The VIP toilet is designed with a patented odor removal system that immediately removes odorous air from beneath you, redirecting the odorous air into the waste pipe, without ever entering the room. To activate the odor removal system, lift the flush handle up. To turn the system off, flush the toilet. It's that simple. The odor removal system safely operates on 12 volts - the system can be powered by plugging into a standard GFIC wall outlet with the included six-foot power cord or the rechargeable battery option, which is sold separately. Battery mounts under the toilet tank, out of sight. Battery operates for approximately 43 non-consecutive hours per charge. For example, if you use the system for 10 minutes at a time that is over 250 uses before the battery will need charging.