Do Bidets Have Warm Water?
If you've never experienced a warm water wash from an electric bidet, you’re missing out! Modern bidet toilets and electric bidet seats all come with some form of water heating that provides a more pleasant and luxurious experience.
While lower-end bidet attachments will still provide the necessary cleaning functionality you’re looking for, they're not always the most enjoyable to use.
Imagine a cold blast of water from a garden hose to your bum that you’ll have to twist a knob to control the pressure of.
You’ll still get clean and they are a great way to get acquainted with the experience of using a bidet, but for those in the know, warm water is definitely the way to go.
What are the different types of warm water bidets?
The main water source from your bathroom is put in contact with a built in heating element that warms the water for each use.
Electric bidets use one of three distinct ways to heat water:
- Tank
- Hybrid
- Tankless
We’ll go through each one and discuss the pros and cons of each so you can make the best decision for your home or business.
Tank Water Heaters
Bidets that use a warm water tank will collect water in a separate compartment that then is heated for each use. They are lower in price than bidets that offer instant warm water, but they tend to be bulkier models because of the water tank.
The tank is stored at the back of the unit and can be uncomfortable to sit on as it tends to push the user forward. They also use more energy because the water is constantly heated between each use.
You’ll get about 30 seconds of warm water before the tank is emptied and then the water will run cold, which can be disappointing.
Notice the larger, bulkier backside of a bidet with a warm water tank below:
Some examples of bidets that use warm water tanks that we’d recommend are the BB-1000 and BB-600 from Bio Bidet and the Washlet C5 and from TOTO.
What are the advantages of tank water heaters?
- Lowest price of all bidets that offer warm water
- Warm water from the start
What are the disadvantages of tank water heaters?
- Bulky and uncomfortable to sit on
- Only 30 seconds of warm water
- Higher energy usage
Hybrid Water Heaters
Bidets with hybrid water heaters get their warm water by using both a small water tank and an in-line instant water heater.
The water is continuously warmed and a less powerful instant water heater is used to keep refilling the smaller tank with warm water. They are truly the mid-range choice for those seeking some form of instant warm water.
Bidets with the hybrid water heaters are less expensive than tankless, instant water heating types. Since the tank is also smaller, these seats tend to be more comfortable to sit on than their tank-only counterparts.
The warm water wash will typically last about 45-60 seconds before the water runs cold but you can rely on warm water from the start.
One hybrid type water heating bidet seat we would recommend is the BB-2000 from Bio Bidet, as it reliably provides instant, unlimited warm water the entire wash.
What are the advantages of hybrid water heaters?
- Less expensive than tankless water heaters
- Less bulky than bidets with only tank water heaters
- Longer warm water wash thank tank only water heaters
What are the disadvantages of tank water heaters?
- Still less comfortable than tankless electric bidets
- Usually only 45 seconds of warm water
- Not as energy efficient as tankless
Tankless Water heaters
Tankless water heaters offer instant, unlimited warm water from the very start of the wash and it’s typically the most sought after feature of an electric bidet.
They are the most expensive option but for good reason. Because they don’t have a tank, they tend to be much more comfortable to sit on. They are sleek and thin and look less bulky as well.
Despite the fact that they are initially more expensive, they do use much less energy. Because they don’t have a tank, they aren't constantly heating a reservoir of water. The inline water heater is more powerful than a hybrid’s and the water is only heated as it’s used.
While they do offer unlimited warm water, some models might have a short burst of cold water at the start. This is very short and mostly unnoticeable as it lasts less than one second, but some users who are more sensitive might notice.
If you’re looking to avoid this, the Eco-Nova bidet seat is a tankless water heater type that has unlimited warm water from the very start with no short burst of cold water.
The TOTO Washlet S7A is another great example of an efficient design resulting in instant and unlimited warm water.
What are the advantages of tankless water heaters?
- Unlimited warm water
- Most comfortable to sit on
- Lower energy usage than tank heaters
What are the disadvantages of tankless water heaters?
- Higher price than the other types of water heaters
- A short burst of cold water at the beginning is possible with some models
Can you get warm water from a non-electric bidet?
The short answer to this question is yes. In order to accomplish this, you would need to attach a Y-valve to your bathroom’s sink faucet and run a hose to your non-electric bidet seat or attachment.
Not all non-electric seats or attachments offer this feature, so it’s important to research which ones this will work with.
Another thing to consider is the fact that the warm water is coming from your home’s main water supply and will be heated by your main hot water heater. This means that it could take 30 seconds or longer before your wash water would even be warm.
Depending on how long it takes for your water to heat up at home, this may not be a viable option for you. It’s also important to monitor how hot your water gets, as this will be directed at a very sensitive area on your body.
If your home’s water heats up quickly and you don’t mind washing with cold water before it finally becomes warm, then this might be an option for you.
We personally don't recommend these types of non-electric warm water bidets. From our experiences and the experiences of others who’ve used them, they just aren’t worth the hassle of hooking up and running a hose from your sink to your toilet. If it takes your water a longer time to warm up, this option wouldn't make much sense.
What are the advantages of non-electric warm water bidets?
- Lowest price option
- Comfortable to sit on
- Least complicated option
What are the disadvantages of non-electric warm water bidets?
- Having to wait for the wash water to warm up
- Hoses running from sink to toilet
- No other features
Which bidet option is the best for me?
If you’re willing to spend the extra money, the tankless electric bidet is definitely the way to go. You’ll save money in the long run on energy usage as the water won’t need to be constantly kept warm in a tank and you’ll never run out of warm water either.
Tankless bidets are more comfortable to sit on and look more sleek and stylish in your bathroom as well. If you want to consider your overall bathroom decor, then the thinner the seat and more seamless it attaches to your toilet the better.
If you want to save a couple hundred dollars now, the hybrid model mentioned above is a great happy medium. There’s also nothing wrong with the models utilizing a tank. If this is your first time using an electric bidet then try these out! After time you may get pickier and decide you need an upgrade.
If you have any questions about any of the types of warm water bidets we sell, give us a call at 707-297-3991 and we’d be more than happy to help.
Whichever type you end up choosing, you’ll still be getting a more hygienic bathroom experience and saving money and trees by cutting down on or eliminating toilet paper use.
Let us know in the comments what you think about with tankless vs tank water heaters for bidets.
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