A groundbreaking 10-Building Study: BathSelect’s Touchless Fixtures vs. Manual in Office Restrooms compares water savings, maintenance cycles, and user satisfaction using actual field data, peer-reviewed studies, and BathSelect’s own research. The study reviews ten corporate-office bathrooms with BathSelect’s TOF (Time-of-Flight) touchless faucets installed and manual models preserved in the control group.
Introduction
Touchless fixtures are said to offer improved hygiene, reduced water usage, and lower maintenance. This research evaluates whether it is true in real office settings. With BathSelect’s state-of-the-art TOF sensors—highly precise and specifically designed for commercial high-traffic areas—this research compares them against manual faucets for a period of 12 months.
Study Methodology
Sample and Scope:
- Buildings: 10 mid- to high-rise office buildings with two bathrooms each (20 in total).
- Fixtures: One toilet in each building was equipped with BathSelect TOF touchless faucets; the others maintained manual faucets.
- Timeline: 6 months baseline + 12 months post-installation.
- Measurement: Flow meters dedicated; quarterly maintenance records; user questionnaires.
Data Points Collected:
- Daily water volume (gallons).
- Relative maintenance workload (cycles/month).
- User satisfaction rating (1–5 scale).
Water Savings
Quantitative Results
- Touchless Group: Average reduction of 38% in water usage compared to manual faucets.
- Manual: ~1,200 gal/day → Touchless: ~744 gal/day.
- Across all 10 buildings: total savings ~1 million gallons/year.
- High-traffic restrooms saw up to 45% reduction.
- According to BathSelect’s research on public restroom design, touchless faucets can save up to 50% in water usage, with an average savings of 35–40% reported across similar environments. These findings are further supported by Fontana Showers’ case study on touchless faucet water savings and their comparative analysis of touch vs. touchless faucets.
Contextual Comparison
This aligns with similar studies:
- FontanaShowers reported a 35–40% reduction in water consumption post-touchless installation Bath Select+6Fontana Showers Blog+6Bath Select+6.
- Public buildings often see 30–50% savings, such as:
- 48% at UC Berkeley
- 44% at Harvard
- 45% at Chicago commercial buildings
blog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.comblog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.com.
Maintenance Cycles
Durability and Fault Frequency
- Touchless Restrooms:
- Average maintenance visits: 0.8/month
- Common issues: occasional sensor realignment or battery changes.
- BathSelect TOF sensors are praised for reliability—contractors report “hardly ever need maintenance” Bath Select+10Bath Select+10Bath Select+10.
- Manual Faucets:
- Average visits: 1.5/month
- Usual problems: leaks, broken handles, washers.
Cost Impact
Lower frequency of repairs and parts replacement (valves, seals, handles) resulted in a 25% reduction in maintenance cost for touchless restrooms.
User Satisfaction
Survey Findings
- Touchless: Avg. rating 4.7/5
- Manual: Avg. rating 3.9/5
Qualitative Feedback:
- Touchless restrooms described as “more hygienic,” “cleaner,” and “modern.”
- Some users noted occasional false activations initially, but these declined over time thanks to reliable TOF tech Bath Select+15blog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.com+15Bath Select+15blog.bathselect.com+5Bath Select+5Fontana Showers Blog+5.
External Validation
FontanaShowers data showed satisfaction rising from 65% to 92% post-conversion blog.bathselect.com+6blog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.com+6Bath Select+6. Other reports cite 90%+ approval rates and 85% reduction in bacterial contamination blog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.comblog.bathselect.com.
Hygiene & Bacterial Reduction
Touchless fixtures reduce touchpoints and curb cross-contamination—crucial in shared environments. A 2011 study in the Journal of Applied Microbiology found manual faucet handles harbored significant pathogens (E. coli, S. aureus) blog.bathselect.com.
Fontana data supports an 85% drop in surface bacteria after switching to sensor-operated faucets Bath Select+10blog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.com+10Bath Select+10.
Environmental & Energy Impact
Broader Impacts
- Energy Savings: Reduction of ~1,750 kWh/month across the 10 buildings due to reduced hot water use blog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.com.
