Are you curious about these tankless toilets that are making a buzz on today's market? Today, you'll find out more about them. We've researched what's good and what's not with this unconventional toilet type so that you can see for yourself if you should go tankless in your home.
Tankless toilets are stylish, convenient to use, and require minimal maintenance. They help you save space, water, and money. They offer additional features to elevate your toilet experience, making them a great investment for your home.
But the cost and installation can be expensive, the operation can be noisy, and some features require connection to a power source before you can use them. Check if your plumbing system can accommodate this toilet type to make it a good fit for your home.
Continue reading to learn more about tankless toilets and how they work before we delve into the advantages and disadvantages of using them in your bathroom. Finally, we'll give you our verdict and let you know if going tankless is worth it. Let's get started!
What are tankless toilets and how do they work?
We're used to having toilets with tanks in our homes. But you've probably seen these tankless toilets in the public restrooms in restaurants, malls, or hotels. They look like they are floating above the bathroom floor, and you're wondering where the water that's used for flushing comes from.
Tankless toilets, as the name implies, don't come with the usual tanks attached to these facilities. In a typical toilet, the tank is used to store water to be used for flushing the toilet when needed. But since these newer toilets don't have tanks, they work more like having a faucet attached to your toilet bowl. The water is available on demand since it is connected to your mains.
Click this link to find this tankless toilet on Amazon.
These toilets use a two-valve system or "flushometer" involving high and low-pressure valves. The high-pressure valve is in charge of the water from the mainline, while the low-pressure valve regulates the water pressure that reaches the toilet bowl.
These two valves work together so that you get enough water pressure to flush the contents of the toilet bowl down the drain, no more and no less. The pressure should be maintained within 15 to 20 psi. Less pressure means you wouldn't be able to clean the bowl, while more pressure would have its contents sprayed all over your bathroom.
To activate the flush, you can make use of a lever, single or dual flush button, or the power-activated motion sensor. These are still similar to regular toilets.
So, that's how they work. The bottom line, they don't have tanks to store water, and they require high water pressure to flush your toilet efficiently.
What is the advantage of a tankless toilet?
Now that you have a better idea about tankless toilets, let's see what benefits you'll be enjoying should you replace your old toilet with this kind.
Spacesaver
Tankless toilets are ideal for those with small bathrooms. Tanks can be bulky depending on their size, and they can take up so much precious space in your bathroom. By removing the tanks, you have more space to move around or maybe make room for other stuff in the bathroom.
Water Saver
These toilets don't store any water. You just consume the amount of water needed to clean the contents of your bowl.
Some dual-flush tankless toilets consume as little as 1.28 GPF (gallons per flush). Some allow you to set how much water you'll use for liquid and solid waste.
The less water you consume, the less you have to pay for your water utility bill. So, you don't just save water, but you also save money when you use tankless toilets. This also makes them the eco-friendlier choice since you're conserving water.
Convenience
As mentioned earlier, tankless toilets offer water on demand. This means there's no need to wait until the tank is full before you can flush the toilet. Water is readily available for cleaning the bowl immediately after use.
Less Maintenance
With fewer parts in its system, there's less maintenance required and fewer repairs needed. This toilet type is also less likely to leak. This means you don't have to spend much on repairs and parts replacement which is a good thing.
Stylish
Tankless toilets give your bathroom a modern look. Tanks can be discolored or damaged, which will definitely reduce the overall appeal of your bathroom.
But these newer toilets come with a sleek design that adds edge and style to your bathroom. You can also choose if you want your toilet fixed to the floor or hung on the wall.
Don't worry because it isn't hard to match them with the rest of your stuff in there.
Additional Features
These modern toilets also offer different features depending on the brand and model that you choose. You'll find tankless toilets with night lights, heated seats, bidet toilet seats, spray massager, automatic flush, and a warm air dryer.
Check out this tankless toilet with additional features on Amazon.
Who says smart appliances are limited outside the bathroom? We usher in the age of smart toilets, adding value to your home.
Tankless toilets are space savers, water savers, convenient to use, and stylish. They also require less maintenance and offer modern features to go with your smart toilet.
What are the disadvantages of a tankless toilet?
Since we want you to come up with a wise decision when choosing the right toilet for your home, we also need to inform you about the drawbacks of using this type of toilet.
Expensive
The upfront cost for the tankless unit is quite expensive, especially when you compare it with conventional toilets. You'll spend about three times the price on this smart toilet.
Installation
You also need to factor in the installation cost since you would need an expert plumber to set it up. This is not recommended to be a DIY project. You just might end up doubling your cost.
These units require very high water pressure. If your current plumbing can't provide it, you'll need a pump (which usually runs using electricity).
This also means you would need to buy pipes to upgrade your water system and install electrical connections, too, so you can have a power outlet for your pump. If you want a bidet, you need a conversion kit so that you can connect it with your plumbing.
All in all, you may very well need the services of different professionals, such as a plumber and an electrician. You might also need to consult a contractor, especially if you want a wall-hung tankless toilet. You need to make sure that your wall can support the weight of your toilet and that it'll be installed properly without ruining the look of your bathroom.
Power Source
Not all tankless toilets require a power source, only those that come with a pump and additional features such as lights, massager, or dryer.
The bad news is you won't be able to flush your toilet when there's no power in your area. You also won't be able to enjoy the other features that rely on power to be activated.
Noise
The higher pressure needed to flush the toilet bowl comes with a louder sound when you use the toilet. The electric motor pump also adds to the noise if you're using one.
Tankless toilets are more expensive to buy and install. When you use these toilets, expect to experience a louder noise and be prepared for the possibility that you won't be able to use them when there's no electricity.
Are tankless toilets worth it?
Since we've already presented the benefits and drawbacks of using these tankless toilets, you can now decide if they are a good fit for your home.
The high upfront expenses and installation costs are compensated for by the money that you save in the long run with its usage and minimal maintenance and repair costs.
If you're concerned about not being able to use the toilet when there's no electricity, you can keep one regular toilet in one of your bathrooms in case of emergency.
We live in an age of smart technology, and it's high time that we enjoy its benefits in our toilets! So, if you have the means for it, you can go ahead and go tankless.
Embrace modern technology and design in your bathroom with tankless toilets. The advantages that they offer far outweigh the disadvantages, so replace the old with the new and enjoy their benefits each time you use your toilet.
Final Thoughts
Sure, going tankless has a lot of benefits, but in the end, you still need to evaluate if it's worth it given your circumstances at home. Check if you have enough water pressure to be able to run it efficiently without the use of an electric pump so that you can minimize the installation costs on your end and won't rely on electricity to use this facility.
To help you with your bathroom design, feel free to visit the following posts:
How to Measure a Toilet [Inc. Seat]
Does A Toilet Have To Be Against A Wall?