How Much Does It Cost to Run an Infrared Sauna?
The number nobody quotes you before you buy — and the simple math to work out your own.
People agonise over the sticker price of a sauna and then quietly worry about a second number: what's this thing going to do to my electric bill? It's a fair concern — and it's also the easiest one to put to bed, because the answer is refreshingly small.
That's it. For most households running a 30-minute session most days of the week, an infrared sauna costs somewhere between a coffee and a takeaway lunch — per month. And because infrared saunas use no water, no chemicals, and have essentially no maintenance, electricity is the entire running cost.
The math, in one line
You don't have to take our word for it. Here's the formula — plug in your own numbers.
Worked example: a 1,600W sauna is 1.6 kW. Run it for half an hour and you've used 0.8 kWh. At an electricity rate of 17¢/kWh, that's about 14¢ per session — roughly $2.40 a month at four sessions a week.
Your actual figure depends on three things: how powerful your sauna is, how often you use it, and what your utility charges. Here's how those shake out in practice.
| Usage pattern | Sessions / month | Approx. energy | Monthly cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual — 2× a week, 30 min | ~9 | ~7 kWh | ~$1–2 |
| Typical — 4× a week, 30 min | ~17 | ~14 kWh | ~$2–4 |
| Daily — 7× a week, 30 min | ~30 | ~24 kWh | ~$4–7 |
| Heavy — daily, 45 min, larger cabin | ~30 | ~50 kWh | ~$9–15 |
*Based on a 1,500–1,800W cabin at average US electricity rates. Rates vary widely by state — check your bill for your exact ¢/kWh.
A month of daily home sauna costs less than a single session at a spa.
What drives your number up (or down)
Cabin size
More space means more heaters and a longer warm-up. A 4-person cabin will always cost more per session than a 2-person one — worth weighing when you choose your size.
Your electricity rate
This is the biggest variable of all. Rates swing from roughly 11¢ to over 30¢ per kWh depending on the state. Same sauna, triple the cost.
Pre-heating habits
Infrared warms you directly, so it needs far less pre-heat than a traditional sauna. Don't leave it running for 45 minutes before you get in — you're just heating an empty box.
Where it lives
A cabin in a freezing garage works harder than one in a temperate spare room. Not a dealbreaker, but it nudges the number up.
Perspective: a single spa or wellness-centre sauna session typically runs $60–$120. Your entire month of unlimited home sessions costs less than a tenth of one visit. Once the cabin itself is paid off, the ongoing cost is essentially a rounding error — which is exactly why a home sauna pays for itself so quickly. See the full breakdown in our home sauna cost guide.
The costs that aren't there
Worth naming, because people assume otherwise: there's no water bill, no chemicals, no filters, no servicing contract, and no consumables. Most 1–2 person infrared cabins plug straight into a standard 120V outlet, so there's usually no electrician either. Beyond wiping it down and airing it out, an infrared sauna is about as low-maintenance as a major home purchase gets.
And if you're comparing models, check the EMF rating alongside the wattage — a low-EMF cabin costs no more to run, and it's the spec you'll be glad you checked in five years.
The Iridescent Home Team
Authorized dealer for Dynamic, Maxxus & Golden Designs. Real numbers, no fine print. Questions? Call (307) 201-4597.
Cheap to buy. Cheaper to own.
Low-EMF infrared saunas from $1,399 — free shipping, 5-year warranty, and 0% APR financing from $158.25/month. Then a few dollars a month to run, forever.
Questions? (307) 201-4597 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm MT
Running cost FAQ
Do infrared saunas use a lot of electricity?
Will it noticeably change my power bill?
Is there any other ongoing cost?
Does a traditional sauna cost more to run?
Cost figures are estimates based on typical 1,500–1,800W infrared cabins and average US electricity rates. Your actual cost depends on your model's wattage, your usage, and your utility's rate — use the formula above for your own number.