Maintenance & Operation

Do touchless toilets actually reduce maintenance costs?

Publication date: 5 August 2026

A touchless toilet may cost less to operate, but the sensor itself doesn’t generate savings. The result depends on whether the device limits water flow, dispenses a consistent amount of material, and operates without unnecessary activations. In a poorly chosen system, the higher purchase price simply translates to additional batteries, replacement parts, and service calls. So let’s see where touchless technology really pays off.

What exactly does a touchless toilet mean?

This is a set of solutions designed to minimize hand contact with equipment. Hand wash stations, soap dispensers, towel dispensers, hand dryers, flush valves, trash cans, and doors can all operate automatically. Each component has different operating costs.

It is important to distinguish between touchless operation and automation. A user can pull out a protruding strip of paper towel without touching the housing, even though the dispenser has no electronics. A sensor-activated valve is automatic, but it won’t save water if it activates too often. It is consumption control—not the sensor itself—that reduces costs.

What factors make up the cost of maintaining a public restroom?

The purchase price of the equipment is just the beginning. A thorough comparison should include:

water consumption and the cost of wastewater disposal,
soap, towels, paper, and trash bags,
electricity and batteries,
the time required to refill cartridges, empty trash cans, and clean up,
inspections, replacement parts, and repairs,
losses resulting from a malfunction, an empty dispenser, or a workstation that is turned off,
purchase, installation, and expected service life of the device.

In high-traffic facilities, the biggest expense is often not water, but disposable supplies and labor. That’s why automating everything one by one is rarely the best strategy. First, you need to identify the biggest source of cost.

Touchless faucets: They save time, not water—by definition

The sensor activates the water supply when a hand approaches and closes the valve when the user walks away. This prevents the faucet from being left running and limits the flow while lathering. However, the result is still determined by three parameters: the number of liters per minute, the actual operating time, and the number of unnecessary activations.

This example illustrates the scale. A faucet with a flow rate of 5 l/min, running for 15 seconds, uses 1.25 l per wash. If a properly adjusted sensor reduces the flow time to 8 seconds, consumption drops to about 0.67 liters. With 80,000 uses, the difference amounts to about 46 cubic meters per year. We calculate the monetary savings by multiplying this by the local combined water and sewer rate. If the water is heated, there is also a reduction in energy costs.

You shouldn’t attribute the entire effect to the sensor. A aerator, flow restrictor, or timer faucet can have a similar effect. Incorrectly set detection range, reflections off the sink, a dirty lens, or a faulty solenoid valve can cause false activations.

It’s worth noting a finding that dampens marketing enthusiasm. A two-year study of an office building described by the Alliance for Water Efficiency showed that after replacing manual flush valves with sensor-activated models, water consumption by toilets increased by 54%. Among other things, this was due to additional flushes. Since this study involved older-generation devices, it does not determine the performance of a modern system. However, it does prove that what matters is the number of proper flush cycles, not merely the presence of a sensor.

Automatic soap dispenser: low cost per unit, large scale

The most important economic advantage of an automatic dispenser is that it dispenses a consistent amount. With a manual model, users press the pump with varying amounts of force and often multiple times. A dispenser set to the correct dosage reduces consumption variability and makes it easier to forecast inventory levels.

Let’s assume that a manual dispenser dispenses an average of 1.2 ml, while an automatic one dispenses 0.8 ml. With 80,000 dispenses, the difference amounts to 32 liters of soap per year. Multiplying this by the actual cost per liter gives us the potential savings. This is a sample calculation, not a universal standard. Before making a purchase, it’s a good idea to spend a week measuring the number of refills, the tank capacity, and the dispense volume of your current dispenser.

The choice of refill affects both cost and hygiene. A system refilled from a canister may offer a lower price per liter, but requires washing the container and not topping off the product to the level of the remaining contents. In a study published in *Applied and Environmental Microbiology*, contaminated soap from open, refillable dispensers increased the number of Gram-negative bacteria on hands, while soap from sealed cartridges reduced it. Cartridges may be more expensive, but they simplify replacement and reduce the risk of contamination. Therefore, it is not enough to simply compare the price per liter.

