Is Japan a model of energy efficiency for the United States to follow? Per capita energy consumption in Japan is far lower than here, but population density is part of the reason. The average American has more living space and travels greater distances. The average U.S. bathroom may also be miserly to state-of-the-art loos across the Pacific. The Washington Post reports on the energy-guzzling toilets that have become quite big in Japan:

Japanese toilets can warm and wash one's bottom, whisk away odors with built-in fans and play water noises that drown out potty sounds. They play relaxation music, too. "Ave Maria" is a favorite.

High-end toilets can also sense when someone enters or leaves the bathroom, raising or lowering their lids accordingly. Many models have a "learning mode," which allows them to memorize the lavatory schedules of household members.

These always-on electricity-guzzlers (keeping water warm for bottom-washing devours power) barely existed in Japan before 1980. Now, they are in 68 percent of homes, accounting for about 4 percent of household energy consumption. They use more power than dishwashers or clothes dryers.