna heater, which can pull 6,000 to 9,000 watts.
What the numbers actually look like
Let me walk through a real-world example. I run a two-person infrared sauna rated at 1,500 watts. My local electricity rate is $0.13 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is close to the US average.
I use the sauna five times per week, 40 minutes per session. Here is the math:
- 1,500 watts = 1.5 kW
- 40 minutes = 0.67 hours
- 1.5 kW × 0.67 hours = 1.0 kWh per session
- 1.0 kWh × $0.13 = $0.13 per session
- $0.13 × 20 sessions per month = $2.60 per month
That is the baseline. Most people fall in a range of $5 to $15 per month for moderate use.
Why your costs might be higher
Three factors push your number up.
Sauna size and power
A four-person unit with 2,400 watts will cost roughly 60 percent more per session than my 1,500-watt unit. A six-person sauna with 3,000 watts doubles it. If you buy a larger sauna expecting to use it daily, expect $20 to $30 per month.
Warm-up time
Infrared saunas heat up faster than traditional saunas, typically 15 to 25 minutes. But if you leave it on for an hour before you actually get in, you are burning electricity for no benefit. The sauna does not need to "soak" before use. Turn it on, wait until it reaches temperature, get in.
Electricity rates vary wildly by region
I pay $0.13 per kWh. Someone in Hawaii pays $0.44 per kWh. Someone in Washington State pays $0.10 per kWh. The same sauna costs four times more to run in Honolulu than in Seattle. Check your local rate on your utility bill—it is usually listed under "energy charge" or "supply charge."
One hidden cost people miss
The sauna itself is not the only electricity draw. If you install an outdoor sauna in a cold climate, you may need to run power to it, which means trenching and conduit. That is a one-time installation cost, not a monthly utility cost, but it matters for your total ownership picture.
Indoor installations are simpler. Most infrared saunas plug into a standard 120-volt outlet. Some larger units require a 240-volt dedicated circuit. If your sauna needs a new circuit, factor in an electrician visit, typically $200 to $500 depending on your panel location.
How to estimate your own cost
You can get within 10 percent of your actual cost with three numbers.
- Find your sauna's wattage. It is printed on the unit or in the manual. Look for "power consumption" or "rated power."
- Find your electricity rate. Look at your utility bill for cents per kWh.
- Estimate your monthly usage. Be honest. Most people overestimate how often they will use a home sauna. Start with three sessions per week and adjust after a month.
Plug those numbers into this formula:
(Wattage ÷ 1000) × (hours per session) × (sessions per month) × (electricity rate) = monthly cost
Does the sauna type matter for efficiency?
Carbon heaters and ceramic heaters both fall in the same efficiency range. Far-infrared and near-infrared panels differ in how deep the heat penetrates your tissue, but not in how much electricity they consume. The wattage rating tells you the energy draw. The heater type does not change that number.
One note: some cheaper saunas use low-quality insulation or single-pane glass doors. These lose heat faster, which means the heating elements cycle on more frequently to maintain temperature. That increases electricity use. Well-insulated units with double-pane glass cost slightly more upfront but save money over years of use.
What about traditional sauna costs for comparison
If you are weighing infrared versus traditional, the utility cost difference is significant. A traditional sauna with a 6,000-watt heater running for 45 minutes costs roughly $0.59 per session at the same $0.13 rate. That is $11.80 per month for 20 sessions versus $2.60 for infrared.
Traditional saunas also require longer warm-up times, often 30 to 45 minutes. If you preheat for 40 minutes before a 45-minute session, you are paying for 85 minutes of electricity every time you use it. Infrared saunas reach temperature in 15 to 25 minutes, so you waste less energy.
Practical takeaway
If you use a standard two-person infrared sauna four to five times per week, expect your electric bill to increase by $5 to $15 per month. That is roughly the cost of two protein bars per week. For the recovery, circulation, and stress reduction benefits, it is one of the better investments you can make in your health infrastructure.
If you are still deciding on a unit, look at the wattage rating and the insulation quality. Those two numbers determine your long-term operating cost more than any other factor. And if you already own one, run the math for yourself. Most people find the actual number is lower than they expected.
Frequently asked questions
how much electricity does a home infrared sauna use per session
A typical two-person infrared sauna draws between 1,200 and 1,800 watts. At 1,500 watts for a 40-minute session, that works out to about 1.0 kWh per session, which costs roughly $0.13 at an electricity rate of $0.13 per kWh.
how do I calculate my own infrared sauna utility cost
You need three numbers: your sauna's wattage rating, your local electricity rate in cents per kWh, and your estimated monthly sessions. Plug them into this formula: (wattage divided by 1,000) times hours per session times sessions per month times your electricity rate. Your utility bill usually lists the rate under 'energy charge' or 'supply charge'.
does sauna size affect how much it costs to run each month
Yes, size is one of the biggest cost factors. A four-person unit at 2,400 watts costs roughly 60 percent more per session than a 1,500-watt two-person model. If you run a larger sauna daily, expect to pay around $20 to $30 per month.
is an infrared sauna cheaper to run than a traditional sauna
Infrared saunas are significantly cheaper to operate. A traditional sauna heater can pull 6,000 to 9,000 watts compared to 1,200 to 1,800 watts for a typical infrared unit. At a rate of $0.13 per kWh, 20 traditional sauna sessions per month works out to about $11.80 versus $2.60 for infrared, and traditional saunas also require longer warm-up times.