Towel dispenser: savings depend on the size of the portion dispensed

With paper towel dispensers, the key factor is the number of sheets or the length of the section used to dry hands. An automatic roll dispenser can dispense a measured portion and pause briefly before dispensing the next one. This helps prevent the instinctive tendency to take large amounts of paper. For example, the Faneco Autocut dispenser allows you to adjust the length of the strip from 20 to 40 cm, so the setting can be tailored to the absorbency of the material and the facility’s needs.

However, a portion that is too short does not result in savings if each user takes two strips. The test should include at least two settings and the entire roll replenishment cycle. The best indicator is the number of pairs of hands effectively dried from a single refill, rather than the length of a single strip.

Electronics aren’t always necessary. A well-functioning single-sheet dispenser that dispenses one towel at a time can also help control usage. In a small restroom, it may sometimes prove to be less expensive over its entire lifespan than a sensor-activated model.

Automatic dryer: a paper shortage changes the cost structure

A touchless hand dryer eliminates the need to purchase towels, arrange for deliveries, store them, restock dispensers, and reduces waste. In exchange, there are costs associated with electricity, cleaning, filters, and repairs.

You can calculate the energy consumption per drying cycle without relying on the promises in the product catalog:

energy per cycle = device power in kW × operating time in seconds ÷ 3,600

A 1.2-kW hair dryer operating for 12 seconds will consume approximately 0.004 kWh per cycle, or about 320 kWh over 80,000 uses. The cost is based on the facility’s energy contract. You must use the actual drying time, not the shortest value advertised. If the user runs the device twice, the result should also be doubled.

A life-cycle assessment published in *Science of the Total Environment* showed that, in the scenario analyzed, the hand dryer had a smaller environmental impact than two paper towels per hand-drying session. However, the authors emphasized the importance of the energy mix, usage intensity, and the assumptions made. The same applies to costs. The higher the traffic volume and the more expensive the waste logistics, the more often the hand dryer comes out on top. With occasional use, it may take a long time to recoup the purchase cost.

In medical facilities, kitchens, food processing plants, and other facilities with specific hygiene procedures, the drying method must be consistent with the requirements of the respective zone. The calculation cannot replace a sanitary assessment.

Does contactless technology reduce cleaning costs?

The absence of buttons or levers means fewer fingerprints, smudges, and surfaces that are touched directly. The fixture may stay clean longer, and employees can wipe it down more quickly. However, this does not mean that the frequency of cleaning the entire restroom can automatically be reduced.

Sinks, countertops, toilet seats, floors, doorknobs, and appliance casings continue to become contaminated. The CDC recommends regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces and, in public restrooms at healthcare facilities, recommends cleaning and disinfecting at least twice a day. In a typical facility, the cleaning schedule is based on traffic volume and risk assessment, but touchless technology does not eliminate the obligation to maintain cleanliness.

From a financial perspective, labor savings can only be factored into the calculation if there is a change in the actual time spent on rounds, the scope of the contract with the cleaning company, or the number of service calls. The mere fact that the equipment gets dirty more slowly does not reduce the invoice amount.

Hygiene is important, but not every benefit can be listed on a spreadsheet

The World Health Organization’s guidelines for hand hygiene in public spaces recommend considering touchless faucets and dispensers, as they can reduce contamination and make use easier. At the same time, the WHO notes that sensor-activated fixtures must be properly flushed, disinfected, and monitored to reduce water stagnation and biofilm formation.

Fewer touchpoints, easier use for children, seniors, and some people with disabilities, and a more positive perception of the restroom by users are all important from a business perspective. They can enhance the facility’s standards, guest satisfaction, and hygiene compliance. However, it is not advisable to state a specific amount of “health-related savings” without data on absences, incidents, and procedures at the facility in question.

