Do Infrared Saunas Use a Lot of Electricity?

No, infrared saunas do not use a lot of electricity. A typical home unit draws about 1,500 to 2,500 watts, which is similar to a space heater or a hair dryer, and far less than a traditional sauna. Because infrared heats your body directly instead of heating the whole room, it reaches working temperature faster and runs at lower wattage, so a normal 30 to 45 minute session costs only a few cents.

The short answer

An infrared sauna uses roughly 1.5 to 2.5 kilowatts while it runs, depending on its size. To find your cost, take the wattage, divide by 1,000 to get kilowatts, multiply by the hours you use it, then multiply by your electricity rate. The U.S. average residential rate is about 16 to 17 cents per kilowatt-hour, though it ranges from roughly 11 cents to 34 cents by state.

So a 2,000 watt sauna run for 45 minutes uses about 1.5 kWh, which costs around 24 cents at the national average. Daily use lands most two person infrared saunas under $100 per year to operate. That makes the running cost a minor part of ownership. The bigger numbers are the purchase price and any one time electrical work. You can compare current category options on our infrared saunas collection.

How much electricity does an infrared sauna use per session?

Most home infrared saunas pull between 1,500 and 2,500 watts. Smaller one person cabins sit near the low end, around 1,400 to 1,600 watts, while larger three and four person models can reach 3,000 watts or more.

During a session the heaters do not run at full draw the entire time. They cycle on and off to hold the set temperature, so actual consumption is often lower than the rated wattage suggests. A realistic figure for a single 30 to 45 minute session is about 0.75 to 1.6 kWh.

Here is a simple way to estimate your own cost:

1. Find the sauna wattage on its spec sheet or label.
2. Divide by 1,000 to convert to kilowatts.
3. Multiply by the length of your session in hours.
4. Multiply by your local rate per kWh from your utility bill.

What does that cost per month?

The table below uses the U.S. average rate of about 16.5 cents per kWh and a 45 minute session. Your real cost depends on your state rate and how often you use the sauna.

Sauna size	Typical draw	Energy per session	Cost per session	Cost per month (5 sessions/week)
1 person	1,500 W	about 1.1 kWh	about 18 cents	about $3.90
2 person	2,000 W	about 1.5 kWh	about 25 cents	about $5.40
3 to 4 person	2,800 W	about 2.1 kWh	about 35 cents	about $7.50

These are estimates. For a full breakdown including standby draw and seasonal rate changes, see our guide on how much an infrared sauna costs per month.

How does that compare to other appliances?

Compared with everyday appliances, an infrared sauna is modest. A central air conditioner can pull 3,000 to 5,000 watts, an electric oven around 2,000 to 5,000 watts, and a clothes dryer about 3,000 watts. Your sauna sits in the same range as a single space heater, and you only run it for short, scheduled sessions rather than for hours.

Infrared also costs less to run than a traditional Finnish sauna. Traditional heaters are usually 6,000 to 8,000 watts because they heat air and rocks to a much higher temperature, and they need a long preheat. Infrared skips most of that, which is a large part of why people choose it. If you want to see the difference in person, our team can walk you through the categories on the full spectrum infrared saunas page.

Do infrared saunas need special wiring?

Many one and two person infrared saunas plug into a standard 120 volt household outlet, often on a dedicated 15 or 20 amp circuit. Larger units and some full spectrum models need a 240 volt circuit, which means a one time electrician visit. If you are weighing whether the extra near and mid infrared emitters are worth that step, our comparison of full spectrum vs far infrared saunas breaks down what the added heaters do. That wiring is a setup cost, not an ongoing one, so it does not change your monthly electricity bill.

Before you buy, check the model spec sheet for voltage and amperage so you know whether the outlet you have will work. If you are weighing models, the sauna buying guide covers electrical needs alongside heater type, wood, and warranty.

How to lower your running cost

A few habits keep the cost low. Preheat only as long as the manual recommends rather than leaving it on. Keep the door closed during the session to hold heat. Use a timer so the unit does not run past your session. And place the sauna in a room that is not already very cold, since a warmer starting room means less work for the heaters.

