An electric bill with cost information
December 07, 2022

Are saunas energy efficient? 

Light Science

We understand the importance of responsible use of our energy resources. A Sunlighten infrared sauna is super energy efficient, and you’ll be surprised to learn just how inexpensive it is to run one. It actually takes less energy to run than most household appliances.

A product that is “energy efficient” uses the majority of the power supplied to accomplish its purpose. An average standard of 90% or more is considered energy efficient. Our saunas are nearly 100% energy efficient. We created this guide to help you calculate your estimated energy cost for a Sunlighten infrared sauna, plus show you how we design and construct our saunas to be energy efficient so you can feel good about adding one to your home or business.  

3 Reasons Sunlighten Infrared Saunas are Energy Efficient 
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In order to believe how inexpensive it is to run a Sunlighten infrared sauna, you’ll want to understand the components of their design that make this possible. Sunlighten Electrical Engineer Steven Bell explains three key points: 

  1. Resistive Heating - Sunlighten’s infrared saunas work using resistive heating, which is close to 100% efficient, meaning all the energy being used is converted to heat and nothing is lost. 
  2. Quality Construction - Our solid, extra thick construction and tight, magnetic seals results in very little heat loss. 
  3. Heating Technology – Our patented heaters don’t waste energy producing wavelengths that bounce off your body. Our highly emissive heaters are designed to produce wavelengths your body absorbs.  
How to Figure Energy Cost of Infrared Sauna 
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One session in a 1-person Sunlighten sauna will cost an average of about 32 pence. How do we come up with that amount? Let’s do the math: 

To figure out how much it will cost on average to run one sauna session, you multiply 3 numbers: your sauna’s power, your electricity rate, and your sauna and heat up time. There are energy calculators you can find online that make it easy. Here’s a link to an energy calculator.

The Signature 1-person sauna runs on 1350 kw or 1.35 kW/hr. Multiply that by the national average electricity rate of 30 pence/hour. That gives you your energy cost of 41 pence per hour.

For one 45-minute sauna session, including 45-minute heat up time, you’d spend 61 pence to heat your sauna up and enjoy a session in it.   

This is an example estimate. To figure the cost for the Sunlighten sauna you’re considering purchasing or already own, you can find the sauna’s wattage use in the Sunlighten sauna owner’s manual or on the product specs on our product website pages, and reach out to your energy provider to get your exact local energy rates.  

Electricity Cost Comparison 

For comparison, here’s a list of other items and their average energy consumption for some perspective. An infrared sauna is much cheaper than running a hot tub, plus infrared will provide all the great health benefits like detoxification, a boost in your immunity, heart health and more! 

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WRITTEN BY: Sunlighten

En mettant en lumière la technologie infrarouge, Sunlighten® est le choix numéro 1 pour des traitements personnalisés par lumière infrarouge. Depuis 1999, nous nous engageons à innover des produits et services de bien-être qui permettent à nos clients d'améliorer leur qualité de vie. Notre technologie brevetée SoloCarbon® rajeunit le corps en délivrant la plus haute dose d'énergie infrarouge au corps - prouvée efficace à 99 %. Nos innovations technologiques sont alimentées par notre passion de faire la différence. Et nous construisons une communauté mondiale d'entreprises, de consommateurs et d'experts de confiance pour se soutenir mutuellement et rendre le monde plus sain et plus heureux.

Les saunas Sunlighten ne sont pas des dispositifs médicaux tels que définis par la section 201(h) du Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act. Sunlighten fournit des informations générales relatives à diverses conditions médicales uniquement à titre informatif et ne se veut pas un substitut aux conseils fournis par un médecin ou un autre professionnel de la santé qualifié. Veuillez consulter votre médecin pour tout diagnostic ou traitement.