How Much Does It Cost to Run an Infrared Sauna in Texas? (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 $0.29 per hour, or about $6.46 per month at 0.75 hours a day in Texas. Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low 1,200 W | $0.19 | $0.14 | $4.30 | $52.36 |
| Typical 1,800 W | $0.29 | $0.22 | $6.46 | $78.54 |
| High 3,000 W | $0.48 | $0.36 | $10.76 | $130.91 |
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 Texas, with electricity at 15.9¢ per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical infrared sauna costs $0.29 per hour and about $78.54 per year at 0.75 hours a day. That is about 13% less than the national average for the US ($7.43 per month), because electricity in Texas costs 15.9¢ per kWh against 18.3¢ nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 3.5 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running an 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 ($1.40) per year if it is never unplugged.
Is switching from an electric sauna heater to an infrared sauna worth it? Savings and payback
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
Cost by region
US states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Canadian provinces
Related appliances
- Electric Lawn Mower (Corded or Battery)1,200 W typical
- Electric Pressure Washer1,800 W typical
- Electric Sauna Heater6,000 W typical
- Electric Grill or Griddle1,600 W typical
Use the generic electricity cost calculator · Which uses more? Take the quiz