Comments on: Japanese toilets & energy consumption http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/ Japan News Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:15:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Nana korobi ya oki : Das pazifische Jahrhundert http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-216394 Nana korobi ya oki : Das pazifische Jahrhundert Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:53:08 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-216394 [...] auf die High-Tech-Toiletten in japanischen Haushalten, die enorm viel Strom verbrauchten - siehe Japanese toilets & energy consumption. Die Japaner seien also nicht besser als die Amerikaner, soll das [...] [...] auf die High-Tech-Toiletten in japanischen Haushalten, die enorm viel Strom verbrauchten – siehe Japanese toilets & energy consumption. Die Japaner seien also nicht besser als die Amerikaner, soll das [...]

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]]> By: Tomas http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-192997 Tomas Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:12:49 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-192997 heated seats? probably not necessary (but my wife, who is Japanese tells me that many old folks, going to the toilet in unheated rooms, suffer heart attacks from the shock of a cold toilet seat. the anal "douche" though, is a blessing. Jack Kerouac in "Big Sur" pinpointed a possible source of (North)American neuroses: that so many people thinking they were so clean, were going around with dirty assholes because they'd only wiped them with paper. very inefficient. subconsciously they knew they knew they were "soiled." on a recent trip to Japan I was gratified to take advantage of an intelligent means of personal hygiene. no need then to hang my ass over the edge of the bath tub to wash with water and bring the comforting sensation of having a clean asshole. heated seats? probably not necessary (but my wife, who is Japanese tells me that many old folks, going to the toilet in unheated rooms, suffer heart attacks from the shock of a cold toilet seat.

the anal “douche” though, is a blessing. Jack Kerouac in “Big Sur” pinpointed a possible source of (North)American neuroses: that so many people thinking they were so clean, were going around with dirty assholes because they’d only wiped them with paper. very inefficient. subconsciously they knew they knew they were “soiled.”

on a recent trip to Japan I was gratified to take advantage of an intelligent means of personal hygiene. no need then to hang my ass over the edge of the bath tub to wash with water and bring the comforting sensation of having a clean asshole.

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]]> By: fh http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-189542 fh Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:30:54 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-189542 Average power consumption in Japan per-capita is 8000kWh annually. At 4% of total, the toilet seat comes in as a 35W (per hour) appliance -- I'm sure you can think of many electronics that consume far more than 35Wh. By comparison, Americans consume on average 13,000kWh a year, so the point is that they aren't exactly in a position to criticize Japan for using these toilet seats. Looking at it by cost, $2.50/mo is $30 annually, or the cost of dining out, twice (in a year). Average power consumption in Japan per-capita is 8000kWh annually. At 4% of total, the toilet seat comes in as a 35W (per hour) appliance — I’m sure you can think of many electronics that consume far more than 35Wh. By comparison, Americans consume on average 13,000kWh a year, so the point is that they aren’t exactly in a position to criticize Japan for using these toilet seats.

Looking at it by cost, $2.50/mo is $30 annually, or the cost of dining out, twice (in a year).

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]]> By: one http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-189537 one Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:04:12 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-189537 I was thinking the same thing. you forgot one thing tho...... The "smaller" washing machines. Before I moved to japan my family would wash about three loads of laundry but here in japan we have to do about seven or eight loads a week. I want you people who claim "japan is more energy efficient" to explain to me how running the small machine eight times uses less energy and water than running the large ones three times. Good luck. I was thinking the same thing.

you forgot one thing tho…… The “smaller” washing machines. Before I moved to japan my family would wash about three loads of laundry but here in japan we have to do about seven or eight loads a week. I want you people who claim “japan is more energy efficient” to explain to me how running the small machine eight times uses less energy and water than running the large ones three times. Good luck.

