Infrared vs Traditional Sauna Running Costs: Which Is Actually Cheaper Long Term?
Infrared vs traditional sauna running costs usually favor a smaller infrared cabin on electricity use, but the saving depends on the models, warm-up time, controls and your electricity rate. Compare the energy used for a complete visit rather than comparing heater wattage alone.
I’ve used both regularly for years. The heat feels different, so I’d weigh the experience alongside the running cost. The calculations below are illustrative examples, not readings from equipment I’ve tested.
This guide compares home infrared cabins with traditional electric sauna heaters. It separates electricity from installation and maintenance so you can see what each figure actually covers.
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Quick Snapshot
- Compare kilowatt-hours (kWh) per complete visit, including warm-up, rather than rated kilowatts (kW) alone.
- At an illustrative $0.17/kWh, the examples below cost about $0.23 for infrared and $0.94 for traditional per visit.
- Three visits a week means 156 visits a year, or an average of 13 a month.
- Under these assumptions, annual electricity is $35.36 versus $145.86. These are calculations, not national averages.
- Installation, maintenance and repairs are separate expenses. Check the requirements of the exact models before buying.
Table of Contents
- What Actually Determines Running Cost
- Worked Electricity Examples
- Installation Costs
- Maintenance Costs
- Pros and Cons
- Which Wins on Long-Term Cost?
- Comparison Table
- Helpful Gear and Measurement
- FAQs
- Final Verdict
What Actually Determines Running Cost
Rated power is not energy per visit. A 2 kW appliance uses 2 kWh if it runs at full power for one hour. Controls may cycle the heaters or vary their output, so multiplying rated power by total time can overestimate consumption when the appliance is not drawing full power throughout.
Include the whole powered period: preheating, bathing and any manufacturer-required powered drying cycle. A shorter warm-up can reduce consumption, but neither sauna type has one universal warm-up time. Room construction, starting temperature, target temperature and equipment sizing all affect the result.
Frequency changes the annual bill. Someone using a cabin twice weekly will have a different total from someone using it daily, even with identical equipment. Use the schedule you expect to follow, rather than an idealized daily routine.
For a closer look at warm-up differences, see Infrared vs Traditional Sauna Heat-Up Time. This article focuses on turning complete-visit consumption into dollars.
Worked Electricity Examples
The examples use $0.17 per kWh as an illustrative rate, not a claim about the current US average. Substitute the usage-based rate on your bill, including applicable delivery charges. Fixed monthly charges you already pay generally do not increase because you add a sauna visit.
Electricity cost = energy used in kWh × electricity rate. Calculate annual cost using annual visits. For three visits weekly, use 3 × 52 = 156; dividing that annual cost by 12 gives an average monthly figure.
Infrared example: a 2 kW cabin
Assume the cabin draws 2 kW continuously for 10 minutes of warm-up and 30 minutes of use. That is 40 powered minutes in total:
- Energy: 2 × 40 ÷ 60 = 1⅓ kWh.
- Cost per visit: 1⅓ × $0.17 = about $0.23.
- Annual electricity at 156 visits: $35.36.
- Average monthly electricity: $2.95.
- Five-year electricity at unchanged use and rate: $176.80.
If the cabin cycles its heaters, measured consumption may be lower than this full-power calculation. If it needs longer to warm up, or runs accessories, include that energy too.
Traditional example: a 6 kW heater
Assume 40 minutes of warm-up at 6 kW, followed by 30 minutes during which cycling produces an average draw of 3 kW. The 50% bathing-period average is an assumption for this calculation, not a guaranteed setting or measured result.
- Warm-up energy: 6 × 40 ÷ 60 = 4 kWh.
- Bathing-period energy: 3 × 30 ÷ 60 = 1.5 kWh.
- Complete visit: 4 + 1.5 = 5.5 kWh.
- Cost per visit: 5.5 × $0.17 = about $0.94.
- Annual electricity at 156 visits: $145.86.
- Average monthly electricity: $12.16.
- Five-year electricity at unchanged use and rate: $729.30.
Harvia’s sauna energy-consumption guidance explains that a traditional heater’s thermostat cycles the heating elements after the room reaches its target temperature. Actual consumption depends on the room and operating conditions.
These examples use different warm-up schedules and heating methods. They do not establish equivalent heat exposure or health effects. The timings are calculation inputs, not recommended session lengths; follow the equipment instructions and appropriate personal safety guidance.
Electricity Comparison at Three Visits a Week
| Electricity only | Infrared example | Traditional example |
|---|---|---|
| Per complete visit | 1⅓ kWh | 5.5 kWh |
| Cost per visit at $0.17/kWh | About $0.23 | About $0.94 |
| Average month: 13 visits | $2.95 | $12.16 |
| Year: 156 visits | $35.36 | $145.86 |
| Five years: 780 visits | $176.80 | $729.30 |
Annual and five-year figures use the unrounded calculations. Under these assumptions, infrared saves $110.50 per year, or $552.50 over five years, in electricity. Different consumption, frequency or tariffs change the saving.
At $0.34/kWh, double the electricity figures. With time-of-use pricing, apply the relevant rate to each part of the powered period. A longer visit may cross tariff periods, so one off-peak rate may not cover the whole visit.
Installation Costs
Installation affects total ownership cost but is not part of the electricity bill above. Price the cabin or room, delivery, site preparation and electrical work separately. A low running cost does not automatically mean a low purchase or installation cost.
Do not assume every infrared sauna plugs into an ordinary household outlet. Requirements vary by model. For example, Sunlighten’s US Signature I specifications list a dedicated 120V, 20A circuit with a NEMA 5-20R outlet. Check the current installation manual for the model you intend to buy.
