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How Much Energy Does a Sauna Use?

By andrei newman

How Much Energy Does a Sauna Use?

If you’re considering investing in a home sauna, you must have wondered, “How much energy does a sauna use?” As experts in crafting luxury home saunas, we can help you understand the energy demands of different sauna types. Whether you’re considering a traditional sauna or a portable option, learning about energy consumption will guide you in creating the perfect wellness space in your home.

How Much Energy Does a Sauna Use? 

The energy consumption of a sauna varies depending on its type, size, and your usage habits. Factors like warm-up time, operating temperature, and frequency of use all influence energy costs. 

Infrared saunas are known for their energy efficiency. In contrast, traditional and electric saunas consume more power due to higher operating temperatures. Portable saunas, conversely, are compact and cost-effective, making them an excellent choice if you are energy conscious.

While electricity isn’t a factor with wood-burning saunas, you still have to consider the cost of wood and proper ventilation. If you’re building a custom sauna, the unique features will also significantly determine its energy efficiency and overall expenses.

Energy Consumption for Different Sauna Types

Choosing the proper sauna for your backyard wellness retreat involves more than aesthetics and features — it’s also about understanding how much energy each type uses. Infrared and portable saunas are the most energy-efficient, with significantly lower hourly consumption. In contrast, traditional and electric saunas consume more power.

Let’s dive into the energy specifics for each type to help you make an informed decision.

Sauna Type

How It Works

Average Energy Usage

Energy Efficiency

Ideal Use Cases

Infrared saunas

Heats the body directly with infrared rays using carbon fiber or mica heaters.

1.5 to 3.5 kWh per hour

Highly energy-efficient with quick heat-up (10-15 minutes) and lower operating temps.

Perfect for daily use with minimal electricity costs. Great if you are an energy-conscious user.

Traditional saunas

It uses electric or wood heaters to warm the air and rocks, creating dry heat or steam.

9 to 13 kWh per hour

Higher energy use due to room heating and longer warm-up (30 minutes).

It is ideal if you value intense heat and a classic sauna experience, often in larger spaces.

Electric saunas

Electric heaters warm the air and rocks. Add water to create steam and increase humidity.

9 to 13 kWh per hour

Moderate efficiency. Proper insulation reduces energy use.

Convenient and easy to use. It's ideal if you want a mix of dry and steam sauna options.

Portable saunas

It uses infrared panels or steam generators and is compact, lightweight, and easy to assemble.

1.2 to 3 kWh per hour

Energy efficiency is due to small size and efficient heating methods.

Best for limited spaces, flexible setups, and cost-effective sauna therapy at home.

Wood-burning saunas

It uses wood-fired stoves to heat rocks, creating dry or steam heat without electricity.

Minimal electricity use (wood fuel only)

It is environmentally friendly and cost-saving over time but requires wood as fuel.

Great if you’re looking for an eco-friendly, traditional experience without relying on electricity.


How Pairing Saunas With Other Luxury Amenities Affects Energy Use

Adding luxury amenities like luxury hot tubs, steam showers, or luxury cold plunge pools to your home wellness space boosts your relaxation experience and increases your energy usage. Here's how these additions might impact your energy bill.

Hot Tubs

The energy consumption of a hot tub is typically 1,500 to 3,000 watts when it's heating and circulating water. If you use it about 3 to 5 times a week for 30 minutes to an hour each time, you can expect your electricity bill to go up by around $30 to $50 a month. In general, if you use proper insulation and covers, it can reduce heat loss and energy consumption.

Cold Plunge Pools

Cold plunge pools require less energy than heated options, primarily using electricity for filtration systems.

If you run the filtration system for about 4 hours a day, 7 days a week, your average monthly energy cost will be around $5. Increasing filtration to 8 hours a day, 7 days a week, may bring the average monthly cost closer to $15. 

Your usage and maintenance habits also directly affect these costs. Keeping up with regular maintenance can help you keep your energy needs low.

Steam Showers

Steam showers operate at approximately 5 kW per hour, similar to saunas. A daily 30-minute session can add about $20 to $30 to your energy bill per month per month.

Factors That Affect Sauna Energy Costs

Several factors influence how much energy your sauna uses. Let's look at the key elements that determine sauna energy costs and how you can optimize efficiency while enjoying your luxury home spa:

  • Session duration and frequency: Longer sessions and frequent use significantly increase energy consumption, with traditional saunas consuming 9-13 kWh per hour and shorter sessions cutting usage by half.

