You may or may not be using at least 3.5 gallons of water every time you flush your toilet. To help reduce wasting water, you can adopt a dual flush toilet system.
Dual flush toilets are designed to conserve water. So with this modern toilet, you are not simply preserving the environment, but you'll also be saving a few bucks in your bank account. So today, we'll tell you everything you need to know about dual flush toilets. This will include determining:
- What are dual flush toilets
- The pros of using a dual flush toilet
- The cons of using a dual flush toilet
- The different types of dual flush toilets
- The best dual flush toilets in the market today
- A dual flush toilet buying guide
Let's dive in:
Defining Dual Flush Toilets
An average person will flush 20 gallons of water every day. Nonetheless, this amount can go drastically down if you have a dual flush toilet. It was designed to be a low flush toilet that addresses using a lot of water with every flush.
Therefore, where you were using 3.5 gallons of water in every flush, you now only use 1.6 gallons of water. The toilet works by providing two different flush options: one is for liquids, and the other is for solids. This means that you'll only use the needed amount of water every time you go.
The Pros Of Using A Dual Flush
1. It Saves Water
Did you know that one residential household can save up to 4000 gallons of water every year? This is why the dual flush toilets, as mentioned, were created to conserve water. The directive complies with the National Energy Policy Act that requires every toilet to use no more than 1.6 gallons of water for every flush.
By and large, the lower volume of this toilet design uses not more than 1.1 gallons of water for every flush. Besides, the name given to the toilet is derived from the mere fact that the toilet features these two flush volumes.
If you have a big family or visit the toilet often, odds are that you are using a lot of water every day with toilet top flush.
2. It Saves Money
As a consequence of saving water, you are bound to save some money if you use the dual flush toilet. Think about it; your water is billed according to the liters you spend either monthly or annually. Therefore, adding a dual flush toilet to your set shallow baths and shorter shower routine will save you some pennies.
Moreover, in most states, you'll get a rebate if you buy a flush toilet with an approved HET that also has a WaterSense label. Common manufacturers like the Caroma, Toto, and American Standard will have the WaterSense label on their toilets.
Seeing this label on your toilet indicates that you are making a green purchase, which is also an efficient performer. The best part about buying these toilets is that you can get them from a range of prices. Therefore, you can select the one that fits your budget or lifestyle preferences.
3. They Give A Powerful Flush
A dual flush toilet is also highly efficient. For instance, the high efficiency toilets are designed to flush up to 350 grams of waste. This toilet is so efficient in flushing so much that many reviewers have found no need to use the low flush option.
4. They Rarely Clog
Because you can trust your flush toilet to provide a powerful flush, then you can rest easy knowing that you'll have minimal to almost no chance of clogging your toilet. Additionally, many of these toilets are built to use gravity to remove the waste through a large trapway. Also, the size of the trapway is designed to reduce any clogging incidences.
5. They Have An Excellent
Appeal Most flush toilet designs are modern. Hence, they carry a sleek look that can fit in any bathroom décor and style. Additionally, they come in a range of colors and styles that can accommodate individual preferences.
The Cons Of Using A Flush Toilet
1. You Might Need A Professional Installer
If you are a DIY enthusiast, it might be frustrating for you to realize that you need a professional installer to fix your toilet. It is challenging to install some of the dual toilet models in the market. Therefore, check the ease of installation before you purchase your new toilet.
2. You Need To Get
Accustomed To The Dual Buttons Most toilet models do not clearly label the high volume and low volume flush buttons. Therefore, it might be a trip when you first start to use the dual flush toilet. But getting a quick introduction to the model is fast and easy.
3. Cleaning Is Harder Than It Is For Traditional Toilet Models
It is easy to leave residue on your bowl if you use the light flush volume option. Therefore, you might need to clean your toilet more often than you would with a traditional design.
The benefits of using the dual flush toilet outweigh the disadvantages. These bathroom toilets will save your money, conserve water, and reduce waste. Therefore, as you plan to remodel your existing toilet, acquaint yourself with the different types available so that you can inform your decision.
The Different Types Of Dual Flush Toilets
Each type of toilet has its advantage. Therefore, consider and compare their functions to determine the best fit for you when going through these different options.
