Find what a home sauna costs to run at your state's electricity price, and what circuit it needs. Pick a typical infrared sauna or traditional heater, or enter your own. Part of our free calculators and tools.
How it works
- Energy per session = heater kW × heat-up hours at full power + heater kW × session hours × average draw once hot.
- Once the room reaches temperature, heaters cycle on and off. Harvia says a heater runs at about half power after the first 30 to 40 minutes; Plunge says infrared saunas typically draw 15 to 25% below maximum.
- Cost = kWh × your electricity price. Monthly cost uses sessions per week × 52 ÷ 12.
- Current draw = watts ÷ volts. The National Electrical Code treats fixed electric heaters as a continuous load, so the circuit is sized at 125% of the heater's current (NEC 424.4(B), formerly 424.3(B)). Manufacturer charts give the breaker and wire for each heater size.
- State electricity prices are the average residential price from the U.S. Energy Information Administration for July 2026. Your own rate is on your bill.
Sources
- U.S. EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (July 2026)
- Harvia, The cost of heating a sauna
- Harvia wall heater guide (Almost Heaven) (breaker and wire sizes)
- Huum heater sizing chart
- Plunge, Infrared sauna electrical specifications (2026)
- Plunge, Infrared sauna operating costs (2026)
- Clearlight Sanctuary 2 spec sheet
- Finnleo sauna FAQ (heat-up times)
Sources last checked October 13, 2026. Electrical figures are for planning. A licensed electrician should confirm the circuit for your heater and local code.