You've settled on the idea of a home sauna. Then the practical question comes up: what will it do to the electric bill? The answer is usually smaller than people expect, but it depends on three numbers you can look up yourself. Below is the math, real electricity rates, what your wiring needs to handle, and how an infrared cabin compares with a traditional outdoor sauna.
The simple formula
Every electric sauna follows the same equation:
Heater power (kW) × hours of use × your electricity rate ($/kWh) = cost per session
- Heater power: the wattage on the spec sheet, divided by 1,000. For example, 1,750 W is 1.75 kW.
- Hours: count the warm-up time along with the time you spend inside.
- Rate: the price per kWh on your utility bill. If you don't have the bill handy, the U.S. Energy Information Administration publishes state averages.
This gives you a ceiling, not an exact figure. Heaters cycle on and off to hold temperature once the cabin is warm, so the real draw is usually lower than full power for the whole session.
For your own numbers, Sauna Monthly's sauna running cost calculator factors in the heater cycling on and off.
What electricity costs right now
According to the EIA's Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, the average residential price in July 2026 was:
- U.S. average: 18.31¢ per kWh
- California: 33.61¢ per kWh
California is one of the most expensive states, so if you live somewhere else your number is probably closer to the national average or below it. Your own utility bill is always the best figure to use.
Worked example: a 2-person infrared sauna
The Orivon Lumin Two Infrared Sauna is rated at about 1,750 W by the maker. Here's a 45-minute session, counting warm-up, at full rated power:
1.75 kW × 0.75 h = about 1.31 kWh per session
| Rate | Per session | Per month (4 sessions/week) |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. average (18.31¢) | about $0.24 | about $4.17 |
| California (33.61¢) | about $0.44 | about $7.65 |
Monthly figures assume 4 sessions a week, or about 17.3 sessions a month. Shorter sessions cost less: at 30 minutes, the same sauna comes to about $0.16 per session at the U.S. average rate and $0.29 in California.
Daily users in high-rate states will still spend less than many streaming subscriptions on the sauna's electricity, and most people will spend less than that.
What about the other Lumin sizes?
- Lumin One (1 person, $6,999): 2 far-infrared panels. Fewer panels usually means a lower draw, so expect to land at or below the Lumin Two figures. Check the exact wattage on the maker's spec label.
- Lumin Two (2 person, $7,999): 3 panels at about 1,750 W, as in the example above.
- Lumin Three (3 person, $9,999): 4 panels and the most coverage in the line. Expect a somewhat higher draw than the Two. Run the formula with the exact wattage before you plan your circuit.
Infrared vs. traditional: why the numbers differ
An infrared sauna warms you with radiant panels at a moderate air temperature. A traditional sauna heats the whole room with a heater and stones, so its heaters are usually larger.
The Orivon Auris One ($15,999) and Auris Two ($20,999) are traditional outdoor cedar saunas, not infrared. The Auris One offers an optional Harvia 4.5 kW heater. A full hour at full power on that heater works out to:
4.5 kW × 1 h = 4.5 kWh, or about $0.82 at the U.S. average and $1.51 at California's average rate.
As with infrared, that's a ceiling. The heater cycles once it reaches temperature. Traditional saunas usually need a longer warm-up, so plan your timing around that.
The takeaway: infrared usually costs less per session. Traditional saunas cost a bit more to run, and many people choose them for the heat, the steam from water on the stones, and the outdoor cabin feel. Either way, electricity is a small part of what you'll spend on a sauna.
Wiring and installation: the part that matters most
The electric bill is rarely the issue. Getting the circuit right is. A few things to check before you order:
1. Voltage and amperage
Amps = watts ÷ volts. A 1,750 W heater on a 120 V circuit draws about 14.6 A, which is close to the limit of a standard 15 A household circuit. That's why a dedicated circuit is the usual recommendation. The Lumin series is listed with 110 V and 220 V options, and the Auris models with 110 V, 220–240 V and 380 V options, so confirm the exact requirement for your model before you install.
2. A licensed electrician
Have a licensed electrician look at your panel and the outlet location. It's a short visit, and it means the sauna will run as designed without tripping breakers.
3. Space and weight
These are solid wood cabins. The Lumin One weighs about 725 lb, the Lumin Two about 985 lb, and the Lumin Three about 1,250 lb. An outdoor Auris needs a level pad and clearance. Measure doorways and the path to the install spot.
4. Delivery timing
Large Orivon saunas ship by freight, about $500 to the continental U.S., and lead times are listed on each product page. Plan your electrical work so it's done when the sauna arrives.
Five ways to keep running costs low
- Match the size to how you'll use it. A 1-person cabin that you use daily makes more sense than a big one that heats empty seats.
- Trim the warm-up. Learn how long your cabin takes to feel right and start it just that far ahead, rather than leaving it on all evening.
- Set a timer. Pick a session length you like and stick to it, so the heater isn't left running after you're out.
- Check your utility's time-of-use plan. On a TOU rate, sessions outside peak hours can cost less.
- Keep the door closed and the gaps sealed. Less heat escapes, so the heater cycles less.
What to look for when you buy
- Published wattage and voltage, so you can do the math and plan the circuit
- Panel count and placement (back, bench, sides) for even warmth
- Wood species and build quality, such as Canadian hemlock indoors and red cedar outdoors
- A clear warranty. Orivon offers 1 year on Lumin and 5 years on Auris, with standard exclusions.
- Honest shipping terms, with freight cost and lead time stated up front
Planning a full recovery setup? See our guide on whether to use the sauna before or after a cold plunge.
FAQ
How much does an infrared sauna add to the electric bill each month?
At about 1,750 W, 45 minutes a session and 4 sessions a week, it's roughly $4 a month at the July 2026 U.S. average rate and about $8 a month at California's average rate (EIA). Your own rate and habits will change that.
Does an infrared sauna need a special outlet?
Many need a dedicated circuit, and some models or configurations run on 220/240 V. Check the spec sheet for your model and have a licensed electrician confirm the outlet before delivery.
Is a traditional sauna more expensive to run than infrared?
Usually, yes. Traditional heaters are larger (for example, 4.5 kW versus about 1.75 kW) and need a longer warm-up. The cost per session is still typically in the range of a dollar or two at full power.
Can I put an infrared sauna outdoors?
The Lumin series is designed for indoor use. For an outdoor setup, look at a traditional cedar cabin like the Auris One or Auris Two.
Compare every model side by side in our sauna collection, or see how a sauna pairs with a chiller-cooled tub in our cold plunge collection.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor before starting sauna or cold-exposure routines.
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (July 2026 residential prices)
- Orivon Wellness product specifications listed on saunachiller.com product pages