1. The One-Piece Dual Toilet
This design combines the tank and bowl into a single unit. The one-piece toilet model is becoming popular because it has significant benefits. For instance, these toilets are very easy to clean because they are manufactured with fewer nooks and crannies.
They also have a smaller room to allow bacteria and odor-causing germs to hide. Besides, this type of toilet design is much sleeker, and it allows for a better appeal in modern bathroom layout and décor. Another advantage of using this type of toilet design is that the internal components like the fill valves and the flush are very strong. Hence, there is less likelihood of repairs or leaks. This makes the toilet much heavier, costlier, and more challenging to install than its counterparts.
Nonetheless, the fact that they are more durable, manageable, and appealing compensates for the disadvantages.
2. The Two-Piece Dual Toilet
The two-piece toilet consists of a separate bowl and tank pieces. This is more popular than the one-piece design because it is easy to move and repair. Nonetheless, the toilet's internal components can be accessed quickly and are not as sturdy as those in the one-piece model.
The advantage of choosing the two-piece model is that you will get it in various styles and sizes. Therefore, they can accommodate a unique bathroom or other interior designs. Another pro for choosing this type of toilet is that it is much cheaper than the other toilet models.
3. The Wall-Mounted Dual Toilet
Unlike the preceding two types, the wall mounted toilet is mounted on the wall and not on the floor. Generally speaking, the internal components for this toilet are hidden behind the wall. As a result, you get to save on your floor space and bathroom space.
Also, the toilet bowl hangs from the wall, leaving enough space underneath for easy cleaning. The modern floating design is also very appealing to the eyes. And since you have an open space underneath, you get the freedom to customize the area.
However, this type of toilet is much more expensive, difficult to repair, and harder to install.
The Best Dual Flush Toilets In The Market Today
1. The Woodbridge T-0019 Cotton White Toilet
This is by far the best dual flush toilet in the market. It is a single flush toilet that wraps up power and efficiency in one complete package. The toilet has a smooth and sleek finish since the tank is integrated seamlessly into the bowl to give an overall modern finish.
Also, there is a skirted base that seals the trapway. Woodbridge is popular because it is easy to clean and maintain. The straight edges are easy to reach, and the soft closing seat on the toilet enables the quiet flushing mechanism on the toilet.
But don't be fooled by the quiet Dual flush technology; the toilet can remove up to 1000 grams of solid waste in a single flush. Also, you will experience comfort from the elongated bowl, which makes it easy to either sit or stand while you carry on with your business.
2. The WoodBridge Intelligent Toilet
If you want to upgrade your old toilet, the woodBridge intelligent toilet will be the best pick for you. This new construction has many new features, like giving you a choice to use a remote, your hands, or automatic settings to flush the toilet.
You can also choose to flush between a gallon of water or 1.6 gallons of water in every flush. Other upgrade features you'll enjoy with this toilet include a heated seat, integrated deodorizer, night light, and a hygienic bidet.
You can use the smart remote to either activate or disable the water temperature in the bidet feature. By and large, the remote will let you change all the settings you need on the toilet. You also don't have to worry about ADA compliance since the toilet has a comfort height of 16 inches.
This low maintenance smart toilet will make you feel like a king. But the WoodBridge intelligent dual flush toilet is expensive. Nevertheless, it is worth the royal flush you experience.
3. The American Standard Toilet
If you are on a budget and still want a toilet that considers water efficiency, then the American Standard dual flush toilet is your best bet. While it is affordable, it does not compromise performance. You will get two push buttons with this toilet.
Designed to save water, the first button uses 0.92 gallons of water to flush, and the other uses 1.28. The toilet also has a powerful siphon jet that will flush everything in your toilet. However, cleaning the toilet might be challenging.
But, the American Standard toilet has incorporated porcelain to their EverClean surface that repels mold, stains, and germs. Additionally, the device has a PowerWash rim toilet technology feature that cleans the bowl thoroughly after every flush.
One other disadvantage to consider when purchasing this toilet is that you'll buy the seat separately.
4. The Zurn White WaterSense Toilet
As far as single flush toilets go, the Zurn toilet is worth considering. This conventional toilet has a jet-powered siphon flush that removes all the waste from your toilet. The flush is also very quiet, making it a comfort to use when you need some privacy.
