Comments on: Won’t That Stink? — Living in a Green Home with a Composting Toilet

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 02:31:39 +0000

Kris: The
Kris: The Phoenix had only a 5 watt fan, which uses a pretty small amount of energy. We ran it off of a couple of golf cart batteries on a trickle charger. That way, the fan would always run even if the power went off.

By: Kris

Kris — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 02:02:11 +0000

my husband and I are working
my husband and I are working towards building a energy efficient home with solar panels and such...that said we re curious as to how much energy your phoenix compost toilet system used

By: William V. Sobers

William V. Sobers — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:34:21 +0000

I think it's time we consider
I think it's time we consider a composting toilet too, great post you have here!

By: John Poole

John Poole — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:56:49 +0000

Hi Allison: Nice concept, but
Hi Allison: Nice concept, but what does one usually do with all that "old stuff" when it comes time to finally remove it?

The humanure concept comes not without some controversy. While in the old days, folks often relied on "privy soil" as a form of gardening manure, it's often advised against today. The reason why highly decomposed cow manure (for example) is beneficial for gardening is because it contains much vegetable matter. But human and domestic pet manure is usually going to contain a lot of animal fat, something not recommended for composting, generally.

Anyway, I certainly agree with the concept of composting waste, rather than sending it down the sewer line or into a septic system. But it's not clear to me what one otherwise does to regularly dispose of the composted waste, other than bury it, burn it, or pack it up with the trash.

By: W. Blake Talbott

W. Blake Talbott — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:32:45 +0000

Good feedback from someone
Good feedback from someone who has actually lived with it. I shared with my wonderful wife and it was not positive.

One should seriously consider resale value before installing one of these. Especially, in this type of market.

By: tinagleisner

tinagleisner — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:15:31 +0000

What a fun way to end this
What a fun way to end this informative article which I'm passing along to a friend who is planning to install one

By: mike eliason

mike eliason — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:34:34 +0000

what about composting toilets
what about composting toilets in tight homes w/ hrv? i've heard of a few projects where people route the exhaust fan from the composter through hrv, but that seems a little risky to me.

By: Bill Smith

Bill Smith — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:39:49 +0000

Allison,

Allison,

Great topic, water use and waste disposal are issues that we need to get a better handle on.

In the New England area folks might want to check out this building http://www.forestsociety.org/ourproperties/ac-conservation-center.asp. I had the privilege of working on the construction project and it is truly a marvelous building. It also has a gray water system that uses a plant bed to treat the water and improve IAQ.

There are two composting systems, a Phoenix with the direct drop fixtures and a Clivus with foam flush toilets on the 2nd floor.

The building went into service in 2001 and the issues with the systems have been minor at worst.

They love to have people tour the building, check with the property manager if you want a in depth tour.

By: Nora DePalma

Nora DePalma — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:05:13 +0000
Another great post, Allison.
Another great post, Allison. I had been "negative" on composting toilets after seeing (smelling?) a bad installation. But never really considered that it was the installation, not the technology.