GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILETS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS GEBERIT AQUACLEAN?

Geberit AquaClean is the shower toilet line from Geberit. The shower toilet models clean your bottom with warm water from a spray nozzle.

WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILETS?

The gentle water jet provides more thorough cleaning and is kinder to the skin than wiping with paper. It leaves you feeling fresh and clean all over. A Geberit AquaClean shower toilet provides unparalleled comfort and ensures excellent personal hygiene.

HOW DO THEY DIFFER FROM A CONVENTIONAL WC?

Geberit AquaClean is no different from conventional toilets in terms of normal use. You use it in exactly the same way. The difference lies in what happens afterwards. Instead of wiping with toilet paper as you would when using a conventional WC, the Geberit AquaClean shower toilet cleans you gently and thoroughly with water.

ARE THE GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILETS EASY TO USE?

Yes. They can be operated quickly and easily at the touch of a button – some models even allow operation via remote control or the Geberit AquaClean app.

HOW DOES THE GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILET WORK?

While you are sitting on the shower toilet, you press a button to trigger a water spray at body temperature which cleans you with a comfortable level of pressure that you can select yourself. Some models will also extract and neutralise unpleasant odours. Depending on the features of the model in question, the Geberit AquaClean shower toilet will then dry you with warm air.

DO I STILL NEED TOILET PAPER?

This depends on which model you have, and how you decide to use it. You can choose to use the dryer functionality (depending on the model), which will dry you gently with warm air, or you can dry yourself with toilet paper.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AQUACLEAN AND BALENA?

Geberit’s shower toilets went by the name of Balena until the end of 2008. The product line was overhauled at the start of 2009 and new models were developed. The name Geberit AquaClean therefore represents a new generation of products.

WHAT KIND OF MODELS ARE AVAILABLE?

In the segment of WCs with spray functionality, Geberit offers complete integrated solutions (entire ceramic units) as well as enhancement solutions for retrofitting on existing WCs.

WHY SHOULD I CLEAN MYSELF WITH WATER RATHER THAN PAPER?

Water is the most natural means of cleaning. Imagine scrubbing yourself with paper instead of taking a shower or trying to wipe your dirty dishes clean with dry paper towels. WC hygiene solutions that use water are more thorough than using paper. They leave no trace behind and are gentle on your skin, leaving you feeling fresh and clean all over.

DOES CLEANING WITH WATER LEAD TO BETTER PERSONAL HYGIENE?

Yes, because cleaning with water is more thorough. You will really feel the difference – it leaves you much cleaner than paper does. Water represents purity and cleanliness and has always been central to the concepts of cleaning and hygiene.

WHO IS THE GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILET SUITABLE FOR?

Anyone who values well-being, cleanliness and freshness.

CAN YOU STILL USE A GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILET IF YOU HAVE HEALTH PROBLEMS?

Geberit AquaClean shower toilets are particularly suitable for people with health problems or skin irritation around their bottom because they enable gentle, thorough and contact-free cleaning. By improving WC hygiene, they can alleviate or even eliminate many ailments – such as haemorrhoids, for example.

CAN YOU STILL USE A GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILET IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY?

Nowadays, many architects recommend that accessibility should be factored in from the outset when designing bathrooms. With this in mind, a Geberit AquaClean shower toilet is not just a lifestyle product – it is a sensible long-term investment. Geberit AquaClean shower toilets help older people to continue using the toilet independently. As a barrier-free WC, the Geberit AquaClean shower toilet can also enhance the well-being and independence of people with disabilities.

CAN YOU STILL USE A SHOWER TOILET IF YOU ARE PREGNANT?

Yes – using the water jet is a very gentle and comfortable experience.

CAN CHILDREN USE A GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILET?

Yes. However, people who are not familiar with a Geberit AquaClean shower toilet – particularly children – must be taught how to use it first.