However, the toilet uses 1.1 gallons of water to flush fluids, which is higher than its counterparts. Therefore, it does not conserve the same water supply other dual flush toilets do. Nonetheless, it uses 1.6 gallons of water for solid waste.
Therefore, you will get a good balance between conservancy and efficiency with this toilet.
5. The Geberit Elongated Toilet
This is the perfect toilet for a small bathroom because it is designed to occupy less space since it is a wall-mount toilet. The dual flush toilet will conserve your water as well. Hence, you have the comfort of an elongated toilet without giving up too much of your bathroom space.
The best part about using this toilet is that it allows for height adjustment between 45.5 to 55 inches. This means you can use the toilet while it's close to the ground or when it's at the ADA compliant height.
Nevertheless, the purchase and installation cost for this toilet is high. The installation is also challenging. But, the toilet seeks minimal maintenance, and since it conserves water, it will save you some money in the future.
And don't forget about the room the toilet leaves for you to move around your bathroom.
6. The TOTO Aquia One-Piece Flush Toilet
If you are one of the people who hate washing toilets, get this low maintenance dual flush option. One-piece toilets are indeed more accessible to clean than their two-piece counterparts. But the TOTO Aqua takes it to another level.
For instance, the trapway is skirted, which means you'll have less exposure to the grime attracting contours. Also, the manufacturers put Toto's proprietary CEFIONTECT glazing. This is a toilet technology that prevents germs, debris, and mold from growing on the surface of your toilet.
Additionally, the Tornado Flush works like a toilet brush: it practically cleans the toilet itself comprehensively. But you'll spend a little more when buying this toilet. But the little maintenance it requires is worth the purchase.
7. KOHLER Wellworth Water Sense Toilet
If your biggest concern is clogging, then the KOHLER toilet takes the fears away. And it does the job seamlessly without compromising on water conservation. This dual flush toilet has a class 5 flushing system that works in tandem with a two and an eighth-inch trapway to ensure you'll have no clogging.
The trapway works because of its specially glazed design made to ensure nothing sticks to the toilet. Additionally, the flushing mechanism on this toilet is much more aggressive and faster. Therefore, it ensures that any waste material has passed through the toilet drain successfully.
The downside to this toilet is that it prioritizes flushing water down the drain over rinsing the toilet bowl. This means that you are likely to find residue on your toilet after you flush. Moreover, the toilet does not include the seat during purchase.
So you'll spend a few extra bucks for the seat. Nonetheless, the peace of mind you'll get from having zero clogs is worth the cost.
8. Toto Neorest 700H
This toilet gives you a perfect blend of having an equally luxurious and environmentally friendly device. It houses the latest technology and uses less water than other toilets without compromising on flush efficiency.
The Toto Neorest also flushes the toilet automatically. The best feature of this toilet is that it houses superior technology like the ewater. Therefore, any water that enters the toilet tank is transformed into a safe compound with household bleach properties.
As a result, any time you flush water, the water cleans the toilet as well. The best part about this toilet is that the electrolyzed water converts back to normal water after 2 hours. As a result, any chemicals that were added to the environment by the water are removed.
You also don't have to worry about dirt sticking to your toilet because the Toto Neorest toilet has a non-porous glaze that makes it hard for any waste to stick to the toilet surface. So, if you've been looking for a toilet that cleans itself, this is your holy grail.
Other features you will enjoy from this toilet include a heated seat, an adjustable water flow system, and a comfortable feel. However, it is expensive than your average dual flush toilets.
9. CO-Z Siphonic Flush Toilet
If you have an elegant décor in your bathroom, this stylish dual flush toilet is the best fit for your home. It is also affordable; hence you won't have to break your bank. Cleaning this toilet is also easy since it comes with a high-density glazed coat that reduces residue and bacteria proliferation.
You will also have tiny stains on your toilet bowl. Concerning the toilet tank, it refills in 20 seconds and stays at a 2.8-inch water level that prevents the emission of odor from bacteria in the toilet. Moreover, the toilet houses siphonic technology that completes a full flush in 5 seconds.
This ensures that most of the water is saved in the tank. And since the tank is small in size, it can fit in your bathroom space comfortably without compromising on comfort. However, the toilet is difficult to install.
