We installed new toilet and seat made by Toto when we replaced one bathroom with a handicap version about 5 years ago. The new seat has a bidet and heated water tank built into it as well as the heated seat. I got funny looks when I told the electrician that I wanted a power outlet behind the toilet for it, but after a short discussion he did it for me. Even the plumber had never seen one of these seats. A wireless remote magnetically attached to the sink cabinet lets you control the temperatures and cycle times, and for the bidet you have to activate it via the remote. The toilet sees you coming and opens the lid before you get there, but if a male, you have to push a button on the top end of the remote for it to lift the seat. A minute or two after you leave, the toilet seat and lid will automatically close. The toilet itself is very efficient, using about 0.85 gallons of water per flush.
I doubt that I'll go for the full installation if I upgrade another of our bathrooms, but do very much like the water efficient design of the Toto toilet. They are expensive though, at about $500 for just the toilet. Another $500 for the automatic heated seat with bidet. There are unheated versions of these seats, so during the bathroom construction and before the toilet was chosen, I had the plumber add both a cold and hot water outlet for the toilet. Again some head shaking by the plumber, but he did it. Then the heated seat with bidet was chosen, so this hot water tap hasn't been used. The water heater for the house is 70 ft away, so getting hot water here quickly would not likely happen quick enough to be of any comfort this way anyway, but it's there, should any future need should require it.
Two months ago a powered toilet seat lift system has been added. It raises the user up to near standing position. It has a wired remote with up and down controls. This all works much like a handicap recliner. It's a bit cumbersome in design and wider than the toilet because it's frame sits on the floor off to both sides of the toilet. The toilet seat is mounted to a steel plate that lifts using electric cylinders that are operated via the remote. So, yet another need for an electric power outlet below and off to the left side of the toilet. Now I'm glad that they installed a duplex outlet during the bathroom construction.
Charley