WHY SHOULD I SWITCH FROM A CONVENTIONAL WC TO A SHOWER TOILET?

There is no comparison between a Geberit AquaClean shower toilet and a conventional toilet. If your cleanliness and well-being are important to you, it is worth investing in a Geberit AquaClean shower toilet.

IS INSTALLING A GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILET A BIG INVESTMENT?

No. The installation itself is only slightly more expensive than for a conventional WC. Depending on the building, however, minor structural modifications may also be required for the water and power supplies. The bathroom retail partner in question will know what is required when it comes to the bathroom design.

ARE THERE STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS THAT I NEED TO CONSIDER?

All you need is a mains connection. In the case of new buildings and bathroom renovations, the electrical connection should be positioned according to the chosen Geberit AquaClean shower toilet model. For retrofit solutions, the power supply can also be installed on the wall.
Ask your plumber or an electrician for professional advice if necessary.

CAN A GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILET ALSO BE INSTALLED AS A RETROFIT SOLUTION?

Yes, thanks to our sophisticated technology, Geberit AquaClean shower toilets can also be installed as retrofit solutions. In conjunction with the Geberit AquaClean design panel, all Geberit AquaClean shower toilet models can be installed quickly and elegantly in your bathroom/WC. The necessary connections are hidden by a discreet glass panel. If you are renovating your bathroom and want to replace a WC that has a visible cistern, the combination of Geberit AquaClean and Geberit Monolith is an elegant alternative.

CAN I INSTALL A GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILET IN A RENTED APARTMENT?

Of course. Geberit’s WC enhancement solutions are specifically designed for use in rented apartments. You can retrofit one of these solutions in your apartment and, when you move out, you can simply take it with you.

DO I HAVE TO GET PERMISSION FROM MY LANDLORD FIRST?

That will depend on your tenancy agreement. Generally speaking, you should not need permission as a Geberit AquaClean WC enhancement solution can simply be uninstalled at any time without any trouble. If you are unsure, however, you can of course check with your landlord.

HOW DO YOU INSTALL A WC ENHANCEMENT SOLUTION?

Your Geberit AquaClean WC enhancement solution can be installed by a plumber or other skilled person in around an hour without any conversion work and without making a mess. When you move out, the enhancement solution can be uninstalled just as easily.

HOW MUCH DO THE VARIOUS GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILET MODELS COST?

The Geberit AquaClean range features a variety of products to suit any type of bathroom design. The most important basic functions can be provided by a WC enhancement solution. The top model – a complete solution with integrated WC ceramic appliance – provides numerous comfort features and additional functions, including the option to save personal profiles/settings.
Please contact your local showroom who will be able to provide detailed information about prices for your particular bathroom situation.

HOW HIGH ARE THE CONSUMPTION COSTS?

The consumption costs will vary depending on the number of people in the household, their usage habits, the particular model and functions in question and the applicable electricity mix. As costs also vary considerably for conventional WCs depending on usage and paper consumption, it is unfortunately not possible to give a concrete figure for comparison.

WILL I BE CREATING EXTRA WORK FOR MYSELF?

A Geberit AquaClean shower toilet is very low-maintenance. Thanks to its intelligent technology, the shower toilet is quick and easy to clean. On some models, you can remove the WC seat and lid in a single motion to enable more effective cleaning.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BEAR IN MIND IN TERMS OF MAINTENANCE?

As the Geberit AquaClean shower toilet models feature a high-performance continuous flow heater, all appliances must be descaled at least once a year to ensure that they keep working properly.
Regular descaling will guarantee that you are able to benefit from maximum performance and, hence, maximum comfort at all times. The descaling cycle will depend on the water hardness and the number of shower cycles. The descaling process is completely harmless from an environmental perspective and is carried out in the same way as for other household appliances.
In the case of appliances with odour extraction, the catalytic odour filter should also be replaced on an annual basis in order to maintain full functionality.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IN THE EVENT OF A MALFUNCTION?