A Dual Flush Toilet Buying Guide
These are the things beyond the different dual toilet types that you should consider before making your purchase.
1. The Material
The first thing you should look at when purchasing your dual flush toilet is the material used. Usually, toilets are made from two materials: plastic and porcelain. The most common type is porcelain because it is inexpensive to produce and it holds a watertight seal.
Porcelain is also very strong. Plastic is uncommon because manufacturing plastic toilets of high quality is difficult. A highly resilient plastic material often makes smart toilets because it is challenging to include the bells and whistles into porcelain.
You'll also find that smart toilets are more expensive because of the manufacturing difficulty and the added features like heated seats, night lights, and automatic flushing.
2. The Flush Mechanism
The unique nature of the dual flush toilet is encompassed in the flushing mechanism. In most traditional toilets, you only get one full flush for both liquid and solid waste. But the dual flush is different in that it provides a flush option for both types of waste.
Also, the liquid half flush uses about half the amount of water you use on solid waste. The water, in this case, is regulated by a special flush valve that determines the amount of water leaving the tank. The valve often has special components designed specially to release the different water volumes.
This design ensures that you observe water conservation, hence saving gallons of water each year.
3. The Water Usage
The average person flushes 30 percent of your household water. This makes your toilet a primary source of your home water consumption. And since a healthy person will dispose of liquid waste about four times more than they would solid waste, they are using at least twice the amount of water needed to remove waste without a dual flush system.
Therefore, you are sure that you are not wasting any extra water by getting a dual flush toilet. If and when you only use 1.0 gallons of water to flush fluids, you end up saving at least 67 percent more water. Besides, this can amount to about 20 percent of your water bill.
4. The Shape And Size
You will find either elongated or round-shaped bowls. Round toilets are more compact by at least 1 to 3 inches. They are also more affordable than their elongated toilets. Also, since this is a compact toilet, it is perfect for small bathrooms.
They also only take up a small bathroom portion of your floor space. Another advantage of using this type of bowl is that it makes it easier to adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Guidelines: the toilet must have at least 2 inches of floor space in front.
On the other hand, the advantage of having an elongated bowl is that it is much more comfortable than the round bowls. That said, they are more popular even though they are slightly more expensive. But you need a bathroom with some extra length space.
5. The Comfort
We've mentioned that the elongated bowl-shaped toilets are more comfortable than their round counterparts. Nonetheless, it would help if you considered the height of the toilet you buy. The standard height between the floor and the toilet seat rim for most toilets is 14.5 inches.
This is the perfect height for children and slightly short or average height individuals. But if you have a disability, limited mobility, or are particularly tall, you should consider a taller toilet. The best height, in this case, would range between 17 and 19 inches.
This comfort height, according to the ADA standard, is designed for tall individuals. Individuals with limited mobility, those who cannot bend or squat, also use this type of comfort height. The comfort height got its name because it is perfect for people who find it challenging to stand low.
6. The Style
Numerous styles exist to accommodate your taste and preference. For instance, you will get contemporary, transitional, modern, and traditionally styled dual flush toilets. Don't forget the different types of dual flush toilets that also add to the variety.
You should keep in mind that the style you pick will affect the appearance of your bathroom. For instance, one-piece toilets make the bathroom look sleek. Hence, they are perfect for modern and contemporary homes.
The wall-mount toilets also fit contemporary and modern homes because of their sleek and clean-shaped design. On the other hand, two-piece toilets offer more design choices. Hence, they will complete any interior design preference you have in your home.
Concerning colors, you will get most toilets in the typical white. But, you can have different shades and colors depending on the brand you choose. You can also get different shades of off-white and white hues. There are additional antique and glossier finishes available.
7. The Budget
What is your price range? Before you go shopping for your next toilet, you have to decide how much you want to spend. There are different types and brands of toilets in the market. Usually, the price ranges between 200 and 800 dollars.
Therefore, set a price and stick to it. Also, expect the most expensive toilets to carry more features. Don't forget to consider the installation cost since you might need a professional for most of these toilets.
Conclusion
Now that you have all the information you need to purchase a dual flush toilet don't be shy to adopt one for your bathroom. Remember, by conserving water, you are also making savings in your bank account. Therefore, even though a renovation might cost you a good buck, you will save plenty in the future.
