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Toilets
Toilet flushing accounts for 45% of indoor water use, or
approximately 32,000 gallons per year for a family of four using 5-7
gallons-per-flush toilets. That's $56 a year per toilet based on the average
cost of water ($1.76 per 1,000 gallons), for those still using inefficient
toilets.
- Reduce the amount of energy used
to pump, heat, and treat water.
- Cut daily water use 34% per
toilet.
- Save the typical household
7,900-21,700 gallons of water per year per toilet, cutting both your water
and wastewater bills.
- Help maintain aquatic habitats;
restore wetlands and fisheries.
By law, replacement or new construction toilets are
restricted to flush a maximum of 1.6 gallons rather than the 3.5-7 gallons used
by older toilets. Specific model choices are a question of preference, size, and
rough-in limitations, and desired performance. Options include...
- Gravity-fed flushing (uses
natural force of the water when it drops from the tank to the bowl).
- Power-assisted or
pressure-assisted toilets (separate flushometer tank system utilizes air
pressure to move the water).
- Elongated oval bowls (offer
greater support for your legs).
- Compact, wall-mounted European
model with a concealed tank.
- Buy low profile, one-piece
toilets (available in round and elongated styles) with an integrated tank
and bowl.
- Two-piece toilets, which sit
higher and are more comfortable on the knees.
- Composting toilet for minimal
water use and maximum conservation opportunities.
Toilets installed prior to 1994 use 3.5-7 gallons (13-27
liters) of water per flush and as much as 20 gallons (76 liters) per person per
day. In addition, an average of 20% of toilets leak, wasting up to 200 gallons a
day. You can save a significant amount of water and reduce your utility,
wastewater, and water bills, by doing the following...
- Install an ultra low-flow
toilet that requires only 1.6 gallons (6 liters) per flush.
- Consider a pressurized model
for optimal performance when installing a low-flow toilet in the basement.
- Check toilets periodically
for leaks, and repair them promptly.
- Reduce tank capacity by
placing a one-gallon plastic jug of water or gravel, or two one-quart
bottles in the tank.
- Install a "dam"
that partitions off a section of the tank so it can't fill with water.
- Don't use the toilet as a
trash can.
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Tips
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