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]]> By: kabocha5000 http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-189286 kabocha5000 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:03:14 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-189286 These microbes you speak of are probably pretty hardy little creatures so I doubt that the "coldness", actually probably just room temperature, would do much in the way of killing them, maybe slow their reproduction. But in this case, a warmed seat might be a plus since it promotes evaporation; the seat dries faster and removes the available water for any little microbes to use. Of course, you could just clean your toilet seat from time to time... These microbes you speak of are probably pretty hardy little creatures so I doubt that the “coldness”, actually probably just room temperature, would do much in the way of killing them, maybe slow their reproduction. But in this case, a warmed seat might be a plus since it promotes evaporation; the seat dries faster and removes the available water for any little microbes to use. Of course, you could just clean your toilet seat from time to time…

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]]> By: Level3 http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-189276 Level3 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:38:20 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-189276 Uh, last time I checked, microbes LIKE body temperature warmth. A non-heated seat is too "cold" for many things to live very long. It's just a senseless waste of electricity, and a silly manufactured demand for a product nobody needs, which is something Japan is especially good at doing. Uh, last time I checked, microbes LIKE body temperature warmth. A non-heated seat is too “cold” for many things to live very long.

It’s just a senseless waste of electricity, and a silly manufactured demand for a product nobody needs, which is something Japan is especially good at doing.

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]]> By: Level3 http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-189273 Level3 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:19:29 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-189273 4% is a lot! It ends up being half a monthly electric bill once per year. Would you be able to live without a heated toilet seat to be able to cut your electric bill in half one month each year? And the worst part is, many places leave these damn heated seats ON in the middle of summer! And probably leave them on all night after the shops close. I'm on a personal campaign, and unplug any heated toilet seat in a public toilet I come across. [Besides, it means less of my ass sweat on a toilet YOU might use next, how can you object to that?] Besides, I just hate the feeling of the heated seat. "Ew, someone just got off" is what goes through the unaccustomed-to-wasteful-heated-toilet-seat mind. Want to keep the seat feeling nice at home? just buy a friggin cushion/pad toilet seat cover. If Japan were serious about saving electricity, banning these toilets would be a good step. Never happen, though. 4% is a lot!

It ends up being half a monthly electric bill once per year. Would you be able to live without a heated toilet seat to be able to cut your electric bill in half one month each year?

And the worst part is, many places leave these damn heated seats ON in the middle of summer! And probably leave them on all night after the shops close.

I’m on a personal campaign, and unplug any heated toilet seat in a public toilet I come across. [Besides, it means less of my ass sweat on a toilet YOU might use next, how can you object to that?]

Besides, I just hate the feeling of the heated seat. “Ew, someone just got off” is what goes through the unaccustomed-to-wasteful-heated-toilet-seat mind.

Want to keep the seat feeling nice at home? just buy a friggin cushion/pad toilet seat cover.

If Japan were serious about saving electricity, banning these toilets would be a good step. Never happen, though.

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]]> By: Level3 http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-189269 Level3 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:09:06 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-189269 Japanese shared bath is NOT more efficient, because everyone has to wash themselves before they get in the bath, and these days that means many people take a shower THEN take a bath. Very wasteful, especially for people living alone or couples. Add in that a full bath uses much more water than a shower for one person. The only way Japanese people use less hot water in the bath is if there's at least 4 people AND they wash themselves with the plastic bucket, taking water from the bath to do it. And stop criticizing America for having to use oil for cars and jets. Trains are impractical..impossible, in America. America is BIG. Going across country by train in the USA takes at least 4 DAYS! Most of the USA is less populated than Japanese "inaka". Can you survive, go to work, go shopping in Japan's inaka without a car? But yes, Japanese cars are more efficient. They also fold up like accordions when there's an accident and everyone in the car dies. I'm pretty sure the "fact" that Japan recycles more than the US is not true. And Japanese people eat and waste a lot less food? Hahahaha. Maybe it's because it takes so long to unwrap everything from all the packaging. Japan is NOT #1 in environmental policy and recycling. Start researching instead of just making shit up. Japanese shared bath is NOT more efficient, because everyone has to wash themselves before they get in the bath, and these days that means many people take a shower THEN take a bath. Very wasteful, especially for people living alone or couples.
Add in that a full bath uses much more water than a shower for one person.

The only way Japanese people use less hot water in the bath is if there’s at least 4 people AND they wash themselves with the plastic bucket, taking water from the bath to do it.

And stop criticizing America for having to use oil for cars and jets. Trains are impractical..impossible, in America. America is BIG. Going across country by train in the USA takes at least 4 DAYS! Most of the USA is less populated than Japanese “inaka”. Can you survive, go to work, go shopping in Japan’s inaka without a car?

But yes, Japanese cars are more efficient. They also fold up like accordions when there’s an accident and everyone in the car dies.

