Any modern bidet toilet seat will provide warm water washing as its main function.  However, not all warm water is created equally. A major distinction between different bidet toilet seats is the method by which they heat the water.  Similar to water heaters for your home, bidet seats heat water in a few different ways: via a tank type heater, a tankless on-demand heater, or a hybrid of the two. Each types provide the user with a warm water wash, but which one is better for you? What are the pros and cons of each heating type?

This article will outline the benefits and issues associated with the various types of water heating methods that today's bidet seats employ. 

 

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Bidet Seats with Tank Type Water Heaters

Also Known As: Tank water heater, traditional water heater, reservoir type water heater, pre-heated. 

Popular bidet seat examples:  Bio Bidet BB-1000, Bio Bidet BB-800, Bio Bidet BB-600

How it works:  Bidet seats with tank type water heaters have an internal reservoir/tank of stored water.  The bidet toilet seat keeps the stored water heated to whatever temperature setting the user desires.  During wash, the bidet seat will draw water from this heated reservoir.  The warm water will last about 30 seconds before the wash gradually turns cooler until it reaches ambient temperature.  It usually takes about 5 minutes for the bidet seat's water tank to fully re-heat.  

Pros: Warm water is available immediately with no delay.  Bidet seats with tank type heaters tend to have higher spray pressure due to internal water pumps and ability to build up pressure inside the tank.  The higher pressure usually provides a quicker wash.  Tank type heaters have been on the market for decades and the technology is extremely reliable with a lower power draw of roughly 600W at their peak.  

Cons: Warm water only lasts about 30 seconds before it starts turning cooler.  Not as energy efficient as tankless types since the bidet seats have to keep the water heated when not in use (although you can use the "energy saving" mode to mitigate this).  Bidet seats tend to be bulkier in the rear of the unit to accommodate the internal water reservoir.

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Bidet Seats with Tankless Water Heaters

Also Known As: Tank-less water heater, instant water heater, on-demand water heater 

Popular bidet seat examples:    Brondell Swash 1400, Alpha JX, TOTO S550e, Clean Sense dib-1500R, Novita BH-90/93,

How it works:  Bidet toilet seats with tankless water heating systems do not keep a reservoir of stored water.  Instead, the heating element instantly heats the water stream when the wash is activated.  The water will stay warm at the desired temperature for as long as the user is washing and doesn't run out.  During wash, the bidet seat is able to heat the water "on-demand" allowing for quick temperature adjustments mid-wash.  Water heater stays idle when the seat is not in use. 

Pros: Unlimited warm water for as long as the user decides to wash - supply never runs out.  More energy efficient than traditional water heaters since the heater is only activated during wash.  Ability to change water temperature during wash.  Bidet seats with instant water heaters tend to be more slim and low-profile since they don't have internal water tanks in the rear.

Cons: Initial 1 second of wash will be room temperature before the water heats up. Water pressure usually not as high as tank type bidet seats.  During a wash cycle, tankless bidet seats draw a higher peak wattage around 1400W.

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Bidet Seats with Hybrid Water Heaters

Popular bidet seat examples:    Bio Bidet BB-2000, Alpha iX Hybrid, Kohler Novita BN-330, Bio Bidet A8

How it works:  Bidet toilet seats with hybrid heating systems are essentially a combination of the tank and tankless types.  This style of heating utilizes a smaller reservoir of pre-heated water, while also continuously heating the water during a wash.  The end result is unlimited warm water.

Pros: Unlimited warm water for as long as the user decides to wash.  Hybrid heated bidet seats can have higher spray pressure than tankless models, but this is not always the case. More energy efficient than tank type bidets.

Cons: Not as energy efficient as tankless bidet seats as there's still a pre-heated reservoir. Water pressure usually not as high as tank type bidet seats.  During a wash cycle, hybrid heated bidet seats draw a high peak wattage around 1200W.

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