Frequently Asked
Questions
How much odor comes
from a composting toilet?
None. Air is being continuously
drawn in to the unit and up the vent stack, creating a partial
vacuum in the unit. In addition, the composting drum fosters a
good aerobic compost which produces no odors.
How often do you
empty it?
Never completely. You typically
empty some of the compost out of the drum once per year. In cases
of continuous use, you may extract some compost more often.
Do I add any
chemicals?
No. The only thing that is added
is peat moss mixed with wood shavings, (50% wood shavings, 50%
peat moss). Chemicals are, in fact, dangerous to the composting
process and should never be added at all.
What happens in the
winter?
Nothing. The compost remains in
the drum and freezes, so no composting is taking place. The
elements will NOT damage the system during the winter months. In
fact, waste can be added in limited quantities during the winter
for use as a holding tank, if you are only planning to use the
unit about once a month.
Can it be used all
winter?
Yes. If the area where the
composting unit is heated to a minimum 55 os
farinheight throughout the winter, then composting will occur.
How much hydro do
they use?
About 125 Watts. The electric
units require hydro to power a fan (25 Watts continuous) and a
heating element that is thermostatically controlled. The average
draw is about 125 Watts, or the equivalent of a lightbulb.
What if no
electricity is available?
No problem. Each Sun-Mar toilet
is available in a non-electric version.
I have a generator
that runs part of the time. Can I use an electric unit?
No. A non-electric unit is
recommended or a unit that has both electric and non-electric
capabilities (AC/DC unit).
How do you clean it?
You only have to clean the bowl
(in a central system) or the bowl liner (self-contained unit) as
you would a regular bowl, except without the use of chemicals.
Recommended cleaners are Sun-Mar Compost Quick or hot water that
is mixed with baking soda or vinegar.
Do animals harm the
system?
No. The compost is not something
that is attractive to animals. Some people do build an enclosure
to ensure curious animals or children don't tamper with the units.
What is the warranty?
The warranty is 25 years on the
fiberglass shell and 3 years on all other parts.
What parts wear out?
Like brakes or tires on a car,
certain parts eventually need to be replaced. On Sun-Mar toilets,
the fan and the thermostat usually fail after a number of years.
In both cases the parts are inexpensive and are easily accessible
for the customer to repair.
On a central system,
how far away from the toilet bowl can the composting unit be
located?
Up to 20 feet is usually safe. We
have encountered cases that have had longer distances, but in
every case we recommend that you carefully follow installation
instructions. It is very important that you carefully measure the
slope of the pipe in any case.
How many toilets can
I hook up to a central system?
You may connect up to 3 toilets
to any one system. The amount of toilets is not as important as
the number of people using the system.
Can you throw the
paper in the toilet?
Yes. The paper is a source of
carbon for the compost.
Should males still
urinate outside or in the outhouse?
No. In fact, the liquid is
beneficial to the composting process.
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