I’m pretty sure the “fact” that Japan recycles more than the US is not true. And Japanese people eat and waste a lot less food? Hahahaha. Maybe it’s because it takes so long to unwrap everything from all the packaging.

Japan is NOT #1 in environmental policy and recycling. Start researching instead of just making shit up.

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]]> By: kabocha5000 http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-189226 kabocha5000 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:57:34 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-189226 Just a moment.. a remote control for the flush? Why? You're already standing at the toilet when you need to flush anyway. Or is it for people who forget to flush and then suddenly remember when they're in another room? Separate from that, not only are most Japanese dishwashers far smaller than their American counterparts, very very few households around here have one. Like us. I am CONSTANTLY doing the dishes. Just a moment.. a remote control for the flush? Why? You’re already standing at the toilet when you need to flush anyway. Or is it for people who forget to flush and then suddenly remember when they’re in another room?

Separate from that, not only are most Japanese dishwashers far smaller than their American counterparts, very very few households around here have one. Like us. I am CONSTANTLY doing the dishes.

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]]> By: Cumin http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-189215 Cumin Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:23:09 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-189215 Err, it IS written in the article that these toiletsare of American origin... Err, it IS written in the article that these toiletsare of American origin…

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]]> By: m http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-189180 m Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:49:04 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-189180 Crazy! There are tonnes of things that use more energy in vain. At least this keeps your bum, your bits, others' bums, others' bits and the toilet clean! Which then leads to less diseases etc etc which then leads to lower consumption of energy in the future. Then again, you could also spend a crapload (hehe) of money on a great toilet just for the shits (again) and giggles like this one here: http://theworldofm.wordpress.com/2008/02/18/a-very-costly-doo-doo/ Crazy! There are tonnes of things that use more energy in vain. At least this keeps your bum, your bits, others’ bums, others’ bits and the toilet clean! Which then leads to less diseases etc etc which then leads to lower consumption of energy in the future. Then again, you could also spend a crapload (hehe) of money on a great toilet just for the shits (again) and giggles like this one here:
http://theworldofm.wordpress.com/2008/02/18/a-very-costly-doo-doo/

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]]> By: Ken Y-N http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-188916 Ken Y-N Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:15:06 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-188916 Many home loos are half flush - my remote control for the flush has big and small buttons, and most manual flushes on home toilets go back for small, forward for big, or is it vice versa? Many home loos are half flush – my remote control for the flush has big and small buttons, and most manual flushes on home toilets go back for small, forward for big, or is it vice versa?

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]]> By: TofuUnion http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-188865 TofuUnion Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:37:01 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-188865 The shower toilet was initially invented in the USA for medical use. Then Toto has developed it for commercial use. As for energy consumption of the electricity toilets, it's just about 4 percent of household and not likely worth to mention about the waste of energy. I guess Blaine Harden has never used high tech toilets and doesn't understand how comfortable it is. The shower toilet was initially invented in the USA for medical use. Then Toto has developed it for commercial use.

As for energy consumption of the electricity toilets, it’s just about 4 percent of household and not likely worth to mention about the waste of energy. I guess Blaine Harden has never used high tech toilets and doesn’t understand how comfortable it is.

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]]> By: phauna http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-188856 phauna Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:06:22 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-188856 They said Japan is energy efficient, what more do you want? No one needs a heated toilet seat. I don't see many half flush Japanese toilets either. They said Japan is energy efficient, what more do you want? No one needs a heated toilet seat. I don’t see many half flush Japanese toilets either.

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]]> By: zichi http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-188825 zichi Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:49:38 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-188825 In my last comment I forgot to mention the Washington Post missed out Dr NakaMats gold toilet and gold bathroom? In my last comment I forgot to mention the Washington Post missed out Dr NakaMats gold toilet and gold bathroom?

