What Are Low-Flow Toilets?

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated that all U.S.-manufactured toilets must have a maximum flush volume of no more than 1.6 gallons. While that may sound like a lot of water, it’s worth noting that toilets made before 1992 used up to seven gallons per flush!

The first low-flow toilets worked wonders to reduce water usage, but lower water use meant sacrificing flush force. Instead of flushing once to remove waste, the original low-flow toilets might require two to three flushes—which defeats the purpose of trying to save water while also making users upset.

Thankfully, technology has advanced to the point that low-flow toilets work better than their older counterparts while saving thousands of gallons of water per year. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of low-flow toilets in Raleigh, NC and why you should upgrade to one:

  • Lower water bill: Believe it or not, toilets account for nearly 30 percent of the water usage in a home. Since low-flow toilets can reduce water usage by up to 60 percent, you’re sure to see your water bills drop each month. The average homeowner can save up to $100 throughout the year by upgrading to a low-flow toilet.
  • Incentives and rebates: On top of those monthly savings, you may be able to get a rebate or an incentive from your local water company by upgrading to a low-flow toilet. Keep in mind that this isn’t always the case, so be sure to talk to your water company about incentives before making a purchase.
  • Eco-friendly option: If you’re interested in helping save the environment, you can do your part by just upgrading to a low-flow toilet. Low-flow models reduce water usage by up to 13,000 gallons per year. If every American would replace inefficient toilets with new models, we could save 560 billion gallons annually!

What type of low-flow toilet do you need?

Now you know what low-flow toilets are in Raleigh, NC. But did you know that there are several different models of low-flow toilets on the market? These are a few of the different types of low-flow toilets to consider:

  • Gravity-fed tank: This is the type of toilet most of us are used to—they rely on the weight of the water in the tank to flush waste. These models are the most inexpensive ones on the market.
  • Dual flush: As the name suggests, a dual-button flush toilet is a gravity-fed tank with two buttons. The half-flush button for liquids uses 0.8 gallons, while the full-flush button for solids uses 1.6 gallons per flush. They’re a bit more expensive, but they can help save more money with each half-flush.
  • Power assisted: A power-assisted or pressure-assisted system uses both compressed air and water to flush waste. Since they’re noisier than other models, these are typically reserved for commercial use.

Contact us to install your new toilet today

Installing low-flow toilets in Raleigh, NC can be a DIY task. However, we recommend letting professionals handle all of your residential plumbing needs. Give our experts at Affordable Plumbing Call Us 1st, Inc. a call today to set up an appointment or to learn more about our services.