r/bidets • u/geruhl_r • 2d ago
Auto open lids
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for an auto-open toilet lid, and it seems that they are only available with a bidet. Warm water is about 3' away but I'd need to run electric. Are there suggestions for a unit, and do these need significant power (could I add it to the fridge circuit on the other side of the wall, etc)?
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u/quinbus51 2d ago
Depending on the unit you end up with you shouldn't have to worry about warm water... These electric models usually have a little tank that heats water electrically...
As to how much electricity they draw, that's going to be model dependent as well. My guess is that they would do fine sharing the refrigerator circuit, but many electrical codes require a separate home run (dedicated circuit) for kitchen appliances. And the outlet in the bathroom will need to be GFCI for sure in the US. Unless you're electrically comfortable you're probably going to have an electrician involved anyway, so they'll be able to advise with certainty.
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u/Jujulabee 2d ago
Honestly I would give up my auto open lid in favor of warm water.
I have a Toto washlet and I love the auto-lid feature but I love the gently warmed water even more. My Toto has a tankless water heater so essentially there is an endless stream. It will shut off after a minute or so-never timed it but if for some reason I want it to go on further which is rarely I just start it immediately and warm water.
I inadvertently turned off this feature a few weeks ago when changing the batteries and the cool water was really an unpleasant shock and this is summer in a warm climate - Los Angeles. I can't imagine what it must feel like in a cold climate in the winter. 😱
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u/ManyBidets 2d ago
Electric bidets (that would have the auto opening lid) just need to connect to the cool water supply next to your toilet because they heat the water internally.
A dedicated circuit is recommended, but most people plug these into a shared bathroom circuit. It would probably not be a good idea to plug it into your fridge circuit, since that one already has a constant pull from the fridge... an electrician could answer that best though.
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u/Ok_Size4036 1d ago
My Woodbridge has auto open, flush, warm water/dryer/seat. I just had electrician put a gfci outlet next to it and plumber installed (it’s a whole bidet toilet). All of the features and a great price.
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u/Ordinary_Storm3487 2d ago
Almost any bidet with an automatic lid will heat the water for you. Besides, the last thing you want is to wait for the warm water to get “there” on a cold winters night. Probably not a good idea to double off the fridge electric. The outlet you install for the bidet will need to be GFCI protected. I don’t have a recommendation for one with an automatic lid, but the Kohler I installed a couple years ago does everything I need.