Sample Calculation of Return on Investment

The model below illustrates a method, not a guaranteed result. Let’s assume a single heavily used station, 80,000 handwashes per year, and the following data from an audit or pilot measurement:

Item	Proposed change	Annual effect
Water and Wastewater	0.58 liters less per use, at a rate of 15 zł/m³	696 PLN
Soap	0.4 ml less, at a cost of 15 zł/l	480 PLN
Operation and Cleaning	15 hours less, at a cost of 45 zł/h	675 PLN
Batteries and Additional Services	New cost	minus 350 zł
Net savings		1,501 PLN per year

If the additional cost of a touchless kit, including installation, is 2,400 PLN, the simple payback period is approximately 1.6 years. This calculation does not take into account financing, price changes, or breakdowns, and therefore serves as an initial investment filter.

The same set in a restroom used ten times less frequently is unlikely to pay for itself quickly. The result will also be negatively affected by a lack of real reductions in operating time, frequent battery replacements, or a service provider located far from the facility. On the other hand, in a 24-hour facility, managing towel usage can have a greater impact than all other factors combined.

How do you calculate the true cost of ownership?

It is best to compare the options over a five-year period. The total cost of ownership (TCO) includes purchase, installation, utilities, materials, labor, maintenance, and downtime.

We calculate the simple payback period as follows:

subsidy for the contactless system ÷ annual net savings

Enter data from your own facility into the calculations. The number of users can be determined using an entry counter, a building management system, or by monitoring the consumption of soap refills. The flow rate of the faucet is measured using a container and a stopwatch. The soap dosage is determined by weighing or measuring the volume, and towel consumption is determined by the number of refills in a full month. Weekly observations provide a general trend, but in a hotel, school, or shopping center, it is better to also include periods of high and low traffic in the measurements.

When is modernization most cost-effective?

The fastest return on investment can be expected in places with high and predictable foot traffic: shopping malls, office buildings, sports facilities, train stations, schools, manufacturing plants, and large restaurants. Due to the high number of uses, even a few tenths of a milliliter of soap or one fewer towel adds up to a significant annual savings.

In a small office or café, high-quality manual equipment may be the best choice. It’s simpler, doesn’t require a power source, and can have very low maintenance costs. In such cases, it’s best to choose touchless options primarily for hygiene, accessibility, or image—rather than expecting a quick return on investment.

Automation is also less practical in situations where there is no one responsible for maintenance. A dead battery, a dirty sensor, or a misaligned valve can turn cost savings into user complaints and urgent interventions.

How can you implement contactless technology without making costly mistakes?

Start with a consumption audit. Calculate the monthly cost of water, soap, towels, energy, waste disposal, and labor.
Select one pilot area. Modernize a restroom with high foot traffic and compare it to a similar restroom.
Determine the metrics. Track the volume of water, the number of cartridges, the number of service calls, service time, and user complaints.
Check the technical specifications. Important factors include water pressure and quality, the shape of the sink, light reflection, access to a power source, ventilation, and the ability to perform maintenance without dismantling the cabinetry.
Compare the complete system. Add the cost of the power supply or batteries, cartridges, holders, installation, parts, and warranty terms to the price of the device.
Adjust the devices after installation. The sensor range, flow time, soap dosage, and towel length must be adjusted to fit the actual interior.
Evaluate the results after the full cycle. A single month can reveal problems, but seasonality is best assessed using data from several months.

So, is a touchless toilet cheaper?

Yes, especially in high-traffic facilities, if the automated systems actually limit portion sizes, flow time, and the number of operator steps. The most predictable savings come from soap dispensers, controlled towel dispensing, and replacing paper towels with a properly selected hand dryer. Sensor-activated faucets can reduce water consumption, but they require proper flow rates, configuration, and maintenance. Automatic flushing systems must be evaluated with particular care.

At Faneco, when designing projects, we consider not only the price of the equipment, but also traffic volume, the type of facility, available service, and the cost of materials over the coming years. The best touchless restroom isn’t the one with the most sensors. It’s the system in which each automated device solves a specific, quantifiable problem.

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