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]]> By: zichi http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-188814 zichi Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:35:07 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-188814 I agree and you can't just isolate one aspect and then give the impression that the Japanese are energy wasters. First the toilet, when I lived in the Japan Alps 1994-02 we didn't even have a flushing toilet which is still the case for many countryside places. I don't know anyone who uses a dish dryer or a dryer for clothes. Japanese washing machines are much smaller than American ones. The Japanese shared bath uses less water, power and gas. The Japanese room is usually lit with one low energy ceiling light. Japanese drive smaller cars and drive them less. American oil consumption is 22 million barrels of oil every day, which is one quarter of world daily production, 45% is used by cars. This is certainly one of the aspects of the current oil crisis. Less people use ac. we don't use it but we do use fans to keep dry. More waste is recycled in Japan than the States. Japanese eat and waste a lot less food. I agree and you can’t just isolate one aspect and then give the impression that the Japanese are energy wasters. First the toilet, when I lived in the Japan Alps 1994-02 we didn’t even have a flushing toilet which is still the case for many countryside places.
I don’t know anyone who uses a dish dryer or a dryer for clothes. Japanese washing machines are much smaller than American ones.
The Japanese shared bath uses less water, power and gas.
The Japanese room is usually lit with one low energy ceiling light.
Japanese drive smaller cars and drive them less. American oil consumption is 22 million barrels of oil every day, which is one quarter of world daily production, 45% is used by cars. This is certainly one of the aspects of the current oil crisis.
Less people use ac. we don’t use it but we do use fans to keep dry.
More waste is recycled in Japan than the States.
Japanese eat and waste a lot less food.

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]]> By: Ken Y-N http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-188804 Ken Y-N Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:10:04 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-188804 Learning mode for lavvies - never heard of it! As for hot water, don't most of them produce instant hot water? We turn off the lavvie when we go out and at night, and I've never heard the wife complaining that the water's cold when she goes, but not that I've asked her... And 40 man for a warmed seat? Are they meaning getting the full monty including porcelain, fitting, iPod interface, etc? Just the seat is 50,000 yen or less from Yodobashi. Obligatory link: http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/05/30/japanese-air-conditioner-usage/ Dishwasher penetration is 24.2%. The using more power than dishwasher or driers actually means overall consumption over all households, reflecting the lower degree of penetration and usage of these. Also, it quotes $5 or $2.50 per month electricity but doesn't mention that electricity in Japan is considerably more expensive (three or four times?) per kWh. I'm sure Hummers add more than $5 per month to your energy bills! Learning mode for lavvies – never heard of it! As for hot water, don’t most of them produce instant hot water? We turn off the lavvie when we go out and at night, and I’ve never heard the wife complaining that the water’s cold when she goes, but not that I’ve asked her…

And 40 man for a warmed seat? Are they meaning getting the full monty including porcelain, fitting, iPod interface, etc? Just the seat is 50,000 yen or less from Yodobashi.

Obligatory link:
http://whatjapanthinks.com/2007/05/30/japanese-air-conditioner-usage/

Dishwasher penetration is 24.2%. The using more power than dishwasher or driers actually means overall consumption over all households, reflecting the lower degree of penetration and usage of these.

Also, it quotes $5 or $2.50 per month electricity but doesn’t mention that electricity in Japan is considerably more expensive (three or four times?) per kWh. I’m sure Hummers add more than $5 per month to your energy bills!

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]]> By: Victoria http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-188787 Victoria Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:18:50 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-188787 Disappointing cultural bias from the Washington Post too; somehow its considered more acceptable to waste vast amounts of energy on devices you would commonly find in the west, yet incomprehensible to use less energy than any of us do on a device only found in Japan. There's such a "look at those crazy Japanese, they're at it again..." tone to it. I'd imagine traditional Japanese toilets use a lot less water, and certianly a lot less porcelein than wester ones, but that Washington Post journalist would undoubtedly balk at the prospect of having one installed in his flat. Disappointing cultural bias from the Washington Post too; somehow its considered more acceptable to waste vast amounts of energy on devices you would commonly find in the west, yet incomprehensible to use less energy than any of us do on a device only found in Japan. There’s such a “look at those crazy Japanese, they’re at it again…” tone to it.

I’d imagine traditional Japanese toilets use a lot less water, and certianly a lot less porcelein than wester ones, but that Washington Post journalist would undoubtedly balk at the prospect of having one installed in his flat.

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]]> By: Kevin http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/06/25/japanese-toilets-energy-consumption/comment-page-1/#comment-188779 Kevin Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:41:39 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=4981#comment-188779 At least we know where the WaiWai journalist is now getting work. At least we know where the WaiWai journalist is now getting work.

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