Designed for water conservation, high efficiency toilets (HETs) have been defined by the plumbing industry and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as those that use an average of 20 percent less water per flush than the industry standard of 1.6 gallons (or, 1.28 gallons). Using a high efficiency unit (in place of 1.6 gallon flush units) can save up to 8,760 gallons of water each year for a family of four with average daily flushes of six each. In municipalities like Washington, D.C. this roughly translates to a water/sewer usage annual savings of $50. Savings will be greater in climates were water is in shorter supply.
Gravity Fed Single Flush Toilets
Gravity fed single flush toilets operate the same way as any standard toilet, however, they use less total capacity per flush. Typical flush capacities that are available for these models are 1.1 and 1.28 gallons.
Dual-Flush Toilets
Designed for light and heavy flushes, dual-flush toilets tend to average less than 1.2 gallons per flush. They meet HET criteria of 1.28 gallons per flush or less (HET criteria for dual flush toilets identifies the effective flush volume as the average of one high flush and two low flushes). Dual flush models are available from many well-known manufacturers with light flush capacities from .8 to 1.1 gallons and heavy flush capacities from 1.3 to 1.6 gallons per flush. These toilets typically operate with a handle that can move up or down, or a two button system. One direction or button will activate the lower flow flush, while the other will activate the higher flow flush.
Pressure Assist Toilets
Pressure assist, or pressurized tank, toilets are another high performance, low consumption alternative. These toilets use either water line pressure or a device in the tank to create additional force from air pressure to flush the toilet. The device in the tank could either be a storage device with compressed air that would require replacement or a tank that creates pressure when the tank is being filled. These toilets typically average 1.1 to 1.2 gallons per flush. Some pressure assist systems move a greater volume of water at a significantly lesser volume of sound.
Power Assist Toilets
Power assist toilets operate using a pump to force water down at a higher velocity than gravity toilets. Power assist toilets require a 120V power source to operate the small fractional horsepower pump. Typical flush volumes are between 1 and 1.3 gallons per flush and dual-flush models are also available.
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High efficiency toilets save water that would otherwise be wasted, not only reducing your utility bill, but also the amount of available fresh water used.
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Dual-flush and pressure assist toilets are available in many bowl shapes, designs, and colors. Units are styled and installed similarly to other toilets, so plumbers are able to integrate them into designs with the same ease as standard models.
Typically, high efficiency toilets are only available as a complete unit. Despite the fact that many models look just like standard (1.6 gallon flush) toilets, parts cannot successfully be retrofitted into the tank of another model.
Standard toilets range in cost from $100 to well over $1,000. HETs are available in the same range.
High Efficiency Toilets are designed to accomplish a flush with an average of 20 percent less water use than 1.6 gallon models. That translates into a measurable savings for households on metered water supplies. Some of the savings realized by using less water will be spent on electricity if power assist HETs are used.
Building codes require all toilets to be tested and certified by a third party, like International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). In addition, the EPA requires that all new toilets (manufactured after 1994) flush with 1.6 gallons or less. HET compliance will be part of the third-party attestation. No entity governs or promulgates flush performance standards.
None at this time.
Installation is typically the same for HETs as it is for standard toilets.
Toilets will carry warranties from one to 10 years, depending on the manufacturer.
HETs save 20 percent of the water used by standard 1.6 gallon flush toilets. In metered water supply areas this will translate into a tangible savings. Water authorities in climates where water is scarce, like some western states, may offer rebates for installing HETs
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