Do Saunas Use a Lot of Electricity? Full Breakdown 2024

How to Calculate the Electricity Cost from the Sauna?

Ever wondered how much that relaxing sauna session is costing you in electricity? The good news is, calculating the cost is a fairly straightforward process. Here’s what you need to know:

The key to understanding your sauna’s electricity consumption lies in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This unit represents the amount of energy used when a 1,000-watt (1 kW) appliance runs for one hour. So, to calculate your sauna’s electricity cost, we can use the following formula:

Electricity Used (kWh) = Sauna Heater Wattage (kW) x Usage Time (hours)

How Much Electricity Does a Sauna Use and What is the Cost?

Now that you know how to calculate electricity usage, let’s see how much a typical sauna might cost to operate. We’ll use a common 6,000-watt sauna heater as an example and assume a national average electricity rate of $0.13 per kWh (which can vary depending on your location). We will factor in the power needed to preheat the sauna and the actual usage time.

 

Traditional Saunas

Traditional saunas take some time to reach their desired temperature. Let’s assume it takes 30 minutes for your sauna to heat up from room temperature, and then you enjoy a relaxing 30-minute session at its peak temperature.

Here’s how the electricity usage breaks down:

• Heating Time: 6 kW x 0.5 hours (30 minutes) = 3 kWh
• Usage Time: 6 kW x 0.5 hours (30 minutes) = 3 kWh

Total Electricity Used per Session: 3 kWh (heating) + 3 kWh (usage) = 6 kWh

To calculate the monthly cost, we need to consider how often you use the sauna. Let’s assume you use it for 30 minutes, three times a week (9 sessions per month).

Monthly Electricity Used: 6 kWh/session x 9 sessions/month = 54 kWh

Monthly Electricity Cost: 54 kWh x $0.13/kWh = $7.02

This means, based on our assumptions, running a 6 kW traditional sauna for 30 minutes, three times a week would cost approximately $7.02 per month in electricity. Remember, this is just an estimate, and your actual cost may vary depending on your sauna’s wattage, usage habits, and local electricity rates.

Infrared Saunas

Infrared saunas operate differently than traditional saunas. Instead of heating the air, they use infrared lamps to directly heat your body. This leads to quicker heating times and overall lower energy consumption.

Let’s use the same example of using the sauna for 30 minutes, three times a week. However, for an infrared sauna, we’ll assume a heater wattage of around 2,000 watts and a preheating time of only 15 minutes.

Heating Time: 2 kW x 0.25 hours (15 minutes) = 0.5 kWh

• Usage Time: 2 kW x 0.5 hours (30 minutes) = 1 kWh

Total Electricity Used per Session: 0.5 kWh (heating) + 1 kWh (usage) = 1.5 kWh

Monthly Electricity Used: 1.5 kWh/session x 9 sessions/month = 13.5 kWh

Monthly Electricity Cost: 13.5 kWh x $0.13/kWh = $1.76

As you can see, the lower wattage and faster heating time of an infrared sauna translate to a significantly lower estimated monthly electricity cost of $1.76 compared to $7.02 for a traditional sauna under the same usage assumptions.

Important Note: These are estimates, and actual electricity usage will vary depending on the specific sauna model, insulation, and local electricity rates. Be sure to check your sauna’s manual for wattage information and consult your electricity provider for current rates.

Want to Buy a Sauna for Your Home?

If you have any more questions or you’re interested in buying an infrared sauna or traditional sauna feel free to contact us and we will help you decide.