Toilets are often neglected during bathroom remodeling (pun intended). After all, they don’t contribute the most to the aesthetic appeal of your gorgeous bathroom renovation. However, toilets have the ability to increase your water bill with each flush by using a lot of water. So to answer the question above, can low flow toilets save money on your water bill? Well, yes they can.
We’re here to support you as you dive into the world of low-flow toilets. We’ll dive deep into low-flow toilets to see which ones are best for your upcoming bathroom renovation.
What is a low-flow toilet?
Low-flow toilets are good for the environment; they’re made to use less water and save you money on your utility bills. Since being widely used in the 1990s, their designs have evolved. They are sleeker, smaller, and have a more contemporary appearance as a result of this and the fact that they carry less water.
How a Low-Flow Toilet Works to Save Water
A low-flow toilet can function with the help of pressure or gravity.
On gravity-driven toilets, the flapper in the toilet tank releases the water into the bowl to flush. The garbage and water are then carried through your plumbing by gravity.
When the valve is opened, a pressure-assisted toilet uses a tank filled with water to force water from the tank through the bowl.
Both systems will have an impact on the toilet’s capacity for waste removal, how much water it uses, and its overall design. Several different low-flow toilet types are produced as a result of these variations. You can choose the best one for your bathroom by being aware of their differences.
Types of Low-Flow Toilets
Let’s examine low-flow toilets in more detail and what they can do for your bathroom.
Grasp-Fed Tank
While less powerful than pressure-assisted toilets, gravity-fed low-flow toilets are quieter. Gravity-operated toilets work best on the upper floors of the house; they are typically not recommended for the basement or the first floor.
Pipe wear is reduced with gravity-fed toilets compared to pressure-assisted ones because they don’t need a more advanced water supply system. This suggests that older homes, where pipes may be more prone to leakage, may benefit from gravity-fed toilets.
On the downside, gravity-fed tanks typically use more water, making them less environmentally friendly than other options.
Double-Button Flush
Two distinct gravity-based flushing systems with varying intensities are used by two-button flush toilets. They can handle any waste, whether it is liquid or solid. One of the greenest options is a dual-flush toilet, which, when used properly, offers significant water savings.
Models with Pressure and Power Assisted
The highest water pressure is offered by a pressure-assisted toilet, which also avoids obstructions. However, higher pressure is accompanied by additional noise, and it may harm older homes’ pipes.
If you don’t need installation, power-assisted toilets cost roughly $250 compared to $180 for a two-button flush and $100 for a gravity-fed toilet.
Low Flow Toilet Benefits
Making the switch to a low flow toilet in your bathroom has advantages like:
Less expensive monthly water bills: Low flow toilets use less water than standard toilets, saving you money.
Sustainability: Because using less water is better for the environment, you can flush with confidence that you aren’t producing additional waste.
Low flow toilets and other energy-efficient plumbing modifications can increase the value of your property and increase its resale value if you decide to sell.
Installing a low flow toilet has certain drawbacks in spite of its benefits.
Low Flow Toilet Disadvantages
Low flow toilets may have the following drawbacks:
Installation costs: It may cost more to install these toilets. This is particularly true if your home needs plumbing or pipe upgrades to create room for the toilet.
Low flow toilets may clog more frequently than regular toilets do due to pressure issues. This applies more to toilets that use gravity rather than pressure, though.
Once you are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of low flow toilets, you can decide if they are the best option for your home. If the answer is yes, you must choose whether to do it yourself or pay a contractor to install the toilet.
Low Flow Toilet Installation: DIY or Contractor?
A toilet installation will normally take a homeowner two to four hours to complete. A contractor might complete the task a little sooner.
You should know that installing a toilet isn’t the simplest do-it-yourself task. Additionally, poor installation could harm your water or plumbing system. Therefore, employing a contractor can be your best option if you lack experience.
A contractor will cost more because they charge for work in addition to the toilet’s purchase price. The time and effort you saved, though, might also prevent problems in the future.
How Much Water Will a Low Flow Toilet Save?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, toilets account for 30% of the water used in residential buildings. Upgrading your toilet can help you save a significant amount of both water and money.
Naturally, how much money you save with a low flow toilet will depend on how much water and energy your old toilets used to use as well as the cost of water in your location. According to EPA data and averages, a low flow toilet can save your home 11,000 gallons of water year, saving you between $140 and $180 in water bills. You can break even on a new low flow toilet within two years after purchase because they typically cost approximately $250.
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