Water-Saving Solutions: ADA Toilet vs Smart Toilet

When it comes down to it, the bathroom isn’t the most luxurious room in the house, but when it comes to water conservation, it’s crucial. And in this space, the unassuming toilet plays a key role. If you’re looking to upgrade your bathroom and reduce your water bill, you might be wondering: should you choose an ADA toilet or a smart toilet?

This is not just about appearance or fancy features. Choosing between an ADA-compliant toilet and a smart toilet can have a real impact on water usage, convenience, and even your daily life.

What Exactly is an ADA Toilet?

Breaking Down the ADA Standards

ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act. An ADA toilet is designed to meet the needs of people with physical limitations, but it’s not just about accessibility. These toilets are typically higher (17 to 19 inches from floor to seat) and offer more comfort for people of all ages and abilities.

Why ADA Toilets Are Gaining Popularity

ADA toilets were originally designed primarily for public spaces and commercial buildings, but now they are increasingly appearing in our homes. This is no coincidence. For elderly individuals or those suffering from joint pain, the height of these toilets makes sitting down and standing up much easier, truly thoughtful and convenient.

The better news is that many ADA-compliant toilets use efficient flushing technology that saves even more water than the EPA WaterSense standard. Which means you'll save a lot of water every time you flush compared to a regular toilet. So, it not only makes life more convenient but also helps reduce your household water bill—a win-win situation.

The Water Efficiency Angle

Looking to buy an ADA-compliant toilet? We recommend choosing a model that uses only 1.28 gallons of water per flush, or even less.

You can save thousands of gallons of water a year by switching from an old-fashioned toilet that uses up to 3.5 gallons of water per flush to this new ADA-compliant toilet. Not only does this do good for the planet, it also saves you a lot of money!

What is a Smart Toilet?

Tech Meets the Toilet

If you’ve never heard of a smart toilet, prepare to be impressed. These are the Teslas of the bathroom world. Equipped with features like heated seats, automatic flushing, built-in bidets, air dryers, and even Bluetooth speakers, smart toilets bring luxury and technology into your daily routine.

But here’s where it gets interesting: many smart toilets are also designed with water conservation in mind. Dual flush options, sensor-based flushing, and leak detection features make these high-tech thrones surprisingly eco-friendly.

The Smart Toilet Water-Saving Superpowers

Let's talk about how smart toilets save water. Many models of smart toilets are equipped with a dual flush system. If you want to use a small amount of water, choose the light flush, which uses only 0.8 gallons per second. Want a thorough flush? Choose the deep flush option, which delivers 1.28 gallons per second. Therefore, it also has sensors to ensure that only the necessary amount of water is used, eliminating the hassle of having to flush again when the toilet is not clean.

Some smart toilets are even more advanced, featuring a “pre-rinse” function. When this feature is activated, the need for additional flushing is significantly reduced. It’s no exaggeration to say that these technologies make smart toilets just as water-efficient as traditional ADA-compliant toilets.

ADA Toilet vs Smart Toilet: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Water Usage

Feature	ADA Toilet	Smart Toilet
Average GPF	1.28 GPF	0.8 - 1.28 GPF (dual flush)
Flush Type	Manual	Sensor-based or remote-controlled
Leak Detection	Rare	Common feature

The smart toilet is a great choice for those who want to save water.

Accessibility and Comfort

While smart toilets can be incredibly comfortable, not all of them meet ADA height and accessibility standards. An ADA toilet, by definition, is built for ease of use by people with disabilities and mobility issues. So if accessibility is a priority, ADA might be your go-to.

That said, some high-end smart toilets do come with ADA-compliant height and even voice-activated controls.

Installation and Maintenance

Installing a standard ADA toilet is relatively simple and inexpensive. You can often do it yourself or hire a plumber without breaking the bank.

From another perspective, smart toilets are not as simple and straightforward to use. They usually need to be plugged into a power outlet and require additional adjustments to the plumbing. Some models even need to be connected to Wi-Fi in order to function. Furthermore, because they contain electronic components, maintenance and servicing can be quite complicated and much more troublesome than with ordinary toilets.

Real-Life Scenarios: Which One Is Right for You?

For the Eco-Conscious Minimalist

Looking for a hassle-free way to save water? This WaterSense-certified ADA toilet is the ideal choice for you. Not only is it easy to use and affordable, but most importantly, it is much more water-efficient than older models. It's like having a water-saving butler in your home, both environmentally friendly and cost-effective, killing two birds with one stone.

For the Tech-Savvy Comfort Seeker

How about a toilet that can heat the seat, clean itself, and even talk to your smartphone? Then a smart toilet is calling your name. However, you need to be prepared to pay extra, and you may even need to hire an electrician.

Remember, smart does not mean difficult to use. There are hybrid models on the market that combine ADA features with smart technology.

For Families With Kids or Elderly Members

You may not realize how much of a difference a small toilet renovation can make. Imagine this: when the elderly in your family no longer have to worry about using the toilet, and when your children learn to use the bathroom independently for the first time, the look of relief on their faces. This is the magic of a toilet that meets accessibility standards—a seemingly ordinary home upgrade that can bring about a qualitative change in daily life.

Price Comparison and Long-Term Value

Upfront Costs

You can find a solid ADA toilet in the $200-$400 range, depending on the brand and features. Smart toilets start at $800 and can go well above $3,000 for luxury models.

Ongoing Savings

Both types of toilets have water-saving features that can help you gradually reduce your water bill. As for smart toilets, they are more automated and control water usage more precisely. It is possible that the savings will be even more significant if you reside in an area where water rates are relatively high.

However, when choosing a smart toilet, there are other factors to consider. It requires electricity, and you need to think about repairs if it breaks down, as well as occasional software updates. While these aren't direct expenses, they can add up to a significant hidden cost.

Environmental Impact: How Green is Your Bathroom?

Installing a smart toilet or ADA toilet is a big step toward sustainable living. Translating this into practical terms, the average household uses 13,000 gallons of water annually for flushing toilets.

Choosing an ADA-compliant toilet with WaterSense certification, though less technologically advanced, is highly effective and a great way to achieve environmental sustainability. You can also save water by using advanced features like leak detection and auto-flush on smart toilets.

Final Thoughts: Making the Smart Choice for Your Needs

The choice between an ADA-compliant toilet and a smart toilet ultimately comes down to personal preference. You prefer simplicity, convenience, and affordability, or do you seek innovation, luxury, and an ultra-efficient water experience?

There’s no wrong choice here—only the one that best fits your lifestyle. If you really want the best of both worlds? Consider a hybrid toilet that combines ADA compliance with smart technology. Because let’s face it, everyone deserves a toilet as efficient as they are.

One final tip: Whatever you choose, make sure it’s WaterSense certified. It’s the badge of honor for pursuing a more sustainable home.