With this crucial part of the bathroom going high tech, you’re almost forced to wonder – could toilets be next?

As it turns out, the smart toilet revolution is already here!

While we’ve brought up some of our favorite toilet innovations – including dual-flush technology and super-efficient low flow models – before, there are also a slew of super high tech features either on the market or on their way, as this great article from CNET points out.

What’s in store for the toilet of tomorrow? Let’s break down a few of the features that could be coming to a bathroom near you:

Hands-Free Flushing

Most of us are familiar with hands-free toilets, having come across them in airports, restaurants, and other places all across the world. Increasingly, manufacturers are looking to bring this technology into homes, using one of two methods: a sensor that detects when a body has moved away from the toilet, or a sensor that lets you flush with just a wave of your hand.

It’s easy to see the advantages of these sensors. For one thing, freeing yourself from having to touch a toilet handle frees you up from the grossness that is constantly transferring germs and bacteria. For another? That lazy flusher in your house no longer has an excuse to leave a messy bowl; instead, the toilet will take care of it, every single time.

Overflow Prevention

Have you heard of “FlushIQ” technology? It’s a mechanism that stops your toilet from overflowing, and it’s becoming more and more standard on models like this one.

With FlushIQ and similar features, your “smart” toilet is able to recognize when it’s clogged; this causes the unit to lock down and prevent you from flushing, which, in turn, prevents messy overflow and spillage while still leaving enough water in the bowl to properly plunge.

Water Conservation

One of the obvious perks of digitizing your toilet comes from the fact that a computer should be better able to regulate water usage than a standard flushing mechanism, which uses the same amount of water, every single time.

With a “smart” toilet, your unit may be able to go so far as to gauge the density of the *ahem* amount of waste in the bowl, and shift water usage accordingly; according to CNET, “smaller flushes can use as little as 0.6 gallons per flush (GPF),” while “a basic toilet that doesn't have smart flush technology uses around 1.6 gallons.”

And there are plenty of other features that make a few smart toilets stand out, including built-in night lights, self-deodorizers, and even air dryers, heated seats, and foot warmers. Of course, it’s important to recognize that all of these perks do come at a price; as CNET points out, smart toilets do require electricity to work. Many use batteries, but others will have to be wired into your home, which could add to your electric bill and require regular visits from an electrician.

The choice is yours! Would you go for a smart toilet? What futuristic feature is a “must-have” for your household? We’d love to hear from you on Facebook or Twitter!

And don’t forget that whether your toilet is whip smart or dumb as a sack of hammers, it’s going to need service every now and then. For assistance or an estimate, don’t hesitate to drop Combat Plumbing a line today! Our team is here and always ready to help.



   
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