High-Efficiency Toilets vs Regular Toilets: Three Differences

High-efficiency toilets might sound a little confusing. What is there to be efficient about with a toilet? In this case, it’s about conserving water, not energy. Whenever you flush a traditional toilet, you waste water. High-efficiency toilets can change all of that, reducing your water bill and helping you make more sustainable decisions. Here are some of the many differences between regular toilets and high-efficiency toilets.

1. Pressurized Flushing 

High-efficiency toilets don’t just wash waste down like regular toilets do. Instead, they add pressure to the water to make the flow more powerful and sweep the waste down the drain. They achieve this with pressurized air in the tank. Of course, this pressure has a downside in that it can make more noise than a regular toilet. That said, the pressure also prevents clogging, so high-efficiency toilets are less likely to need to be plunged. 

2. Water Usage 

Almost 25% of a household’s water usage is from flushing. You can significantly reduce that usage and save hundreds on your water bill by upgrading from your old toilet to a high-efficiency toilet. As they use pressure to move waste, these toilets do not need to use much water. They can use half or less the amount of water per flush, although that depends on which mode you’re using. 

3. Flushing Modes 

Another benefit of high-efficiency toilets is that they have multiple flushing modes. There is a “number one” flush for urine and a “number two” flush for other waste. The first flush mode uses much less water and pressure because urine will flow out regardless. The second flush mode is more powerful but still uses much less water than a traditional flush. 

Thinking of replacing your toilet? Speak to our expert team at Guest Plumbing & Heating today for all your plumbing needs.  

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When Should I Get a New Toilet? 

When is it time to make the switch to a new toilet, whether you want a high-efficiency one or not? It can be a tough question because toilets can last a long while, perhaps even long enough to be dated in style. That said, swapping out a very old toilet for a high-efficiency one will save you a great deal of water. 

So, when is it time? Look for these signs: 

• Leaks: Small, constant leaks can waste your money and water. Large leaks can cause water damage. Either way, a toilet that keeps springing leaks needs to be replaced. 
• Plunging: Constantly needing to plunge isn’t a good sign. 
• Long flushes: These waste water. 
• Age: Start to consider replacing your toilet at the 20-25 year mark, where its age makes it less efficient and more liable to have issues. 

You don’t necessarily need to get a high-efficiency toilet to save water if your current toilet is working well. There are water-saving kits you can use to retrofit your current toilet and reduce the amount of water it uses. 

Not sure if you should replace your toilet? Or, having trouble choosing which kind of toilet you should get in your home? Get in touch with our team at Guest Plumbing & Heating today for all the help you need.