Low-Flow vs. Dual-Flush Toilets

If you haven’t purchased a new toilet in the past 30 years, you may be surprised at the types of toilets that are being sold. In the past, you didn’t have much choice as to how many gallons of water were used per flush, which was typically 7 gallons. Passed in 1992, the Federal Energy Policy Act has required that new toilets sold in the United States use no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush.

Saving water is always a great idea both for the environment and your wallet. However, consumers were not too happy at first with their new toilets because they were not as efficient at flushing away waste as their older ones were. But now, almost 30 years later, with newer designs and flushing mechanisms, you probably couldn’t tell the difference between a 7-gallon toilet and a 1.6-gallon toilet. But you would definitely see a difference of about $100 in your water bill between the two!

An informed customer is a happier customer. If it’s time to replace your toilet in Tampa, or you want to save some money on your water bill, All American Home Services would like to explain the difference between today’s most popular types of toilets, the low flow and the dual flush.

All American Home Services can help you choose the right toilet for your Tampa home. Call us at 813-486-4038 to schedule an appointment.

What Is a Low-Flow Toilet?

The minimum efficiency that you can find available with toilets is the low-flow toilet. Today’s low-flow toilets meet the 1.6-gallon water usage as required by the Federal Energy Policy Act. However, they are more effective than the models that were rolled out after the law took effect. They have smaller tanks than their predecessors because they use much less water to flush. By installing a low-flow toilet, the average single-family household can expect to see their water usage drop by almost 22%.

What Is a Dual-Flush Toilet?

Invented in Australia, the dual-flush toilet is more of a higher efficiency/low-flow toilet hybrid. They are designed to be more water-efficient. The flush button located at the top of the tank is sectioned into two parts. The first button is intended for use when flushing liquid waste only. This flush option uses only 0.8 gallons per flush. The second and slightly larger half button is used to flush solid waste and utilizes the 1.6 gallons of water that is allowed under the Federal Energy Policy Act. When used correctly, the average family using a dual-flush toilet will flush 40% less water down the toilet than someone using a low-flow toilet.

Which Toilet Is Best for Your Home?

Both low-flow and dual-flush toilets will help conserve water and reduce your water bill. Both are reasonably priced, and sometimes it just comes down to what your preference is. While it takes a little while to get used to using a dual-flush toilet, it will save more water over the long run than a low flow will. And of course, you may have to deal with teaching the kids how to use it properly for the best water savings.

Need a new toilet installed in Tampa? Call All American Home Services at 813-486-4038.

Toilet Services Offered by All American Home Services

In the Tampa area, All American Home Services has you covered when it comes to all the various things that could go wrong with your home’s toilet. In addition to toilet replacement, we also offer services for such issues as:

• Flush problems
• Constant toilet clogs
• Toilet leaks
• Rusty components
• Drain vent issues
• Strange smells coming from your toilet (for no apparent reason!)

Whether it is time to replace your Tampa home’s toilet or you need toilet repair, All American Home Services is ready to help. Our family-owned company offers 24/7 emergency service. Call us at 813-486-4038.