How Low Can You Gowith the new High Efficiency Toilets?

< Seriously, how is that possible?!

You might ask the same about low flow toilets. Thirty or forty years ago toilets typically used 5.5 to 8 gallons of water per flush. Today they flush with as little as 0.9 gallons of water. How is that possible?

It's the technology. Toilet design has improved significantly since low flow toilets (maximum 1.6 gpf) were first mandated in 1992. Really, it has. The new high efficiency dual flush toilets, like the Toto Aquia, are designed to clear with as little as nine tenths of a gallon of water. The single flush style toilets like the Kohler Cimmaron (1.4 gpf) and the whole line of Gerber toilets (1.1 gpf - 1.6 gpf) work well with a fraction of the water of the old style toilets. If you really want to be sure, consider a pressure assist model like the Ultra Flush from Gerber.

3.5 gallons per flush was the norm when the law was passed requiring all new toilets installed to be low flow. Rebates made it easier to make the switch and a lot of water has been saved as a result. Just as important, the load (excuse the pun) on sewage treatment plants is significantly reduced as well.

Residents of Sonoma County can still qualify for rebates if you are connected to the public sewer system and are replacing a 3.5 gpf unit with one of the newer high efficiency toilets (HET). To check the details, your eligibility, and to find a list of qualifying toilet models, log on to the Sonoma County Water Agency website for more information.

Trust us. You do not have to be leary of low flow toilets anymore. Thank goodness for improvements to design - they really do work more efficiently and predictably than they did ten years ago!

If you have questions, call the shop (996 8683). Or stop by and take a look at the Gerber toilets we have on display (20075 Broadway).

:: Lowdown on Low Flows on the HGTV website
:: EPA WaterSense Toilet Program
:: WaterSense rated toilets
:: Sonoma County rebate info

:: This image comes by way of the This Old House website. (Thank you!)



















***
Boden Plumbing primarily serves Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, and the Petaluma area. We provide a full range of residential plumbing repairs and services.
866-663-7477
www.nodrips.com