Things don’t often go wrong with our appliances, but if a malfunction does occur, you should be able to find help quickly in the customer service area of this website. If you cannot resolve the problem yourself, please contact the customer service team.

WHERE CAN I ORDER CONSUMABLES AND CARE PRODUCTS?

Contact your bathroom retail partner or our customer service team.

I HAVE A BALENA SHOWER TOILET. CAN I STILL GET TECHNICAL SUPPORT?

Of course. Spare parts and services are still available for older Geberit models. User manuals and other technical information for current or earlier models can be found in our customer service area.

HOW LONG IS THE SERVICE LIFE OF A GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILET?

As is the case with a conventional WC, the service life of a Geberit AquaClean shower toilet will primarily depend on how carefully it is cleaned and maintained.

HOW SAFE ARE THE GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILET MODELS?

The quality and safety of our Geberit AquaClean shower toilet models are our top priority. Our CE-compliant products adhere to the relevant European regulations. All Geberit AquaClean shower toilets have been tested and certified by ElectroSuisse (SEV marking) and by the SVGW/DVGW.

IS A GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILET MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY THAN A CONVENTIONAL WC?

WC complete solutions from Geberit score highly with regard to life cycle assessments and are comparable to conventional toilets when the consumption of toilet paper is taken into account. When making comparisons with paper consumption, the additional water consumption for a shower toilet plays a secondary role. The key factors for the comparison are actually the manufacture of the toilet paper and the electricity consumption required to heat the water. Geberit AquaClean products allow users to save more energy by individually adjusting the product settings, thus reducing their environmental impact even further.
In standby mode (economy mode), all Geberit AquaClean shower toilet models consume less than 0.5 watts of energy. All Geberit AquaClean shower toilet models are equipped with an economy mode and fulfil the European eco-design requirements (ErP directives).

HOW MUCH WATER DO THE DIFFERENT MODELS USE?

The additional water consumption compared to a conventional WC will vary depending on usage and the model in question. The top model, Geberit AquaClean Mera, uses 1 litre per shower procedure. For the other models (Geberit AquaClean Sela and Geberit AquaClean Tuma), the additional water consumption is 0.5 litres per shower procedure.

DOESN’T A GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILET INCREASE WATER CONSUMPTION UNNECESSARILY?

No. It’s true that the water consumption is somewhat higher than for a conventional WC, but that is offset by the fact that the shower toilet significantly reduces the amount of toilet paper used. The important thing is to look at the overall life cycle assessment – i.e. from the raw materials through to production, use and final disposal of a product. In standby mode (economy mode), all AquaClean shower toilet models consume less than 0.5 watts of power.
All models are equipped with an economy mode and fulfil the European eco-design requirements (ErP directives).

IS IT POSSIBLE TO RECONCILE THE USE OF A GEBERIT AQUACLEAN SHOWER TOILET WITH A DESIRE TO SAVE WATER?

The desire to save water is central to the Geberit philosophy. Any attempt to combine cleanliness with water conservation will always present something of a dilemma. Improved hygiene generally goes hand in hand with increased water consumption. Our aim is to achieve the best possible hygiene with as little water as possible.
To this end, Geberit developed a groundbreaking innovation in the form of the patented WhirlSpray shower technology. This WhirlSpray shower technology produces a powerful rotation with a gentle massaging effect and also aerates the water spray. The effect is spectacular: despite using much less water, the cleaning effect is actually enhanced and the level of comfort increased.
The first product to be fitted with the revolutionary WhirlSpray shower technology was the Geberit AquaClean shower toilet Mera Comfort. Since 2017, the Geberit AquaClean shower toilets Mera Classic, Tuma and Sela have also been fitted with the technology, ensuring better hygiene in combination with reduced water consumption.
In this way, the Geberit AquaClean shower toilet achieves the goal of providing users with enhanced cleanliness while maintaining – or even improving – our environmental credentials.