4 benefits of touchless plumbing fixtures
Touchless fixtures for bathrooms have been available for decades, and they continue to grow in popularity as building owners look for ways to improve commercial bathroom performance, reduce maintenance, and manage water use more efficiently. Touchless bathroom faucets, also known as hands-free faucets, have become a standard feature in many commercial bathrooms because they help support consistent operation while meeting evolving expectations for modern facilities.
Making the switch to touchless plumbing fixtures is a big decision, so it makes sense to weigh the pros and cons. If you or your customers are still unsure, due to cost or other concerns, explore how the benefits of touchless faucets could help upgrade their building as you grow your business.
1. Touchless restroom fixtures are more hygienic.
Throughout the day, high-traffic bathrooms see frequent use, and touchless plumbing fixtures, including sensor faucets and touchless toilets, help reduce contact with commonly touched surfaces like faucet handles and dispensers. This can support routine cleaning protocols while helping facilities maintain a clean, modern bathroom environment.
Touchless fixtures can also help address another consideration common to all plumbing systems: water that sits stagnant in supply lines during periods of low use. Many smart faucets with infrared sensor technology can be programmed to automatically flush older water and bring in fresh water on a predetermined schedule without requiring manual intervention. These automated line-purging features help simplify stagnation management while reducing the labor required for routine maintenance.
2. Touchless fixtures create a positive impression of your business.
Touchless fixtures help reinforce a well-maintained, modern facility. As hands-free technology has become more common in commercial bathrooms, many building owners and facility managers view touchless faucets as part of an updated bathroom design that reflects ongoing investment in the property.
Installing automatic faucets can also help create a more consistent bathroom experience across commercial buildings. Whether in offices, healthcare facilities, schools, retail spaces, or hospitality settings, touchless fixtures support professional facility management by reducing manual touchpoints and aligning with the expectations of today's commercial bathroom environments.
3. Automatic faucets save water and energy.
Touchless plumbing fixtures do need electricity while manual faucets do not, which may be one obstacle holding businesses back from upgrading. But the amount of energy used for sensors and solenoid valves is low, and these typically have a lifespan of years.
The water savings with an automatic bathroom faucet come from built-in flow control and timed shutoff features that limit water use to only when the fixture is activated. Many models also include a faucet aerator that further reduces water consumption while maintaining performance. In high-traffic commercial bathrooms, these features can deliver meaningful water savings over the life of the fixture.
In addition, automatic faucets allow you to set a consistent water temperature, helping reduce the energy required to heat excess hot water. Together, these water- and energy-saving features can contribute to lower operating costs over time.
Water-efficient touchless fixtures can also help support a building's sustainability and accessibility goals. Water-efficient bathroom faucets may contribute toward LEED® certification as part of an overall building strategy, while properly specified ADA-compliant fixtures can help facilities meet ADA bathroom compliance requirements.
4. An automatic bathroom faucet takes less time to clean.
There are labor cost savings with touchless plumbing fixtures as well. Faucets and sinks will still need to be disinfected and sanitized, and sensors must be clear, but touchless fixtures have fewer contact surfaces and eliminate the need to clean faucet handles. These cost savings add up over time and allow workers to move more quickly through tasks.
Learn how to calculate total cost of ownership for facilities.
Is installing touchless fixtures worth the cost?
When a customer's bathrooms are due for an upgrade, you can help them compare the cost of replacing traditional faucets and toilets with the long-term value of upgrading to touchless plumbing fixtures.
While the initial cost to switch may be up to 30% higher than a standard replacement, you can show customers how that investment pays off over time through reduced water use, lower cleaning and maintenance costs, and improved operational efficiency. Presenting the total cost of ownership (TCO) — not just the upfront price — can help you demonstrate why a touchless upgrade is the right long-term investment for their project.
Ferguson can help with touchless plumbing fixtures
If you're specifying or installing touchless plumbing fixtures for a commercial project, talk to Ferguson about the pros and cons. Our knowledgeable associates can help you evaluate product options, compare commercial plumbing fixtures, including touchless bathroom faucets, sensor toilets, and other touchless plumbing solutions to help you deliver modern solutions. With extensive inventory, local branch expertise, and support throughout the selection process, Ferguson is a trusted partner for plumbing professionals.