Bidets are becoming more popular and with that interest bidet installation questions have risen as well. I answer your questions and breakdown what to look for when selecting a new bidet.
Bidet installation can lead to many questions. You can install a stand-alone, add-on or toilet seat style bidet with the help of this article.
Your questions answered on installing a bidet.
Types Of Bidets?
For the home, there are a few common bidet types, the stand-alone bidet, the add-on bidet, and the toilet seat option bidet. Beyond that, there is a travel bidet which is what it sounds like, it is a portable bottle. Let’s look at the common home bidet options below.
The Stand-Alone Bidet:
The stand-alone bidet is the traditional type that is a built-in unit. It requires space for the unit to sit as well as its own water supply and drain with a trap. Since it is about the same size as a toilet, it will need the same space or room around it for installation.
The stand-alone bidet can be installed on the wall or the floor, but again will need space close to the existing toilet. Obviously, this type of bidet is not as favorable or DIY user-friendly as other options on the market.
The Add-On Bidet:
The add-on bidet is a type of attachment that you purchase an add-on to your existing toilet. This could be a handheld sprayer or an under-the-seat sprayer.
Handheld Sprayer:
The handheld sprayer is a simple, easy-to-use bidet option that attaches to the existing water supply using its own hose connection to a T-valve you install under the tank. These are small handheld sprayers with a control level to adjust the water.
The price point for handheld sprayer bidets is between $10 and $50 dollars.
Under Seat Sprayer:
An under-the-seat-sprayer bidet is a small nozzle attached to the underside of the toilet seat. You adjust the amount of water spray with a control knob on the side of the toilet seat.
These attach similarly to the handheld sprayers with a connection to the toilet tank. Easy to install and by anyone, these units are placed right under the current seat.
The price point for under-the-seat sprayer bidets is from $50 to $80 dollars.
Add-on bidets are the easiest to install as they do not require any previous tool or plumbing experience. And these types of spray bidets do not require an electrical connection.
The Toilet Seat Bidet:
The toilet seat bidet is an integrated bidet and toilet seat that you purchase to replace your current toilet seat. It generally has controls and features not found in the add-on type.
Some features available are a heated seat, air drying, nightlight, special control settings, adjustable nozzles, self-cleaning nozzles, and spray adjustments.
The toilet seat bidet will require an electrical connection for its features such as a heated toilet seat or an optional warm air dryer.
The installation is straightforward as it replaces the current seat and the water connects to the tank. As noted, an electrical outlet is required and you can run a small extension cord if it is properly rated.
The price point for a toilet seat bidet is between $100 to $600 dollars.
See the images below to get an idea of the versatility of bidet designs. These are Amazon affiliate links in which I get paid a commission if a purchase is made.
Be sure to check out my article: How To Conserve Water At Home to learn what improvements you can make to home water usage.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Bidet?
The cost to install a bidet will vary widely depending on the type of bidet and your knowledge and experience.
Most bidets can be installed by anyone with a screwdriver and wrench. Some bidets do require electricity so make sure an outlet is available close by before you decide on a purchase.
Average Costs:
An electrician charges between $50 and $100 US dollars per hour.
A plumber charges between $50 and $200 US dollars per hour.
The cost of a new bidet installed for you will be roughly $200 US dollars in addition to the cost of the bidet.
Do You Need A Plumber To Install A Bidet?
Absolutely not, you do not need a plumber to install a bidet. Bidets today are easy to install by just about anyone, and no previous plumbing experience is needed.
Some bidets have a warm water option, but these generally heat the water up themselves, not relying on a connection to the home’s hot water supply.
As I noted above, if you choose a model of a bidet that requires electricity, make sure there is an electrical outlet available close by.
Also check out: Moen MotionSense Faucet Not Working (How To Fix) to help you solve problems you may be having.
Can You Add A Bidet To A Regular Toilet?
Yes, you can install a bidet on a regular toilet. The most popular models today are add-on bidets that attach to your existing toilet. What’s more, they are very easy to install by almost anyone with common tools.
Depending on your price point and desired features, you can purchase an entry-level bidet that simply attaches to the water supply from the tank or a feature-rich bidet that replaces your current toilet seat.
If the bidet water pressure is too low, check the nozzle(s) for obstructions and ensure the water valve is fully open. Electric bidets commonly use a solenoid to control the water spray, check with your manufacturer for maintenance information.
Remove the current toilet seat, install the new bidet seat and attach a water line.
Do Bidet Toilets Need Electricity?
Some bidet toilets do require electricity to power features such as a heated seat or warm water spray. However, a wide selection of bidets do not need any electricity.
Thanks to the growing popularity of bidets today, you should be able to find a model suitable for your wants and needs in both electrical and non-electrical configurations.
Electrical bidets generally offer more features and as such do cost more, it just depends on what features you want. See above for the price points I listed for the various types of bidets.
Feature-rich bidets will require electricity but also cost more than non-electrical bidets.
Do Bidets Use A Lot Of Electricity?
Curious about how much power your electrical bidet uses?
Bidets in the U.S. connect to a 120-volt electrical connection. The electrical consumption will vary with the type of features your bidet has.
Brondell, a maker of bidet seats, reports that:
“Advanced bidet seat costs just $.006 per hour and $.14 per day in electricity. With heavy use the cost per day is just $.18. This means most electric bidet seats use less energy than your average coffee maker, computer or hair dryer.“
Do Add On Bidets Work?
Add-on bidets do work and work very well. Modern bidet add-ons such as the toilet seat bidet work as well as the traditional stand-alone models mostly found in parts of Europe.
Look, you get what you pay for. A cheap product of any type may not perform to your liking.
To ensure you make a solid buying choice, do some research on bidets. Think about the features you want and the price point you can afford.
With the proper installation of your bidet, the water pressure should be adequate to get the job done. This holds true for both hand-held sprayer types as well as toilet seat replacement models.
Add-on bidets work great; they’re effective, and hygienic, come with a variety of features, and are more popular than ever.
How Do I Choose A Bidet?
To choose a bidet, you need to shop around to discover all the different options available. First decide if you want a simpler hand-held sprayer model, or a more advanced toilet seat replacement bidet. See above for my explanations on both types.
Next on choosing a bidet, think about the features you want to enjoy.
Some of the features modern bidets have are: a heated seat, air drying, nightlight, special control settings, adjustable nozzles, self-cleaning nozzles, and spray adjustments.
Finally, some bidet models require electricity and some do not. Know beforehand if your bathroom has an available electrical outlet socket. This will help you select or narrow down your choices.
Think about the features and style you want in a bidet, as well as if electricity is available as some models require it.
What Can I Use Instead Of A Bidet?
Instead of using a bidet, you can just use your standard toilet or try a portable bidet. A portable bidet is simply a bottle with a nozzle designed to be carried with you.
Lastly, another alternative is to use disposable or flushable wipes. Curious about how much toilet paper your family uses? Try this handy toilet paper calculator.
Summary
There you have it, hopefully, this article covered all your bidet installation questions. Choosing and installing a bidet is easy to do for most people. The hardest part might be deciding among all the features available on modern bidets.
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