Water restrictions are becoming an all-too-common occurrence in our modern world. Sometimes the problem can be traced back to inadequately sized or overtaxed water distribution systems. However, limited water supply is the main cause.
According to Ohio State University’s Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, if every American household took advantage of water saving features, national water usage would decrease by 30%. This number could be translated into millions of gallons saved every day through products like water-saving toilets.
A water-efficient toilet is a great way to start reducing your consumption. The toilet consumes more water than any other home appliance. The majority of toilets installed before 1994 were designed to drain more than 3 gallons per flush. Many of these models are still in use today. Consumers can save money by replacing these older models, as well as the newer toilets which often have to be double flushed or leak water. A homeowner can save up to 33,000 gallons per year by replacing these unusable fixtures.
There are several things homeowners need to keep in mind when replacing a toilet. You should consider aesthetic concerns such as the style and size of the fixture, as well the rim type (elongated or round). A toilet seat height is an important consideration for people with bad backs and/or knees. Toilets made by many manufacturers now come in a higher-than-average height and are comparable to standard chairs.
The flushing system and the volume of the toilet are two important aspects to consider when purchasing an energy-efficient toilet. There are two main flushing options available: gravity-fed or pressure-assist technology.
Gravity-fed toilets use gravitational force for water delivery to the bowl. However, pressure-assist toiles use water pressure to push water into the bathroom. Gravity bowls siphon the contents of the bowl while pressure-assist toilets push the waste further down the drain line. Both systems are now available in 1.6-gallons-per-flush models -; each using less then half the amount of water then an energy-squandering toilet. Pressure assist toilets are also available in 1.0-gallons-per-flush models.
Gravity toilets can use standard parts that you can find at your local hardware store. The replacement parts of the pressure-assist systems may be more costly, but they have a 10-year warranty. They also require the same installation tools as gravity systems.
Both systems have advantages and disadvantages. Knowing the differences will allow you to choose the right toilet for yourself.
Mike Schroll, president of SJ Water Conservation, Inc., believes there is a difference. “I sell and install both systems. After explaining the differences, most opt for pressure-assist,”He said.
For more information, please visit www.toiletabcs.com.
