Did You Know That Saunas Can Also Save Money On Electricity Bills?
A practical look at how an at-home sauna can lower — not raise — your monthly electricity bill.
As the economic climate changes, more and more people are looking for diverse ways to relax and unwind. Saunas are quietly becoming one of them — especially in the United States.
But when it comes to installing one at home, the same concern comes up again and again: the electric bill.
That concern is understandable. It is also, in most cases, the opposite of the truth.
An infrared sauna does not push your electricity bill up. Used well, it can actually help bring it down.
In this article, we'll walk through the three reasons why — and the simple math that makes the case.
Heating A Small Space Is Inherently More Efficient
Firstly, saunas are an efficient way to heat a small space.
Unlike heating an entire house, a sauna only requires a small amount of energy to warm up. In fact, an infrared sauna can reach 140–200 degrees Fahrenheit in roughly 20 minutes.
That focused heat is the first source of savings.
Most people don't think about it this way, but the time spent in a sauna is also time the rest of the house doesn't need to be heated as aggressively.
Add that up across a week, and a sauna session can quietly displace a meaningful share of whole-house heating.
Traditional saunas, by comparison, need stones and ongoing fuel to maintain their heat. An infrared sauna needs only electricity — and far less of it.
"The most efficient heater in your home may be the one that heats only you, not the whole house."
A Surprising Second Use: Drying Clothes
Second: a small life skill that many families overlook.
A purchased sauna can be used to dry clothes removed from the washing machine. Hang them inside, and the ambient heat dries them quickly and efficiently.
That means using the sauna instead of the dryer — for the right loads, at least.
It sounds almost unbelievable. It is, however, something SalusHEAT customers have already tried.
"Sometimes the most overlooked energy savings come from the appliance you weren't using for laundry."
Designed To Fit A Standard Household Outlet
Finally — and most importantly — a good sauna room should fit the way you actually live.
The price matters. The benefits matter. But the installation is what decides whether the sauna is used at all.
SalusHEAT indoor and outdoor saunas are designed around a standard American household socket. For 1–4 person models, that means no electrical work is required.
The only exception is the larger 4-person outdoor sauna. It draws more power and may need a small electrical adjustment — a minor modification, not a major renovation.
No carpenter is required for setup. Twenty minutes is usually enough to begin enjoying it.
"The best sauna is the one that doesn't ask you to rewire your home."
The intensity setting makes the running cost even easier to manage. Press the INTENSITY button to select 100%, 75%, or 50% levels of infrared intensity for different purposes and individual needs. If the sauna is rated at 1600W at full power, then the 50% setting will only consume about 0.8 kWh per session.
Key Insight
A standard SalusHEAT infrared sauna at full power draws about 1,600W. At the 50% intensity setting — which is plenty for most daily sessions — that drops to roughly 0.8 kWh per session.
Translated into dollars, a 40-minute session often costs less than running a hair dryer for the same amount of time.
Add up a few sessions a week, and a sauna can easily replace several hours of whole-house heating, dryer use, or space-heater runtime.
What if your most relaxing 40 minutes of the day were also one of the cheapest?
The Bigger Picture: Wellness That Costs Less, Not More
In the end, saunas are not only a way to relax and unwind. They are also one of the most efficient appliances you can add to a home.
By using a sauna to warm the body, dry certain clothes, and avoid unnecessary whole-house heating, you can lower overall energy consumption — without giving anything up.
"The next time you step into a sauna, remember that you are not only taking care of yourself. You are taking care of the environment, too."
The most efficient appliance in your home may be the one that gives you the most time back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do infrared saunas use a lot of electricity?
No. A typical SalusHEAT infrared sauna draws around 1,600W at full power and considerably less on lower settings. For most households, the per-session cost is small.
How much does it cost to run a sauna for 40 minutes?
At full power, a 1,600W sauna running for 40 minutes uses roughly 1.07 kWh. At 50% intensity, that drops to about 0.53 kWh — typically well under one dollar per session in most U.S. states.
Can a sauna replace a dryer?
For small, lightweight loads, yes. Many SalusHEAT owners use their sauna as a secondary drying space for towels, gym clothes, and similar items.
Do I need a special outlet for a SalusHEAT sauna?
Most 1–3 person SalusHEAT models plug into a standard 120V household outlet. The larger 4-person outdoor model may need a minor electrical adjustment during installation.
Is an infrared sauna more energy-efficient than a traditional sauna?
Generally, yes. Infrared saunas heat the body directly rather than warming the surrounding air to extreme temperatures, so they reach comfortable conditions faster and use less energy overall.
References
- U.S. Energy Information Administration — How much electricity does an American home use?
- Department of Energy — Space heating and cooling
- Cleveland Clinic — Sauna benefits
