Running cost by state
At the US average residential rate of 18.16¢/kWh (August 2026 (preliminary)), a 6 kW traditional sauna used 3 times a week costs about $12.39/month in electricity. A 1/2 HP cold plunge chiller costs about $16.80/month including water and filters. Rates are from EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A.
| State | Rate | Trad. sauna, per session | Trad. sauna / month | Infrared / month | Cold plunge / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $0.86 | $11.15 | $2.83 | $15.91 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $1.54 | $20.07 | $5.09 | $22.28 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $0.79 | $10.27 | $2.60 | $15.29 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $0.75 | $9.81 | $2.49 | $14.96 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $1.56 | $20.30 | $5.15 | $22.44 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $0.90 | $11.72 | $2.97 | $16.32 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $1.29 | $16.73 | $4.24 | $19.89 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $0.98 | $12.76 | $3.24 | $17.07 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $1.36 | $17.73 | $4.50 | $20.61 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $0.79 | $10.23 | $2.59 | $15.26 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $0.83 | $10.85 | $2.75 | $15.70 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $2.48 | $32.20 | $8.17 | $30.93 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $0.70 | $9.13 | $2.31 | $14.47 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1.01 | $13.19 | $3.34 | $17.37 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $0.89 | $11.62 | $2.95 | $16.25 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $0.90 | $11.64 | $2.95 | $16.27 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $0.81 | $10.56 | $2.68 | $15.49 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $0.72 | $9.42 | $2.39 | $14.68 |
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $0.68 | $8.78 | $2.23 | $14.23 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $1.69 | $21.92 | $5.56 | $23.59 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1.12 | $14.61 | $3.70 | $18.38 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $1.60 | $20.80 | $5.27 | $22.80 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $1.21 | $15.69 | $3.98 | $19.15 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $0.90 | $11.74 | $2.98 | $16.34 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $0.76 | $9.85 | $2.50 | $14.99 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $0.84 | $10.93 | $2.77 | $15.76 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $0.82 | $10.63 | $2.69 | $15.54 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $0.71 | $9.24 | $2.34 | $14.55 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $0.67 | $8.68 | $2.20 | $14.15 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $1.45 | $18.86 | $4.78 | $21.42 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $1.29 | $16.80 | $4.26 | $19.94 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $0.87 | $11.27 | $2.86 | $16.00 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $1.50 | $19.55 | $4.96 | $21.91 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $0.78 | $10.20 | $2.59 | $15.24 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $0.70 | $9.08 | $2.30 | $14.44 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1.02 | $13.23 | $3.35 | $17.40 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $0.78 | $10.11 | $2.56 | $15.18 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $0.84 | $10.87 | $2.76 | $15.71 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1.14 | $14.86 | $3.77 | $18.56 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $1.48 | $19.23 | $4.88 | $21.68 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $0.83 | $10.76 | $2.73 | $15.63 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $0.80 | $10.34 | $2.62 | $15.34 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $0.70 | $9.16 | $2.32 | $14.50 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $0.84 | $10.86 | $2.75 | $15.71 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $0.70 | $9.08 | $2.30 | $14.44 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $1.25 | $16.27 | $4.13 | $19.57 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $0.93 | $12.04 | $3.05 | $16.55 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $0.77 | $9.98 | $2.53 | $15.08 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $0.86 | $11.13 | $2.82 | $15.90 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $1.02 | $13.25 | $3.36 | $17.41 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $0.76 | $9.85 | $2.50 | $14.99 |
Assumptions
- Traditional sauna: 6 kW heater, 40-minute warm-up and a 30-minute session, 3 sessions a week (13.0 a month). The heater runs at full power for the first 35 minutes, then at half power. That gives 5.25 kWh per session. A sauna heater runs at full power for the first 30–40 minutes, then at roughly half power to hold temperature. Harvia's example: a 6 kW heater uses 4–5 kWh in the first hour and 3–4 kWh in the second (7–9 kWh for an hour of heating plus an hour of bathing); an 8 kW heater 9–13 kWh. (Harvia)
- Infrared: 1.775 kW (a 3-person carbon infrared listing) at full power for a 15-minute warm-up plus a 30-minute session (1.33 kWh). This is an upper bound, because many panels cycle once hot.
- Cold plunge: chiller 1.6 kWh/day (48.7 kWh/month), the midpoint of PlungeBox’s stated 1.4–1.8 kWh/day at 77°F room temperature and 46°F water. Plus 105 gallons refilled twice a year at $16.83 per 1,000 gallons (EPA WaterSense) and $7.67/month in filters (a Plunge 6-pack at $46, changed monthly). Hot climates, sun and colder set points will cost more.
- Rates are state averages. Your utility's rate, time-of-use pricing and fixed charges will differ. Use the calculator with your own rate.
Safety first. Saunas and cold plunges put real stress on your heart and circulation. If you have a heart condition, high or low blood pressure, are pregnant, or take medication, talk to your doctor before you use one. We don’t make health claims. This site covers costs only.