Q: Ed, Reading your past columns has me interested in the new electronic plumbing fixtures. But, when I looked into the new "smart" toilets with bidet features, I had sticker shock. What makes them such a high end item? -- Mary Ann, Washington state
A: Cutting edge technology is expensive when first introduced to the market and that includes plumbing fixtures.
I remember as a child seeing my first brick-sized "pocket" calculator and it was hundreds of dollars. While a smart toilet is not the same as a cell phone with a calculator app, it does incorporate the latest in high-tech electronics.
Intelligent toilet/bidet options can include: LED night lighting, motion activated seat open and close, heated seat, UV light sanitizing of bidet wand and even a touch screen remote control. Performance wise, pump-assisted dual-flushing can give a smart toilet a strong and efficient flush. Also, many smart toilets are made to look like a work of modern art. So, when you add up one beautiful design with one intelligent toilet, it's easy to see how one plus one can equal a very expensive number two!