As an authorized retailer, we offer free U.S. shipping, financing, and a best price guarantee, and many buyers use HSA or FSA funds with a letter of medical necessity to offset the purchase. Real people answer our phones if you want help matching a model to your space.

A quick safety note

Heat therapy is generally well tolerated, but it does raise your heart rate and core temperature. If you are pregnant, have heart disease, low blood pressure, or take medication that affects temperature regulation, talk with your clinician before regular sauna use. Hydrate before and after, and keep sessions to a comfortable length. Sources like the Cleveland Clinic note that most healthy adults tolerate short heat sessions well.

How much does it cost to run an infrared sauna per year?

Annual running cost is small for almost every home. A two person infrared sauna used five times a week for 45 minute sessions uses roughly 1.5 kWh per session, which works out to about $65 to $75 a year at the U.S. average rate near 16.5 cents per kWh. A compact one person cabin lands closer to $45 to $55 a year, and a larger three or four person room runs about $90 to $110 a year at the same usage. Use the sauna more often or live in a high rate state like California or Hawaii and the figure rises, but it stays in the range of a streaming subscription rather than a major utility line. The takeaway matches the monthly view: electricity is a minor cost of ownership next to the purchase price. For the month by month breakdown, see our guide on how much an infrared sauna costs per month.

Do sauna blankets and portable saunas use less electricity?

Yes, and noticeably so. An infrared sauna blanket typically draws only 400 to 800 watts, and a one person portable infrared tent runs around 1,000 to 1,300 watts, both well under a full cabin. That means a blanket session can cost under 10 cents, and these units always plug into a standard 120 volt outlet with no electrician needed. The trade off is the experience rather than the energy: a blanket or tent heats a smaller area and does not hold heat as evenly as a rigid cabin, so most buyers who want a daily ritual still prefer a cabin. If low running cost and easy storage are your priorities, browse our portable infrared saunas and the wider portable saunas line. Whichever you choose, the electricity cost is small enough that it should not be the deciding factor.

Frequently asked questions

Is it expensive to run an infrared sauna every day?
No. Daily use of a two person model costs roughly $5 to $8 per month at average U.S. rates. Even heavy use stays modest because each session is short and the wattage is similar to a space heater.

Will an infrared sauna raise my electric bill a lot?
For most homes the increase is small, on the order of a few dollars a month. Your bill change depends on your local rate, the sauna size, and how often you use it.

Does an infrared sauna use more power than a traditional sauna?
No, it uses less. Traditional heaters run at 6,000 to 8,000 watts and need a long preheat, while infrared units run at about 1,500 to 2,500 watts and heat up faster.

How many watts does an infrared sauna use?
Most home infrared saunas draw 1,500 to 2,500 watts. One person cabins sit near 1,400 to 1,600 watts, while three and four person rooms can reach 3,000 watts or more. The heaters cycle on and off during a session, so real consumption is usually lower than the rated wattage.

Does an infrared sauna need a 120 volt or 240 volt outlet?
Many one and two person models plug into a standard 120 volt outlet on a dedicated 15 or 20 amp circuit. Larger and some full spectrum units need a 240 volt circuit and a one time electrician visit. Always check the model spec sheet before you buy.

Which uses less electricity, a sauna blanket or a cabin?
A sauna blanket uses far less, often 400 to 800 watts versus 1,500 to 2,500 for a cabin, so a blanket session can cost under 10 cents. A cabin heats more evenly and holds heat better, which is why many daily users still prefer one despite the higher draw.

How much does it cost to run an infrared sauna per year?
About $65 to $75 a year for a two person model used five times a week at average U.S. rates, closer to $45 to $55 for a one person cabin and $90 to $110 for a three or four person room. High electricity states and heavier use push the figure up, but it stays modest.

If you are ready to compare options, browse our infrared saunas for sale or contact our team for help sizing a unit to your room and electrical setup.