Some of the most common and undetected water waste in a home comes from the toilet. Sometimes we get used to the constant running of an older toilet, or we simply are unaware that older models require a lot more water to flush. If you are looking for some savings on your water bill or just want to cut down on your water usage then you may want to consider replacing the older toilets in your home. Here is why.
Older Toilets are Less Efficient
We have come a long way in toilet technology. In an older home built prior to 1994 and the EPAct coming into force, many toilets required 3.5 to five gallons of water to flush. Homes built during the 1950’s and older with original fixtures could require up to 8 gallons of water! After the EPAct it was required that all new toilets manufactured required no more than 1.6 gallons to flush. This is a drastic decrease in required water. It is estimated that water saving capabilities of the EPAct will save 7.9 billion gallons of water through 2020.
It is estimated that toilet usage in a household accounts for 30% of the water usage in a home. If you are still using older toilets that require more than 1.6 gallons of water to operate, then you could be wasting thousands of gallons a year, not to mention a lot of money.
Replacing the older toilets in your home is a great choice if you are looking to cut back on your consumption and save money on your water bill. If you own investment properties or rental properties where you are responsible for the water bill, you may also want to consider replacing those toilets as well, not only will you save money and water but also make your tenants happy.
Signs Its Time to Replace Your Toilet
- There are cracks in the bowl – if you frequently notice a pool of water around the base it could mean that there is a crack in the bowl.
- The toilet is wobbly – while this could mean a simple tightening down, it could also mean there is damage to the floor underneath which is a more serious problem.
- The toilet is constantly clogged – sometimes things get flushed that shouldn’t that can lead to clogs, but if you find yourself constantly having to unclog your toilet then it could mean there is a mineral buildup that is causing frequent clogs.
- The toilet is constantly needing repairs – if you find yourself constantly repairing the same toilet then it may be time to just replace it. The cost of replacement might even be less than the constant repairs.
Updating the toilets in your home is a great way to update the home and also save a little money on your water bill, especially if your toilets are old and outdated. To learn more about toilet replacement and other plumbing tips check out our other plumbing articles.
