Quick answer: A 1,500-watt infrared sauna running at full power for one hour uses 1.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh). At 20 cents/kWh, that costs $0.30. For a 45-minute heating cycle, the same calculation gives 1.125 kWh and about $0.23. Your actual model’s power, warm-up time, controls and electricity tariff determine the result.
Calculate your infrared sauna’s running cost → Enter its rated kW, warm-up minutes, later heating time and your electricity price. US state reference rates are available if you do not yet have a utility bill.
Watts, kilowatts and kilowatt-hours: the important difference
- Watts (W) describe electrical power. Look for the sauna’s rated input power on its label or specification sheet.
- Kilowatts (kW) are watts divided by 1,000. A 1,500 W cabin is rated at 1.5 kW.
- Kilowatt-hours (kWh) describe energy used over time. Multiply average kW by operating hours.
Energy (kWh) = power (W) ÷ 1,000 × time (hours). This simple version assumes full rated power throughout the period. Dividing watts by 1,000 gives kW, not kWh; you still need the time. “Kilowatts per hour” is not the unit to use for the electricity consumed in a session.
How much power does a particular infrared cabin need?
Use the exact model specification rather than a blanket figure for all one- or two-person cabins. For a documented example, Clearlight’s published Premier IS-2 specification sheet lists 1,750 W. Confirm the current specification for the model, country and optional equipment you are buying.
A circuit’s amp rating is not a measured consumption figure. Clearlight’s electrical requirements page distinguishes its standard Premier 2 at 120 V / 15 A from a version with specified upgrades at 120 V / 20 A, and lists other models with different requirements. “Infrared” does not automatically mean that any existing socket is suitable. Have the required circuit and connection checked before installation.
Hourly electricity use: four calculation examples
| Rated input | Energy in one hour | Electricity cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 W (1.0 kW) | 1.00 kWh | $0.20 |
| 1,500 W (1.5 kW) | 1.50 kWh | $0.30 |
| 1,750 W (1.75 kW) | 1.75 kWh | $0.35 |
| 2,000 W (2.0 kW) | 2.00 kWh | $0.40 |
These are arithmetic examples, not a survey of typical sauna models or measured energy tests. The one-hour interval explains power and energy; it is not a recommendation to remain inside a sauna for an hour.
Cost per session, month and year: a consistent example
Assume a 1.5 kW cabin heats for 15 minutes before use, then stays on for another 30 minutes at full power. Total heating time is 45/60 = 0.75 hours, so energy use is 1.5 × 0.75 = 1.125 kWh.
At $0.20/kWh, that is $0.225 per cycle. For three cycles per week over 52 weeks:
- Per cycle: about $0.23.
- Per average month: $2.93, calculated from the annual total divided by 12.
- Per year: $35.10 for 156 cycles.
The monthly and annual values use the unrounded session cost. If the sauna draws less than full power for some of the time, the result changes. Include warm-up even though nobody is sitting in the cabin during that period.
Which factors change the estimate?
- Actual electrical input: compare the exact sauna and included equipment, not just its advertised seating capacity.
- Total powered time: preheating, use, gaps between rounds and any required drying operation all count.
- Controls: cycling or variable output changes average power. Do not assume a 50% reduction unless you have a reason to use it.
- Room conditions: ambient temperature, construction, doors and the required ventilation affect heat loss and warm-up.
- Your tariff: use the applicable variable price per kWh, including usage-based delivery where relevant. Time-of-use prices may vary during the day.
- Frequency: each separate cold start adds another warm-up cycle.
- Additional devices and standby: check whether lights, sound systems or other accessories are included in the specified power, and account for any separately measured standby use.
How to measure instead of estimate
If the manufacturer and connection permit it, a suitably rated energy monitor can measure consumption across a complete heating cycle. Check the monitor’s voltage, current, power and installation limits first. A hardwired cabin or a circuit beyond a plug-in monitor’s rating requires a suitable monitoring method arranged with an electrician.
Record the model, total time, settings, room conditions and measured kWh. Repeat under comparable conditions before treating a single reading as your usual consumption. Multiply the measured kWh by your utility tariff for a more useful cost estimate than an advertised wattage alone.
Practical ways to avoid wasted electricity
Heat the cabin when you will use it, avoid unnecessary idle time and follow the manufacturer’s ventilation, cleaning and drying instructions. Do not block ventilation, modify electrical components or seal openings that the installation manual requires. If your tariff has cheaper periods, compare the timing with when you actually want to use the sauna.
Electricity is only one ownership cost. Keep purchase, delivery, electrical installation, repairs and replacement parts separate when comparing models. Our infrared versus traditional sauna guide explains the broader buying decision, and the home sauna hub covers planning.
Frequently asked questions
Does a 1,500 W sauna always use 1.5 kWh?
Only if it averages 1.5 kW for a full hour. Half an hour at that power is 0.75 kWh. A different average output or operating time changes the energy used.
Does adding another person double the electricity use?
No fixed multiplier applies. Two people sharing the same heating cycle are different from two separate sessions that each start with a cold cabin. Use the actual operating schedule.
Can I use the national average price?
Yes, as a clearly identified reference. For a household budget, your own tariff is more useful. Our calculator shows the date and source of its EIA reference rates and lets you override them.
Updated September 16, 2026. Calculations by SaunaHelper using the stated assumptions; manufacturer specifications are examples, not hands-on measurements or installation approval.