Are you thinking about replacing your old toilet with a low-flow one? Low-flow toilets are gaining in popularity because of their benefits. They come in different styles as well, which makes them such a great option for the homes of modern-day people.
It can be a great option for your home but some localities actually impose rules when it comes to the use of low-flow toilet. If you live in an area where low-flow toilets are required, it is time to find a good one that suits your needs.
Why Choose a Low-Flow Toilet?
There are a lot of benefits to having low-flow toilets such as the following:
- These toilets are designed to reduce water consumption in short-term or long-term. For every flush, you get to conserve gallons of water. It doesn’t matter if you are using the pressure-assisted ones or the gravity-operated ones – they all conserve a lot of water.
- Many are surprisingly powerful. The pressure-assisted ones can flush down solid wastes in one go, without leaving anything behind.
- You can save money almost instantaneously. According to the EPA, the average household can save a whopping $110 every year from conserving water through their low-flow toilets. Since these toilets do not require as much water to flush down waste, they can save homeowners a lot of money on their water bills.
- It can give you a return of investment unlike traditional toilets that use gallons of water per flush, these low-flow toilets can give you back your initial investment with the amount of money you will save every year. And since many of the low-flow toilets out there are durable, they can last for decades, thereby allowing you more savings. Having these toilets at home can even increase your home’s resale value.
Are There Disadvantages to Using Low-Flow Toilets?
There are, however, some downsides to using low-flow toilets. The following are some of the downsides worth considering when buying this toilet:
- Since these toilets use less water to flush down waste, they might not be as effective as full-volume toilets when it comes to completely eliminating wastes. Some people find that they need to do a second flush to completely flush down solid wastes. This defeats the purpose of using a low-flow toilet. However, this disadvantage can only be experienced on those toilets that don’t use pressure such as gravity toilets. The pressure-assisted ones, on the other hand, have no problems flushing down large volumes of solid wastes effectively.
- Some changes to your plumbing system may also be needed. That is because older homes do not have the plumbing design necessary for low-flow toilets to wok. The pipes also need to be installed in specific positions to make sure the wastes will be flushed down effectively. You might need to hire a professional plumber to make changes on the plumbing system, which means more expenses for you.
- Pressure-assisted low-flow toilets may also be noisy. When you flush them down, they might produce a loud whooshing sound that can be disrupting. Although in most cases, the noise also abruptly stops, so that shouldn’t be a deal breaker.
How Much Water Can You Save From Using Low-Flow Toilets?
As you know, toilets are the biggest consumers of water in the household. The EPA or the Environmental Protection Agency states that toilets account for 30% of water usage in the household. Older toilets can consume even more than that. An old toilet can use as much as 7 gallons of water for every flush. Compare that to the 1.28 gallons per flush rating of low-flow toilets and you are guaranteed to cut down water consumption by more than 50%.
The standard low-flow toilets can consume up to 1.6 gpf. There are also low-flow toilets today that come with dual flush functions. You can use the half flush function for flushing down liquid wastes and the full flush for solid wastes.
Choosing the Right Low-Flow Toilet for Your Bathroom
Once you have decided to get low-flow toilets for your bathroom, make sure you are getting the right one for your bathroom. Here are a few factors to consider:
Design
Low-flow toilets can come in different designs. You can choose from one-piece or two-piece toilets. Two-piece toilets are easier to install if you are doing it alone since you can carry the tank and the base separately. One-piece toilets are heavier, albeit sturdier. They are also easier to clean because there are no nooks and crannies that can collect dirt overtime.
Choose a design that matches the other fixtures in your home. If you have a modern bathroom, it makes sense to choose a low-flow toilet design that is more streamlined.
Height
The height of the toilet can determine how much comfort you will get. Taller people can opt for comfort height toilets, which are taller than your standard toilets. ADA toilets are also taller and are recommended for people with disabilities or those suffering from injuries that prevent them from moving around the toilet easily.
Comfort
Make sure the toilet seat is also comfortable. It should be large enough to accommodate your rear. Toilet seats that are too rigid can be uncomfortable to use, especially if you like to check your phone while sitting on the toilet.
Flushing Power
Also make sure it has excellent flushing power. Pressure-assisted toilets are great for those who don’t want to deal with clogs or don’t want to do a second flush for large volumes of solid wastes.
Budget
Take your budget into consideration as well. The more money you can spare for the toilet, the more features you can get. More expensive models can have features such as an antibacterial surface that makes maintenance of the toilet easier.
Also make sure you are getting a good quality toilet by not compromising the materials. It shouldn’t be cheap and made from low-quality materials as that will break easily.
Conclusion
Make sure you educate yourself even further about the various low-flow toilet options out there. Click here to read buying tips and reviews that can help you make a better buying decision.
