Choosing the best waterless toilet requires proper consideration of several factors, without which costly and uncomfortable mistakes can ensue.
Here are 8 factors to consider when choosing the best waterless toilet for your needs.
- How is the dry toilet’s performance?
A superb waterless toilet should be capable of comfortably handling excrement for all people in your household.
Apart from the days when the system undergoes routine maintenance, it should function optimally without any hiccups.
How often does the dry toilet need emptying? For example, if you go for a nano membrane waterless toilet, a trained technician will be emptying it frequently, preferably weekly. Will you be comfortable with that?
If you want a waterless composting toilet, you can choose either the batch system technology or the continuous system technology.
For the former, you’ll be able to make compost in different batches; that is, when one depositing bin is full, you transfer it to a different place to enable composting to complete.
In a continuous composting toilet, you’ll have a single chamber where all waste is collected and kept, until composting is complete. Which type do you like?
Therefore, assessing the dry toilet’s performance is important before making the purchase decision.
- What type of maintenance will the toilet require?
Installing an eco-friendly toilet requires you to be on the lookout, especially concerning caring for it.
If you choose a nano membrane waterless toilet, for example, you’ll need a trained technician for maintenance, something you may not need if you choose an ordinary composting toilet.
Therefore, inquire about the type of maintenance the toilet may require before making the order.
- Do you have sufficient space?
You should consider the space available in your house where the dry toilet system will be installed.
Some types of waterless composting toilets have their seats directly above the composting system. As such, for proper installation, they may need some space to be created beneath the floor.
Therefore, ensuring you have enough space to accommodate the kind of waterless toilet you intend to buy is important.
- Will the waterless toilet require electricity to power?
Most dry toilets do not require electricity to power. In fact, they actually generate electricity.
In case you prefer a dry toilet that requires electricity to power, you should consider its level of power consumption, maintenance requirements, and environmental friendliness before making the purchase decision.
- Is the toilet environmentally friendly?
As much as your preferred dry toilet can reduce the use of water in the disposal of human waste, it could still be environmentally unfriendly.
For example, an incinerating toilet uses fuel to burn human wastes, which release dangerous compounds to the atmosphere.
So, if you are environmentally conscious, it would not be the best dry toilet to buy.
- How useful are the by-products from the dry toilet?
The by-products from a waterless toilet can be of great benefit.
For example, some dry toilets produce hydrogen, biogas and compost fertilizer that can be used for various purposes.
You need to determine whether you can tap into these kinds of benefits from the wastes you dispose in the toilet. The more use you find for the by-products, the better the toilet is for your needs.
- Is the waterless toilet user-friendly?
Going for a toilet that is complicated to use will not give value for your money.
Importantly, the design of the dry toilet seat should give you a pleasurable experience.
It does not help being miserable every time you go to the toilet. Settle for a design that allows you to sit in comfort while in the toilet.
Furthermore, you should also consider the ability of the waterless toilet to take in the tissue paper used for cleaning after excretion.
Some types of dry toilets, such as nano membrane toilet, cannot effectively handle the tissue papers. Would you be willing to separately dispose the tissue paper and not perceive it as inconveniencing?
Therefore, choose a waterless toilet that is easy and comfortable to use.
8. Are there any local waterless toilet regulations?
Installing a waterless toilet in some places requires a permit.
The kind of dry toilets local authorities allow may limit your options.
Thus, it is essential to check with the local authorities before incurring the expense of buying a waterless toilet you might not use.
Conclusion
Pooing is a serious business that shouldn’t be taken lightly, right?
So, ensure you choose the best waterless toilet for your needs.
