A standard two-person infrared sauna uses between 1.5 and 3.0 kWh per session, with a typical 30- to 45-minute session coming in around 2.0 to 2.5 kWh. At the U.S. national average electricity rate of roughly $0.14 per kWh, that works out to about $0.28 to $0.42 per session.
Thinking about adding a sauna to your home—or you already have one and want to know what it's actually costing you? Here's the number that matters.
A standard two-person infrared sauna uses between 1.5 and 3.0 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per session, depending on the size of the unit, how long you stay in, and the starting temperature of the room. For a typical 30- to 45-minute session in a well-insulated home sauna, expect around 2.0 to 2.5 kWh.
Let's put that in dollars.
At the U.S. national average electricity rate of roughly $0.14 per kWh, that's about $0.28 to $0.42 per session. If you sauna five times per week, you're looking at roughly $1.40 to $2.10 per week, or about $73 to $109 per year.
That's less than a Netflix subscription.
But those averages hide some important variables. Let's walk through what actually drives the number up or down.
The wattage of the heaters is the starting point
Infrared saunas use carbon or ceramic heating panels. A typical two-person unit has between 1,200 and 1,800 watts of total heater output. Larger three- or four-person units can go up to 2,400 to 3,000 watts.
Here's the math:
- A 1,500-watt sauna running for 45 minutes uses: 1,500 watts × 0.75 hours = 1.125 kWh
- A 2,400-watt sauna running for 45 minutes uses: 2,400 × 0.75 = 1.8 kWh
But that's only the power consumed while the heaters are actively running. In practice, infrared heaters cycle on and off to maintain temperature, so actual consumption is slightly lower than the theoretical maximum.
The key insight: Larger saunas with more panels cost more to run, but the difference is modest. Going from a 1,500-watt to a 2,500-watt unit adds roughly $0.14 per session at average electricity rates.
Session length matters more than you think
This is where most people misjudge the cost.
Infrared saunas heat your body directly rather than heating the air, so they don't need a long preheat period the way traditional Finnish saunas do. Many infrared units are ready in 10 to 15 minutes.
But if you're the type who stays in for 60 minutes instead of 30, you're doubling the energy use. A 60-minute session in a 2,000-watt sauna uses about 2.0 kWh. A 30-minute session uses about 1.0 kWh.
Practical takeaway: If you're cost-conscious, shorter sessions are the single easiest lever. The health research on infrared sauna shows benefits starting around 15 to 20 minutes at 120°F to 140°F (49°C to 60°C). You don't need an hour to get the effects.
Room temperature and insulation change the number
If your sauna is in a cold garage in January, the heaters have to work harder to reach and maintain temperature. If it's in a climate-controlled room, the draw is lower.
Some manufacturers report "energy consumption per session" based on ideal conditions—room temperature around 70°F, no drafts, good insulation. Real-world usage can be 20% to 30% higher if your sauna is in an unheated basement or garage.
What you can do: If you're building or buying, look for units with proper insulation (foam panels between the wood and the exterior). That small detail can cut your electricity use by 15% or more over the life of the unit.
How this compares to other household appliances
To give you a frame of reference:
- A 45-minute infrared sauna session (2.0 kWh): $0.28
- Running a 1,500-watt space heater for 2 hours (3.0 kWh): $0.42
- One load of laundry in an electric dryer (3.0 to 5.0 kWh): $0.42 to $0.70
- A 10-minute hot shower with an electric water heater (2.5 to 3.5 kWh): $0.35 to $0.49
The sauna is one of the cheaper ways to heat your body for recovery.
Does it matter if you use it daily?
This is where the "cost" conversation gets interesting from a health perspective.
If you sauna daily for 40 minutes, your annual electricity cost is roughly $100 to $130. Compare that to the cost of a gym membership ($40 to $80 per month), physical therapy copays ($30 to $60 per session), or even a single massage ($80 to $150).
The research on infrared sauna for cardiovascular health, muscle recovery, and stress reduction is solid enough that many men find the electricity cost trivial compared to the value. A 2018 study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that men who used a sauna 4 to 7 times per week had a 40% lower risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to weekly users. That's not a claim that sauna prevents heart disease—it's an association—but it's a strong enough signal that the cost-per-session math shifts.
Bottom line: The electricity cost of an infrared sauna is roughly $0.30 per session. If you use it four times per week, that's about $62 per year. For a tool that supports recovery, circulation, and stress management, that's a bargain.
The one number to remember
For a standard two-person infrared sauna, figure 2.0 to 2.5 kWh per 45-minute session. At average U.S. electricity rates, that's $0.28 to $0.35.
If your electricity rate is higher (California, New York, parts of New England), double-check your per-kWh charge. At $0.30 per kWh, a session costs about $0.75. Still not expensive, but worth knowing.
What you can do with this information: If you're shopping for a sauna, ask the manufacturer for the total wattage of the heaters. Multiply that by your expected session time in hours, then by your local electricity rate. That's your per-session cost within about 10% accuracy.
If you already own a sauna, plug a Kill-A-Watt meter into the outlet for one week. You'll get the exact number for your unit, your habits, and your climate.
The short answer: infrared saunas are cheap to run. The long answer depends on how you use yours. But in either case, the cost is low enough that the question becomes less about electricity and more about whether the time in the sauna is worth the 30 cents.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an infrared sauna per session?
At the U.S. national average electricity rate of roughly $0.14 per kWh, a typical session costs about $0.28 to $0.42. If you use the sauna five times per week, that adds up to roughly $1.40 to $2.10 per week, or about $73 to $109 per year.
Does session length affect how much electricity an infrared sauna uses?
Yes, session length is one of the biggest factors in energy use. A 60-minute session in a 2,000-watt sauna uses about 2.0 kWh, while a 30-minute session in the same unit uses about 1.0 kWh. If you're watching costs, shorter sessions are the easiest way to reduce your electricity draw.
Does the location of my sauna affect its electricity usage?
It can. If your sauna sits in a cold, unheated garage or basement, the heaters have to work harder to reach and hold temperature. Real-world usage can be 20% to 30% higher than what manufacturers report under ideal conditions, which are typically based on a room temperature around 70°F with good insulation.
How does infrared sauna electricity use compare to other home appliances?
A 45-minute infrared sauna session at around 2.0 kWh costs roughly $0.28, which is less than running a 1,500-watt space heater for two hours at $0.42 or one load of laundry in an electric dryer at $0.42 to $0.70. It's one of the cheaper ways to heat your body for recovery.