  • Insulation and sauna construction: Proper insulation reduces heat loss, ensures consistent temperatures, and lowers energy bills by minimizing the heater's workload.

  • Local electricity rates: Regional electricity prices impact sauna costs. Energy-efficient models and off-peak usage can offset higher rates in areas with a high cost of living, like California or New York.

  • Sauna type and heating method: Traditional saunas use 9-13 kWh per session, while infrared and portable saunas are more energy-efficient at 1.5-3.5 kWh and 1.2-3 kWh, respectively.

  • Size and heating duration: Larger saunas and extended heating times increase energy use.

How Much Does a Sauna Session Cost in the U.S.?

The cost of a sauna session depends on your location, energy rates, and the type of heater your sauna uses. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), in 2025, the average electricity rate in the United States will be approximately $0.20 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Using that information, here's a breakdown of typical sauna session costs based on heater size and session duration:

  • 4 kW heater: A 1-hour session costs $0.80.

  • 6 kW heater: A 1-hour session costs $1.20.

  • 8 kW heater: A 1-hour session costs $1.60.

  • 10 kW heater: A 1-hour session costs $2.00.

How to Estimate Your Sauna's Annual Average Energy Use

You can calculate your sauna's annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh), which equals the total electricity it uses over a year. Follow these steps to estimate how much a sauna might add to your energy bill:

  1. Determine your sauna's heater size: Common heater sizes range from 4 kW to 10 kW, with the size impacting how many kilowatts your sauna uses per hour. Let's use a 6 kW heater for this example, which uses 6 kW per hour.

  2. Estimate usage hours per month: Let's assume you use your sauna for 15 monthly sessions, each lasting 1 hour. This equals 15 hours of use monthly.

  3. Calculate monthly kilowatt-hours: Multiply the sauna's kilowatt usage (in this example, 6 kW) by the total hours of use per month (15). This equals 90 kWh per month.

  4. Find your local cost per kilowatt-hour:

  5. Check your electricity rate with your utility provider. For this example, your average rate is $0.20 per kWh.

  6. Determine your monthly cost: Multiply the monthly kWh (90) by the cost per kWh (in this example, $0.20). This equals $18 per month.

  7. Estimate annual energy costs: Multiply your monthly fee ($18) by 12 months. This totals $216 in yearly energy costs and reflects a usage of 1,080 kWh annually.

Tips to Minimize Sauna Energy Usage

To reduce your sauna's electricity usage without sacrificing performance, follow these energy-saving tips:

  • Choose energy-efficient models: Select saunas with advanced insulation and efficient heaters to lower power usage while maintaining optimal performance. Infrared saunas are exceptionally energy-efficient.

  • Optimize your heating and session durations: Minimize preheating times and keep your sauna sessions manageable. Use the sauna during off-peak electricity hours to further reduce costs.

  • Prioritize regular maintenance: Routine maintenance keeps your sauna running efficiently. Check heaters and electrical components regularly to prevent energy waste.

  • Focus on insulation: Proper insulation reduces heat loss, so your sauna uses less energy to maintain its temperature. Periodically inspect and repair any insulation issues.

  • Clean all the components often: A clean sauna performs better. Keep heaters, rocks, and surfaces clean to improve heat distribution and reduce energy consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a sauna use a lot of electricity?

The electricity usage of a sauna depends on its type. Traditional saunas consume 9-13 kWh per hour, while infrared saunas use 1.5-3.5 kWh per session, making them more energy-efficient.

Is a sauna expensive to run?

Operating costs depend on the type of sauna and how often you use it. For the average traditional sauna, if you use it 3 to 4 times per week, with sessions lasting 30 to 60 minutes each, it can cost  $20 to $50 per month. Using an infrared sauna under similar conditions typically costs between $10 and $15 monthly.

How much does it cost to run a sauna for 1 hour?

Running a traditional sauna for 1 hour costs approximately $1.50 to $2.50, depending on your local electricity rates and heater size.

How can I reduce the energy costs of operating a home sauna?

You can reduce energy costs by using energy-efficient models, properly insulating your sauna, limiting session times, and scheduling your use during off-peak electricity hours.

Are infrared saunas more energy-efficient than traditional saunas?

Yes. Infrared saunas are more energy-efficient because they operate at lower temperatures and use 1.5-3.5 kWh per session compared to 9-13 kWh per hour for traditional saunas.