Traditional electric heaters also have model-specific voltage, circuit and wiring requirements. Ask a qualified electrician to check the equipment instructions, existing circuit and panel capacity before purchase. Neither a new circuit nor a panel upgrade should be assumed from the sauna type alone.
Get a local quote instead of adding a generic electrical allowance. For traditional heater sizing, see What Size Sauna Heater Do I Need for a 2 Person Sauna?. Choosing an undersized heater to reduce rated wattage can create a poor comparison if it must run longer to heat the room.
Maintenance Costs
Maintenance belongs in the ownership budget, and its cost varies with the equipment, condition and frequency of use. There is no reliable flat annual repair premium that applies to every infrared or traditional sauna.
Traditional heaters need stone care according to their manuals. Harvia’s stone-maintenance guide recommends checking and rearranging stones at least annually, with more frequent attention for heavy use. Replace damaged stones and follow the heater’s instructions for stone type, size and arrangement.
Both sauna types can have electrical parts that need service. Traditional heaters contain heating elements and controls; infrared cabins have emitters, controls and other components. Compare warranty coverage, exclusions, labor and parts availability rather than treating a warranty as a predicted lifespan.
Clean and care for benches using the sauna manufacturer’s instructions. Do not apply a generic oil or finish to heated interior wood. Keep cleaning, approved wood treatment, replacement stones and potential repairs separate from the electricity totals.
Pros and Cons
Infrared: practical advantages and tradeoffs
- A lower-power cabin can use less electricity per complete visit, as in the worked example.
- A shorter required preheat can reduce overhead energy, but check the model’s guidance.
- The heat experience differs from a traditional sauna, so electricity savings alone may not settle your choice.
- An existing outlet may not meet the cabin’s electrical requirements. Check before ordering.
Traditional electric: practical advantages and tradeoffs
- Offers the heated room, stones and manufacturer-permitted water-on-stones experience many people want.
- Controls can reduce average draw once the target temperature is reached.
- Heating the room and stones requires energy before you enter. Include that warm-up when comparing costs.
- Stone care, electrical installation and potential element or control repairs belong in the budget.
Which Wins on Long-Term Cost?
In these examples, infrared has the lower electricity bill. That does not establish the cheapest total ownership cost for every pair of products. Add the actual purchase, installation and maintenance estimates before comparing a three- or five-year budget.
If a model costs more upfront, divide that extra cost by its expected annual electricity saving to estimate a simple payback period. For example, a $500 purchase premium divided by the illustrative $110.50 annual saving is about 4.5 years. That assumes unchanged use and rates and excludes other cost differences.
Choose a heat experience you enjoy, then check whether the complete budget fits. For the temperature differences, see Do Infrared Saunas Get as Hot as Traditional Saunas?. Temperature alone does not establish equivalent benefits or suitable session lengths.
Comparison Table
| Factor | Infrared cabin | Traditional electric sauna |
|---|---|---|
| Rated power | Check the selected model | Check the selected heater |
| Warm-up energy | Include actual preheat | Include heating the room and stones |
| Controls | May cycle or vary output | Thermostat cycles heating elements |
| Useful cost measure | kWh per complete powered visit | kWh per complete powered visit |
| Electrical work | Model and existing supply determine requirements | Model and existing supply determine requirements |
| Maintenance | Cleaning, emitters, controls and model-specific care | Cleaning, stones, elements and controls |
| Lowest total cost | Needs an itemized comparison | Needs an itemized comparison |
Helpful Gear and Measurement
Energy measurement: a plug-in meter is useful only when it is approved and correctly rated for the appliance, outlet, voltage and continuous load. Do not adapt a household meter to a hardwired or incompatible sauna. Ask an electrician about suitable circuit-level monitoring when needed.
Record several complete visits, including warm-up and any required powered drying. Note the starting conditions and settings, then average the kWh readings. Multiply that average by your electricity rate and expected visit count.
Bench protection: use a clean towel or covering permitted by the sauna manufacturer. Avoid assuming that a generic foam cushion or mat is suitable for sauna temperatures.
Replacement stones: Traditional heaters need stones replaced as they deteriorate. Before buying, match the stone type, size and required quantity to your heater manual. A product being sold for saunas does not make it compatible with every heater.
FAQs
What would electricity cost at twice a week?
Using the same assumptions and 104 visits per year, infrared electricity would be $23.57 annually and traditional electricity $97.24. Purchase, installation, maintenance and repairs are additional.
Does infrared always cost 70–80% less to run?
No fixed percentage applies to every setup. The examples above produce a saving of about 76% in electricity because their energy inputs differ substantially. Compare the actual models and complete powered periods before applying that percentage to your budget.
Can a traditional sauna make up the difference in resale value?
Do not assume resale will recover the extra cost. Future buyer interest and the value of an installation are uncertain. Build a budget that works without relying on an unverified resale premium.
How can I reduce the bill without changing sauna type?
Avoid unnecessary powered waiting time, follow the specified maintenance and ventilation instructions, and use a suitable off-peak tariff where practical. Do not block required ventilation or modify safety controls to save electricity. Measure again after changing your routine to see whether consumption falls.
Final Verdict
Infrared vs traditional sauna running costs depend on the equipment, complete operating schedule and electricity tariff. The worked examples show lower electricity use for the infrared cabin, with a five-year electricity difference of $552.50 at the stated assumptions.
Before buying, get the model’s power and installation requirements, ask what its consumption estimate includes, and price maintenance separately. After installation, measuring several complete visits gives a more useful budget than relying on rated wattage alone.
If you prefer traditional heat, calculate its extra running cost in dollars and decide whether that experience is worth it to you. If electricity economy is your priority, compare appropriately sized infrared options using the same accounting method.
