Bidets are often touted as environmentally friendly, but manufacturers don't always facilitate comparison of eco benefits between bidets. Unlike low-flow showerheads, a bidet attachment may not list its flow rate or describe how it manages to accomplish the same results with less water than other bidets do. It may not even mention whether it contains recycled content.

However, if you look closely, you can still find a few ways to ensure that your bidet installation and use is as eco-friendly as it can be. Here are some tips to help you accomplish this goal.

A bidet toilet seat is a space-efficient option for the end user since it doesn't take up extra room in your bathroom like a traditional bidet does. But in addition, the production of a bidet toilet seat may be less draining on the environment because it requires less material to manufacture, which makes it less resource-heavy to produce than a typical bidet.

A bidet toilet seat is also lighter and less bulky than a traditional bidet, saving energy on transportation. Even lighter and less bulky is a bidet attachment, an option that doesn't include a toilet seat. These attachments install between the toilet bowl and the current toilet seat.

A no-electricity bidet model saves energy but means you'll still need a couple of squares of toilet tissue. An electrical model can cost you between $21.90 and $65.70 per year in electricity, while eliminating all toilet paper use with the air dry function. A non-electrical option saves that electricity, but only reduces toilet tissue use rather than eliminating it.

If you have an amazingly clean source of energy (such as solar panels), the electrical option may be the greenest alternative for you. But if, like many Americans, you rely on electricity from the power grid (over 60 percent of electricity produced in America is from natural gas or coal) you may want to avoid the electricity use.

In this case, simply pair a non-electrical bidet option with the most eco-friendly toilet tissue you can find.

If you do opt for an electrical bidet model, keep in mind that some electrical ones have multiple modes. If you choose a model that has an energy saving mode, you can still use less energy than average, even if you use slightly more than with a non-electrical model.

If the unit has some electrical options you don't need (such as a heated seat), simply avoid those functions to save even more energy.

Some modern water-saving toilets come with bidet functions pre-installed. If your toilet is old or malfunctioning, you may want to simply replace it with one of these bidet-integrated models.

A water-saving toilet can save hundreds of gallons of water each week. According to the Washington Post, if you don't currently have a low-flow toilet, this simple upgrade may save you 27,000 gallons of water each year, providing significant and long-term savings in terms of not only the environment but your water bills as well.

These tips will help you think through your bidet choices carefully before coming to a decision. No matter what type of bidet you decide on, your local plumbing professionals at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain Service can help you with installation, maintenance, and any repairs for both these and any other plumbing fixtures. Get in touch today to learn more.