Today’s article looks at whether bidet water is heated. There are several types of bidets, so there is a range of temperatures.
Electric bidets spray warm water (~104°F/40°C). Most models provide heated water for a minute but luxury seats offer endless warm water. Non-electric seats, bidet attachments, and handheld sprayers typically cleanse with unheated water (60°F/25.5°C), though dual-temperature models exist.
Quick note: recently, I wrote an article on the best warm water bidets for the money including electric and non-electric options.
Before we dive in, here’s a quick summary of the temperature range you can expect with basic non-electric bidets:
The temperature of the cold water was taken during a cold snap, but overall the climate of the Southeast US is mild compared to other areas of the country.
Here are the results in case you didn’t watch the vid:
As mentioned in the vid, 60 F is cool but not enough to cause a lot of discomfort once you get used to it (that’s my opinion).
But, if you live in a cold area, you can expect temperatures in the 40’s during the winter which would be too cold for most. Hence, I’d get a heated bidet in that situation.
Here, I’ll post a table with average water temperatures for different kinds of bidets. In case you’re new to the subject, here’s a quick rundown on the different types of bidets.
The average temperatures are as follows:
| Electric | Non-Electric |
Warm Water Non-Electric |
|---|---|---|
| TOTO: Up to 104F or 40 C |
Seat, Attachment: 40-70 F or 4.4 C |
Dual Temp Seat, Attachment: Up to 140 F or 60 C |
| Brondell: Up to 100 F or 37.7 C |
Handheld Bidet: 40-70 F or 4.4 C |
Handheld Bidet w/Mixing Valve: Up to 140 F or 60 C |
| Bio Bidet: Up to 104 F or 40 C |
||
| Omigo: Up to 100 F or 37.7 C |
As you see from the table, the “cold” water temperatures can vary quite a bit because the temperature range just reflects the cold-water inlet temperatures for cold water appliances in general. The data are taken from average cold water inlet temperatures for different US states (source).
So, if you’re in Arizona in the Summer, your experience will be way different than someone in Nunavut Canada during the winter months.
As you can see, heated non-electric bidets can get kind of toasty, but temperatures could only reach that high if the cold nozzle was turned all the way off.
The 140 F figure is based on the max temp put out by home water heaters. It does not take into account any temperature-limiting devices that keep water at 110-120 F max. Not all bathroom fixtures or bidets have these devices (or have them installed correctly) so I wanted to list the high number so folks will be careful not to get scalded.
Heated Warm Water Electric Bidets
Electric bidets spray warm water, not hot water (though cases of scalding have been reported).
In the plumbing world, hot water is considered anything 120° F (49° C) and above which is why temperature limiting devices are usually set to 110-120 F (source). Since electric bidets put out water between 90 and 100 °F (32 to 37 °C), the water is warm and comfortable but not irritating to the skin.
There are several benefits to warm water electric bidets, in general.
Pros:
- Warm water guarantee. All models provide warm water.
- Compatible with more bathrooms. No special bathroom setup is needed (warm water non-electric bidets require certain dimensions and configurations).
- Apartment-friendly. No permanent alterations to the bathroom are needed. Electric seats are great for renters because they don’t require changing the bathroom in any way (drilling hose, etc.). Some warm water non-electric bidets do.
- The water is clean and filtered. Bidet water is usually sanitary, depending on the type of bidet and where you live. Electric seats come standard with a water filter or are equipped for easy water filter installation. With non-electric bidets, you have to get the right parts separately.
- Way more features overall compared to non-electric bidets. Even some entry-level electric bidets have warm air dryers, extra spray modes, and precise digital wand aiming.
Cons:
- Limitless warm water requires luxury bidets that cost a lot more. However, most find one minute of spraying to be plenty and even excessive. It’s more than you wanted to know, but I’m usually done in about half a minute.
- Higher energy costs on seats w/tank-type water heating technology. Tank-type water heaters are found in entry-level electric bidets. They keep the water in the reservoir warm 24/7 so the bidet can be used at a moment’s notice. This comes with energy costs. It doesn’t cancel out the savings you’ll experience. You can still save thousands over a lifetime.
- Handheld sprayers not available. Some prefer the feel of a handheld sprayer and electric bidets only come in seat-form.
Entry-Level Seats (1 Minute of Warm Water)
I recommend these for someone starting out on their bidet journey. You get most of the benefits offered by electrical bidets at an affordable price. That way you keep the investment low if you’re a bit skeptical of bidets to begin with.
Entry-level electric bidet seats have tank-type water heaters that provide a minute or so of warm to lukewarm water.
These bidets are found at the bottom of the price range, around $200 to $350. (Keep in mind that bidet seats range anywhere from $200 to over $1,200). If you forego the dryer, you can sometimes get one for about $180. Also, if you have a membership to Sam’s or Costco, you can get them for even less.
As you’d imagine, the wide price range of electric bidets has to do with the features on offer by different models which can be anything from cleansing only to warm air dryers, self-sanitizing nozzles, self-cleaning bowls, and different spray modes (female hygiene, vortex stream for constipation, etc.).
If warm water is the main feature that you’re looking for, then you’re in luck. As far as I know, every electric bidet in existence provides warm water to some extent.
Tank-type water heaters heat water in a small reservoir. The limited size of the tank along with the typical pressure range provides a stream of heated water that lasts about 30 seconds.
As the water stream cools down, it continues to flow for another 30 seconds before it’s noticeably cool. Hence, you get about a minute of warm to lukewarm water.
At least, this is how it works on most models.