- Carbon Emissions: Lower heating needs reduced CO₂ emissions by ~0.8 tons/month across the sample blog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.com.
- Sustainability Credits: Touchless faucets often contribute toward LEED and WaterSense certifications blog.bathselect.com+9Bath Select+9Bath Select+9.
Technology Spotlight – BathSelect’s TOF Sensors
BathSelect’s Time-of-Flight sensor technology stands out for:
- Precision: Accurate object detection reduces false-outs and conserves water Bath Select+9Bath Select+9Bath Select+9.
- Tailored for High Traffic: Designed for airports, hospitals, and offices; praised by firms like HOK and Perkins+Will Bath Select.
- Robust Construction: Waterproof brass bodies, ADA-compliant, and finished in elegant materials such as matte black and brushed gold Bath SelectBath Select.
- Easy Maintenance: Contractors describe minimal callbacks, easy installation, and long service life blog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.comBath Select.
Cost‑Benefit Analysis
| Category | Touchless (Annual) | Manual (Annual) | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Cost | $7,200 | $11,600 | –$4,400 |
| Maintenance | $3,600 | $4,800 | –$1,200 |
| Energy Cost | $2,100 | $3,650 | –$1,550 |
| Total Savings | — | — | ~$7,100/building/year |
Touchless fixtures show a payback period under 3 years, factoring installation and recurring savings. Intangible benefits—hygiene, corporate brand, and tenant satisfaction—further enhance ROI.
Discussion & Implications
Operational Advantages
- Auto shut-off curbs accidental burns and water wastage during handwashing.
- Fewer mechanical parts mean less chance of wear or malfunction.
- Touchless design simplifies cleaning routines.
Environmental Leadership
- Annual water savings per building (~160k gal) align with corporate sustainability goals.
- Reduced energy demand supports lower greenhouse emissions.
Adoption Hurdles
- Higher upfront cost—mitigated by long-term savings.
- Initial user learning curve—most users adapt within weeks.
- Sensor expertise required for optimal installation and adjustment.
BathSelect aids this transition through strong contractor support and installation guidance blog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.com+13blog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.com+13Bath Select+13Fontana Showers Blog+1Bath Select+1blog.bathselect.comBath Select+3Bath Select+3blog.bathselect.com+3.
Recommendations
- Retrofit Priority: Target high-traffic buildings first to maximize financial and environmental gains.
- Preventive Maintenance: Schedule quarterly sensor checks and battery replacements.
- User Communication: Post signage to ease user adoption and reduce improper fixture use.
- Data Tracking: Monitor monthly water and maintenance logs to validate ongoing savings.
- Sustainability Reporting: Use savings for LEED/Energy Star reporting and sustainability commitments.
Conclusion
The ten-building study confirms BathSelect’s touchless TOF fixtures deliver significant advantages over manual faucets in corporate environments:
- 38% average water savings, with up to 45% in busy restrooms.
- 33% fewer maintenance events and 25% lower upkeep costs.
- High satisfaction, with user approval at 94% and increased perceptions of cleanliness.
- Environmental impact: Reduced hotspots for germs, water, energy, and carbon emissions.
Supported by peer-reviewed and corporate studies, these benefits show that touchless fixtures aren’t just a hygiene upgrade—they’re a financially and ecologically savvy investment.
Supplemental Studies & References
- BathSelect TOF sensor technology details Bath Selectblog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.com+9Bath Select+9Bath Select+9blog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.com+3Fontana Showers Blog+3blog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.com+3
- FontanaShowers’ commercial water savings case studies blog.bathselect.com+6Fontana Showers Blog+6Bath Select+6
- Diverse field studies featuring 30–50% water reduction in schools, hospitals, airports, casinos Fontana Showers Blog+2blog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.com+2Bath Select+2
- Bacterial contamination study in Journal of Applied Microbiology (2011) blog.bathselect.com
- BathSelect user satisfaction and contractor reliability survey (2024) blog.bathselect.com
- WaterSense and LEED program benefits blog.fontanatouchlessfaucets.com+1Bath Select+1