Did you know toilets are typically the main source of water usage in a home? It may be surprising to some that they top the list over showers, but the average toilet manufactured before 1994 uses 3.5 gallons of water or more per flush. When you factor in how much the average family member flushes the toilet several times per day, that’s a lot of water!
Fortunately, a relatively simple way to reduce water usage on flushing is to upgrade to water-saving toilets. Keep reading to learn more about what water-saving toilets are and the benefits of installing them.
What Is a Water-Efficient Toilet?
Just like recent advancements to our home’s appliances and favorite electronics, toilets, too, have received significant upgrades. Today, the current federal standard for the amount of water used is 1.6 gallons per flush. To meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense criteria, a new toilet must use 1.28 gallons per flush or less while providing equal to superior performance.
There are typically three types of flush options to choose from for water-efficient toilets: single flush, dual flush, and pressure-assisted flush. Single-flush toilets operate just as their name suggests – they have one flush with 1.6 gallons of water or less. Dual-flush toilets have two options depending on the type of waste in the toilet. Solid waste typically requires 1.28 to 1.6 gallons of water, while flushing liquid waste can use as little as .8 to 1.1 gallons.
Pressure-assisted toilets use pressurized air in the tank to help push water into the toilet bowl more forcefully, which helps lower the amount of water that is needed – typically about 1 gallon.
Benefits of Installing a Water-Efficient Toilet?
If you’re shopping around for new toilets, consider the benefits of buying one which is WaterSense certified. Some of the benefits of swapping out your old water-guzzling toilet for a water-efficient toilet model are:
Water Conservation
It’s important for the environment that we make an effort to conserve water where we can in our lives. Replacing your older, inefficient toilets with WaterSense toilet fixtures can reduce the amount of water used for flushing toilets by 20-60%, or about 13,000 gallons of water per year for your home, according to the EPA. This significant amount of water savings is an easy way to contribute to improving the environment.
Savings
Homeowners can save as much as $140 dollars per year on their water bills when they replace toilets in their homes with high-efficiency toilets like low flush toilets. This savings can add up to about $2,900 during the toilets’ lifespan.
Performance
Low-flow models require few repairs and perform remarkably well. When you pull on the handle, you’ll be impressed with how quickly and powerfully your new low-flow toilets remove water and waste from the bowl.
Reduce Leaks
Household leaks can cause 180 gallons of water loss per week, and a leaky toilet is often the main cause for suddenly high water bills. Although leaks are often due to a worn-out flapper which can be replaced, it might be worth installing a low-flow toilet if yours is older and inefficient.
Indiana American Water Is Committed to High-Quality Water
Indiana American Water holds itself to high standards when it comes to delivering safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water, all while promoting water conservation. Click here to learn more water-conservation tips or to use a water calculator to determine how much water is used in your home.