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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Infrared Sauna in Ontario? (2026)
Infrared saunas heat the body directly with panels drawing 1.2 to 3 kW, and need only 10 to 15 minutes of warm-up. A 45 minute session uses about 1.5 kWh, a third of a traditional sauna.
A typical infrared sauna (1,800 W) costs C$0.27 per hour, or about C$6.08 per month at 0.75 hours a day in Ontario. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (1,200 W) | C$0.18 | C$0.13 | C$4.05 | C$49.27 |
| Typical (1,800 W) | C$0.27 | C$0.20 | C$6.08 | C$73.91 |
| High (3,000 W) | C$0.45 | C$0.34 | C$10.12 | C$123.19 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 0.75 h/day ≈ 493 kWh per year.
One hour of an infrared sauna (1.8 kWh) is the same electricity as
- 10km in an electric car
- 18hours of TV
- 40hours of a laptop
- 200hours of an LED bulb
In Ontario, with electricity at C$0.15 per kWh (source: Hydro-Québec 2025 comparison, 2025-04), a typical infrared sauna costs C$0.27 per hour and about C$73.91 per year at 0.75 hours a day. That is about 7% more than the national average for Canada (C$5.67 per month), because electricity in Ontario costs C$0.15 per kWh against C$0.14 nationally. Each C$1.00 of electricity buys roughly 3.7 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a infrared sauna
- Start the sauna 10 minutes before use, not 30.
- Keep the panels clean and unobstructed.
- Use a lower temperature setting for longer sessions.
In standby it draws about 1 W, which adds roughly 9 kWh (C$1.31) per year if it is never unplugged.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an infrared sauna cost to run?
About 1.5 kWh per 45 minute session. Check the daily figure above.
Is an infrared sauna cheaper than a traditional sauna?
Yes, by roughly two-thirds per session.
Does an infrared sauna use power when off?
About 1 watt for the control panel.
Compare with
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