Electric Composting Toilets: Are they right for you?

Electric composting toilets are the next step to sustainable living. They’re designed for single person use and will quickly break down waste with minimal odor – as well as save you a lot of time, money, water usage and more!

One of the most important decisions you can make when looking for an electric composting toilet is deciding which one will be right for your needs.

Electric toilets are a great option if you have limited space or don’t use much water, but they do come with their own set of pros and cons.

In this article, we’ll weigh out the advantages and disadvantages, as well as go through some of the more popular models on the market today to help you decide which one is best for you!

What are electric composting toilets?

Electric composting toilets are usually dry flush systems that use only a small amount of water or none at all. You can take a look at our article on waterless toilets.

They typically work very well in areas that experience power outages, such as rural communities and developing nations where running water is not available.

These systems do not rely on a plumbing hookup to function but rather use an electrical pump for the flushing process.

Electric composting toilets are the best if you’re looking for longevity. They typically have a longer lifespan than other types of composting toilets and will be able to handle heavy use without breaking down or falling apart as some traditional toilets can.

This can make them an investment that will last for years!

The demand for more eco-friendly alternatives to the traditional toilet has led us to the use of electric (and non-electric) composting toilets.

Here we’ll go over how they work, their benefits, and what things you need to consider before purchasing one for yourself.

Types of composting toilets: Electric

Electric composting toilets come in two different styles: self-contained composting toilets (built into the ground) or standalone.

Small sanitary ware with a detachable tank and a liquid disposal tank are included in self-contained systems.

As the name implies, the whole composting process takes place in the bathroom.

Self-contained systems are portable and may be used in places where there is no access to water, such as a warehouse or a garage.  

Tanks or supply lines to drain waste into chambers underneath are sometimes included in this type of system.

Self-contained electric systems need to be installed by a licensed plumber while stand-alone tend to be easy to install because they have everything already built inside of them

Before deciding whether self-contained or stand-alone, non-electric, or electric units are best for your household needs, it’s important to weigh out the pros and cons of these composting toilets.

The Electric Composting Toilet: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Low Maintenance – The electric composting toilet is a completely waterless facility, a feature that will entice environmental enthusiasts. There won’t be any need for the periodic maintenance required by normal toilets because everything happens on its own! This includes cleaning and no worries about clogging or running out of space in your sewer line.
• Renewable energy sources – In most cases these are dry flush systems that require no water to run. As an added bonus, many manufacturers have solar composting toilets so you can feel good knowing it’s all powered by green resources like solar panels or wind turbines, not fossil fuels.
• They are often cheaper than the competition, save water, and are easier to install

Cons

• A disadvantage of electric composting toilets is the lack of a vent and exhaust fan. Exhaust fans purify the air by eliminating smells, dampness, smoke, and other impurities. Mold may grow when there is a lot of steam and moisture in the air. The steam is discharged outdoors when you use an exhaust fan, which helps you manage mold in your Bathroom.
• The lack of an exhaust fan could potentially be detrimental to your health. Bathrooms that are not ventilated properly can create health concerns. Asthma is one major health issue that can be exacerbated due to improper ventilation in your house. A bathroom with degraded indoor air quality also can trigger or aggravate allergies.

Models of electric composting toilets to choose from:

There are many different models of composting toilets that run on electricity that you can choose from, as well as various brands such as Nature’s Head, Sun mar, Separett, and many more.

One of the most popular, and highly reviewed brands for electric composting toilets, is Nature’s Head. Nature’s Head is also compared to the Airhead Composting Toilet.

The highest-rated reviews on this product are regarding customer satisfaction with its design, performance, and reliability.

Sun Mar is another highly rated brand for composting toilets and is available in both electric and non-electric models, similar to that of Nature’s Head.

Below is a list of composting toilets along with their average price and notable features, to help you decide on the best option for you.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, if you would like to install an electric composting toilet at home, or are even interested in purchasing one, there is plenty of models to choose from, as mentioned in this article.

We’ve mentioned what we think are some of the best composting systems but maybe you are leaning towards a non-electric solution, a dry-flush solution, or another type of composting toilet solution not mentioned in this article.

But if you have decided that electric composting toilets are right for you, it’s important to look at the following checklist before you buy.

Before buying, consider:

Check the size and arrangement – If you’re going to put a composting toilet in a tiny residence, you’re going to need a lot of room.

To mix the compost, these toilets include handles that extend from the front or side (depending on the manufacturer). Make sure there’s enough area in your bathroom for you to turn the handle comfortably.

Consider the size of your family – these solutions aren’t meant to be used for lengthy periods of time.

If you have a large family, one of these toilets may not be suitable.

Environmentally friendly toilets for tiny houses are an excellent method to help the environment while also allowing you to live off the grid.

Strategy for airflow – From the toilet to the exterior of your house, a small ventilation shaft will run. This column should be as short as necessary, with no curvature, for effective ventilation.

You can use a fan to improve the efficacy of the ventilation, but it would be good if you didn’t have to do it all of the time.