Infrared vs. Wood-Fired Saunas (Part 2): Sustainability, Maintenance & Who Each Sauna Fits Best

 

In Part  1 of this series, we uncovered the history and heritage of saunas, how wood-fired and infrared models work, and the health benefits each one provides. But as beautiful as the culture and health science are, there’s a practical side to sauna ownership that can’t be ignored.

Beyond the ritual of steam and the promise of relaxation, most people ask the same three questions before choosing a sauna:

• Which one is better for the environment?
  
  
• How much work will it take to keep it running smoothly?
  
  
• Which sauna actually fits my lifestyle?
  
  

In this second installment, we’ll answer those questions in depth. We’ll explore the energy use and sustainability of both types of sauna, the real maintenance they require, and how each aligns with different ways of living—from the nature-loving traditionalist to the busy urban professional. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of which sauna makes the most sense for you.

 

Energy & Sustainability: Which Sauna Has a Lighter Footprint?

Today, sustainability matters more than ever. Whether it’s the energy we use at home or the materials we consume, we want wellness practices that align with our values. But when it comes to saunas, sustainability isn’t as simple as “wood is bad” or “electric is clean.” Both wood-fired and infrared saunas can be sustainable—or not—depending on how you use them.

 

The Closed Carbon Loop of Wood-Fired Saunas

A wood-fired sauna might seem old-fashioned in a world obsessed with efficiency. But in reality, when you burn locally sourced wood, you’re participating in a closed carbon loop. Trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, and when they die—whether they decompose naturally or are burned—that carbon is released back into the atmosphere. You’re not introducing new fossil carbon; you’re simply continuing nature’s cycle (source: ResearchGate).

In rural communities or forested areas, this is easy to do responsibly. Many sauna owners collect fallen branches, use scrap wood from other projects, or even repurpose cutoffs from sustainable forestry. The result? A sauna experience with minimal environmental impact that doesn’t rely on the electrical grid at all.

It’s why even in modern Finland, many cabins still rely on wood-fired stoves for their saunas. The fuel is renewable, abundant, and connects you directly to your environment.

But there are caveats. If you live in a city and have to truck in firewood from miles away, or if that wood comes from unsustainable sources, the carbon footprint grows. And while modern stoves burn very cleanly, they still release some fine particulates into the air—something infrared saunas don’t do at all.

 

The Energy Efficiency of Infrared Saunas

Infrared saunas are often marketed as the “green” alternative, and for good reason. They heat your body directly rather than warming all the air around you, which makes them far more energy-efficient per session.

A typical 30-minute infrared sauna session uses only a fraction of the energy required to heat a full-size traditional sauna cabin for two or three hours (source: GoodRx). And because infrared saunas operate at lower temperatures—usually between 110 and 135 °F—you don’t have to keep them running as long.

But here’s the trade-off: infrared saunas are entirely grid-dependent. If your electricity comes from renewable sources like solar or wind, the carbon footprint is very low. But if you live in a region where the power grid is still fueled primarily by coal or natural gas, you’re indirectly tied to those emissions.

So while infrared saunas save energy session by session, their long-term sustainability depends on how clean your electricity really is.

 

Portable Sauna Tents: The Hybrid Solution

Then there’s a middle ground—portable sauna tents, like those from North Shore Sauna. These combine the authenticity of a wood-fired stove with modern efficiency.

Here’s why: a sauna tent is small and highly insulated, so it doesn’t take hours and hours to heat. In fact, you can get it up to proper sauna temperatures in 30–40 minutes using only a small bundle of wood. This dramatically reduces fuel consumption while still letting you enjoy the crackle of fire, the smell of wood smoke, and the satisfying hiss of steam on stones.

In many ways, a sauna tent merges the best of both worlds: it’s off-grid and traditional like a wood-fired sauna but nearly as quick and efficient as an infrared sauna.

 

So which sauna is more sustainable?

• Wood-fired saunas can be nearly carbon-neutral if you use local, renewable wood.
  
  
• Infrared saunas are very energy-efficient but rely on the sustainability of your electricity grid.
  
  
• Sauna tents minimize both grid dependency and fuel use, landing in the sweet spot between tradition and efficiency.
  

Maintenance & Practicality: What’s It Like to Own Each Sauna?

Beyond sustainability, sauna ownership comes down to one thing: how much time and effort do you really want to put in?

Let’s talk about what daily life with each sauna looks like.

 

The Ritual of Maintaining a Wood-Fired Sauna

Owning a wood-fired sauna is more than just having a hot room. It’s a process. Before you even step inside, there’s a rhythm you have to follow.

You’ll need a steady supply of firewood, which means either chopping, stacking, and seasoning it yourself or buying it regularly. Before each sauna session, you’ll light the stove and tend the fire, patiently waiting as the stones slowly absorb heat. Depending on the weather and the size of your sauna, this might take one to three hours.

Then, after your session, there’s cleanup. You’ll need to empty ashes periodically and occasionally inspect and clean the chimney to avoid creosote buildup.

It sounds like work—but for many sauna enthusiasts, this is part of the appeal. Tending the fire becomes a meditative ritual, a way to slow down before you even enter the sauna. The preparation makes the session itself feel more intentional.

Portable sauna tents simplify this. Because they’re smaller, they need far less wood, produce less ash, and don’t have a chimney to maintain. Lighting the fire is still part of the process, but you’re ready in under an hour and cleanup is minimal.

 

The Simplicity of an Infrared Sauna

Infrared saunas, in contrast, are almost effortless.

There’s no firewood. No chimney. No ash. You simply plug it in, press a button, and wait about 10–15 minutes for it to preheat. Because infrared saunas don’t create steam or high humidity, you also don’t have to worry about moisture damage or mold.

Maintenance boils down to wiping down surfaces and occasionally replacing a heater panel after several years of use. That’s it.

For someone with a busy schedule—or someone who wants to sauna daily without a big time commitment—the convenience is unbeatable.

 

The Cost of Time

When we talk about practicality, it’s not just about money—it’s about your time.

• A traditional wood-fired sauna session might take three hours total, including prep, heating, sauna time, and cleanup.
  
  
• A portable sauna tent cuts that to about an hour and a half.
  
  
• An infrared sauna can be start-to-finish in 30–40 minutes, including preheat and shower afterward.
  
  

Which one fits your life depends on whether sauna is your main event or just part of a larger wellness routine.

 

Who Each Sauna Fits Best

So who’s best suited for each sauna style? It comes down to values, time, and intention.

 

The Wood-Fired Sauna Traditionalist

If you love ritual, nature, and connecting with something primal, you’re a wood-fired sauna person. You don’t see firewood as “extra work”—you see it as part of the therapy.

Wood-fired saunas are perfect for:

• Nature lovers who want to smell wood smoke, hear the fire crackle, and step into cool fresh air after each round.
  
  
• Social sauna-goers who see the sauna as a gathering place for friends and family.
  
  
• Traditionalists who want the same experience that’s been cherished for centuries in Finland and beyond.
  
  
• Off-grid dwellers who want total independence from the grid.
  
  

For this group, a sauna session isn’t just heat therapy. It’s a sacred ritual, a way to slow down and reconnect.

 

The Infrared Sauna Minimalist

If you see sauna as a wellness tool, not a ritual, infrared might be perfect. You value efficiency and convenience and don’t want your sauna to become another thing you have to “manage.”

Infrared saunas are ideal for:

• Busy professionals who want a quick 20–30 minute session on a tight schedule.
  
  
• Athletes and biohackers who are focused on pain relief, recovery, and reducing inflammation.
  
  
• Urban dwellers with limited space or no outdoor area.
  
  
• Minimalists who want plug-and-play wellness without extra steps.
  
  

For this group, the sauna is purely functional—and that’s okay. It doesn’t need to be steeped in tradition to deliver benefits.

 

The Hybrid Sauna Seeker

And then there’s the person who wants both worlds. They want the authenticity of fire and steam but don’t have the time or space for a permanent wood sauna.

That’s where North Shore Sauna’s portable sauna tents come in. They heat in 30–40 minutes, require very little wood, and still give you the true sauna experience—stones, steam, fire, and all. You can set them up by a lake, at a campsite, or in your own backyard and pack them away when you’re done.

For people who crave authenticity but live in a modern, fast-paced world, sauna tents are the perfect hybrid solution.

 

Sustainability Meets Lifestyle

When you combine sustainability, maintenance, and lifestyle fit, here’s what emerges:

• Wood-fired saunas are sustainable when fueled by local wood, deeply rewarding for those who love ritual and community, and perfect for off-grid living.
  
  
• Infrared saunas are efficient and low-maintenance, making them ideal for busy people who want the benefits without the prep.
  
  
• Portable sauna tents bridge the gap, offering authentic fire-heated steam in a fast, efficient, and flexible way.
  
  

Ultimately, the “right” sauna isn’t just about energy or convenience—it’s about what sauna time means to you.

Part 2 Summary

Energy & Sustainability:

• Wood-fired saunas can be carbon-neutral with local, renewable wood.
  
  
• Infrared saunas use less energy per session but rely on the sustainability of your electricity grid.
  
  
• Portable sauna tents minimize both fuel and time, merging tradition and efficiency.
  
  

Maintenance & Practicality:

• Wood-fired cabins require more prep and cleanup but create meaningful ritual.
  
  
• Infrared saunas are nearly maintenance-free and heat in minutes.
  
  
• Portable sauna tents simplify wood-fired sauna upkeep while keeping authenticity.
  
  

Who They Fit Best:

• Wood-fired = ritual seekers, nature lovers, off-grid enthusiasts.
  
  
• Infrared = busy professionals, athletes, urban dwellers, minimalists.
  
  
• Portable tents = anyone who wants both authenticity and convenience.
  

 

In Part 3, we’ll explore the aesthetics and lifestyle fit of each sauna type, compare long-term costs, and look at the social side of sauna culture—from solo meditation to communal traditions.

Until then, ask yourself: do you want your sauna to feel like a quick wellness routine—or a ritual that reconnects you with nature? Your answer will guide you to the right heat.

References

• ResearchGate: Sauna Steam Traditions
  
• GoodRx: Infrared vs. Traditional Sauna
  
• Cleveland Clinic: Infrared Sauna Benefits
  
• Mayo Clinic: Infrared Sauna FAQ

 

Please note that the content on North Shore Sauna's blog is for informational purposes only. The sauna experience is highly individualized, and what works for one person may not work for another. We strongly encourage you to always listen to your body and its unique needs.

For any specific health concerns or questions related to your body, we recommend consulting with a qualified medical professional before using a sauna.