Yeah, battery backups are definitely a must-have. Had tenants a couple winters ago who insisted on going fully solar and composting toilet setup—no propane, no generator, nothing. I warned them repeatedly about winter conditions, but they were convinced it'd be fine. Sure enough, first major snowstorm knocked out their solar panels for nearly a week. Let's just say the composting toilet quickly went from "eco-friendly novelty" to "urgent phone calls at midnight."
Honestly, I'm all for sustainability, but practicality has to come first. Low-flow toilets combined with rainwater harvesting or greywater recycling can be just as eco-friendly without the risk of a frozen compost pile disaster. Learned my lesson the hard way: always have a backup plan, especially when tenants' comfort (and your sanity) depends on it.
Totally agree, especially about backups. One thing I'd add—if you're going composting, insulating the compost chamber and adding a small heating element (even battery-powered) can save you from those midnight panic calls. Learned that trick after a similar fiasco...
"insulating the compost chamber and adding a small heating element (even battery-powered) can save you from those midnight panic calls."
Good tip, insulation definitely helps. But have you run into issues with moisture buildup inside the chamber when adding heat? I've seen setups where condensation became a real headache, especially in colder climates. Curious if you've found a workaround for that...
I've tried the heating element route myself, and honestly, moisture was a bigger pain than I expected. Even with decent ventilation, condensation kept forming on colder nights, and I ended up with mold issues. Eventually, I ditched the heater altogether and just beefed up insulation and airflow—worked better for me in the long run. Might depend on your climate though...
"Eventually, I ditched the heater altogether and just beefed up insulation and airflow—worked better for me in the long run."
Interesting you mention insulation and airflow... I've had similar headaches with moisture, especially in older buildings. Makes me wonder if composting toilets might have similar condensation issues, given they're vented outdoors. Has anyone here actually dealt with condensation or mold problems specifically from composting setups? I've always leaned toward low-flow toilets myself—less hassle with tenants and fewer surprises—but I'm open to reconsidering if composting isn't as finicky as I'm imagining. I mean, eco-friendly is great, but not if it means constant maintenance calls about mold or weird smells, right?