Mid-Range Bidet Seats (Extended Warm Water)
Mid-range seats often have hybrid water heaters that usually provide a longer flow of warm water compared to the tank-type water heaters just discussed.
Hybrid heaters use a combination of tank-type and instantaneous-type water heating technology to provide warm water for longer.
They’re advertised as providing endless warm water but most user reports indicate that they’re the heated water supply is far from limitless. They usually provide warm water for about twice as long as the tank-type water heaters.
The extra features that mid-range seats offer compared to entry-level seats aren’t limited to hybrid water heaters. They come with warm air dryers and extra cleaning modes (e.g., feminine wash and child mode), oscillating nozzles, wide and narrow spray options, etc.
You can usually find these starting at about $350.
Advanced Seats (Limitless Warm Water)
If you’re interested, here’s an article on the best bidets with tankless water heaters.
Advanced bidet seats have instantaneous water heaters. Because they heat water on demand, they don’t rely on a limited reservoir of pre-heated water.
You’ll usually get a second or two of colder water at first because the water already present in the nozzle doesn’t have a chance to warm up.
After about two seconds, you get an endless flow of warm water.
These start at about $500 to $700 and go up from there. I’ve seen them as high as $1,200.
Being advanced, luxury bidets come with other features not typically found in entry- and mid-level electric seats.
For example, the Brondell Swash has self-sanitizing nozzles that rinse themselves with each use with a silver-containing antimicrobial solution.
Bidet nozzles don’t typically get poop on them. But it’s nice to have self-sanitizing nozzles for when it happens. All bidet seats and even attachments are self-cleaning but it’s mostly the luxury bidets that are self-sanitizing. TOTO is an exception.
One feature inherent to bidets with instantaneous water heaters is that the seat ends up being more comfortable and aesthetic. Not having to house a bulky water tank inside the seat (like entry-level bidets), you get a lower-profile seat with a continuous contour.
Bidets with tank-type water heaters are bulky in the back and slope from back to front. The large slope stands out a little more (though they’re still stylish) and some users feel that it forces them to the front of the seat which some find uncomfortable.
Non-Electric Bidets with Warm Water
These are fewer and further between, but most major bidet manufacturers make a non-electric model or two with warm water capabilities.
As you’ll see, there are some major benefits to these—they offer endless warm water at a quarter of the cost of a luxury bidet. But you have to have the right kind of bathroom.
You source warm water from underneath the bathroom sink by running a supply hose from the hot water lavatory shutoff valve to the warm water inlet on the bidet attachment or the mixer valve on the sprayer.
Bidet attachments have a built-in valve that mixes the hot and cold water to achieve the right temp.
Handheld sprayers typically use a mixing valve to get warm water. The sprayer hose goes in one port while the water supply hoses go in the other two (one coming from the toilet supply and the other coming from the sink’s hot water supply.
Here’s what an attachment would look like:
As always, there are pros and cons.
Pros:
- Warmer temperature. Some folks may want a water temp verging on hot. Electric bidets tend not to heat water past 105°F which has benefits and drawbacks. The benefit is that you’re less likely to get scalded (although bursts of extra hot water have been reported on some electric models). With non-electric bidets, you’re sourcing warm water from the home’s hot water lines which means the water can be as warm as other water appliances in the house, like bathroom sink and bathtub.
- Endless warm water. If your bathroom and toilet can accommodate a warm water non-electric bidet, then you can enjoy the benefits of endless warm water cleansing without having to shell out money for a luxury electric bidet.
- Lower price.
- Compatible with handheld bidets. For those who like handheld bidets, sprayers can be outfitted with a mixer valve that allows for full temperature control.
Cons:
- Non-apartment/rental property-friendly. This isn’t always the case, but warm water handheld bidets are less apartment-friendly overall compared to other types of bidets. If you have a vanity, you’ll have to drill holes in any cabinetry around the sink to get to the hot water valve. Some models are installed directly into the home’s plumbing which involves making a sizeable hole in the wall.
- Specific bathroom setup. Even if you own the property and can make changes, some bathrooms aren’t suited to these bidets. For example, if the toilet and sink are on opposite walls, the hose would remain draped across the floor. If the sink and toilet are too far apart, the hose won’t reach.
- Cleaning sessions start with cold water. It was mentioned that the endless warm water heaters on luxury bidets provide about a two-second burst of cold water at the beginning of each cleansing session and then proceed to spray warm water for as long as the user wants. With non-electric models, the initial cold water lasts longer. The warm water is sourced from under the sink, so it has to heat up just like the water coming out of the bathroom faucet.
Is Bidet Water Heated? Conclusion
So, there you have it.
Bidet water can be heated if you get the right kind. Electric bidet seats heat water up to ~104°F (40°C). When extra parts are used (e.g., an extra hose and mixing valve), held sprayers, non-electric seats, and attachments can provide water as warm as what comes out of the sink and shower.
Warm water is a standard feature on electric bidets and even the most primitive entry-level electric seats have a water heater. For a luxury model that provides endless warm water, you’ll have to pay more.
Dual temp non-electric bidets come with extra parts to source warm warm water from the sink. They might be a good option if your bathroom and living situation will allow for it.
Keep in mind that you don’t need a bidet that sprays warm water to get a clean that’s 10 x more hygienic than what you get with toilet paper.
Warm water is a bit more effective in cleaning as it better removes oils from the skin. But heated water is more about comfort than anything else.
If you are open to an electric bidet, most offer much more than warm water. With a good dryer, you can eliminate toilet paper use altogether which will save thousands of dollars over a lifetime, not to mention the ecological impact.
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading.