The lowdown on loos
As technology pervades the home with devices such as Alexa to control appliances and entertainment and even start cars, it’s no surprise toilets are in line for some upgrading. Heated seats, a button panel for warm water bidet functions, night lights and self-closing lids are some of the options in a new range of so-called smart toilets.
Of course, the Japanese, always a nation for cutting-edge gadgets, have been doing this for decades. Family Handyman website offers a look at five models that are making inroads into the modern bathroom, perhaps some to consider for your renovations:
ENTRY LEVEL
The Ove Decors smart toilet automatically flushes when you trigger a sensor by standing up. This model, selling for US$1,043 ($1,380) on sale on the Ove Decors website, is reasonably priced, Family Handyman says, and has features you might find on more expensive models. These include bidet options such as water pressure control and dryer. Water heating begins when you sit down and the bidet wand is self-cleaning. There’s also a night light.
ECO-FRIENDLY
The Dyconn Aqua tankless toilet uses just 4.5 litres of water, making it a key selection for conservation. It also has a multitude of smart toilet features, such as a heated seat, a remote unit for the bidet functions including two bidet wands for front and rear spraying and different nozzles. The unit has an antimicrobial coating to reduce surface bacteria by 98 per cent.
GOLD-PLATED
When money is no hindrance, here’s one for US$12,000 ($15,900). The Toto Neorest NX2 features germ-fighting attributes on several levels. An ultraviolet light affixed to the toilet seat works with special toilet bowl glazing to target bacteria. The unit disinfects its water by electrolysis before flushing and bidet use. There are a variety of bidet nozzles and automatic features including seat opening and closing, flushing and bidet wand cleaning. The remote control unit retains preferences.
SMALL-SPACE
The SaniCompact doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the others, but sports a space-saving feature. The unit’s macerating unit minimizes waste so it can be expelled through a one-inch pipe instead of the usual four-inch flange in the floor. That can ease remodelling efforts. Its ability to pump 2.7 metres vertically means it can be installed below the level of a sewer main, making it a good option for basements, for example. And it can be connected to a 1¼inch sink drainpipe, helping with small-space renovations. It’s also water efficient at 3.8 or 4.8 litres per flush.
BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
The Toto Washlet is a toilet commonly found in Japan, first introduced 40 years ago. Like others mentioned above, the G400 model has a remote, along with bowl glazing to disinfect and reduce cleaning. Three flushing jets ensure effectiveness and it can toggle between using 4.8 litres or 3.4 litres of water. Automatic features include flushing, a self-cleaning bidet and an opening and closing heated seat. The bidet has options for men and women. It lists on Amazon for US$2,022 ($2,680).