If you’re in the market for a new toilet, brace yourself for an overwhelming number of options. Today’s toilets have evolved. They’re so much more than simple ceramic fixtures with a basic flushing mechanism. To help narrow down your choices, we’re highlighting three types of toilets that represent a good cross-section, from high-tech to water-wise.
Tankless Toilets
If you have a cramped water closet, every square inch of floor space is valuable real estate. That’s one reason why you might consider upgrading to a tankless toilet.
As the name implies, this commode does not have a bulky reservoir. Rather, it’s installed flush — sorry — against the wall, freeing up space. But this type of toilet has more going for it than the absence of a tank. Tankless toilets aren’t encumbered by the floats, valves, and flappers, which means fewer parts to maintain. They also fill up faster, use less water, and leak less.
You can also install a tankless toilet at any height for custom comfort.
Smart Toilets
From cars to toothbrushes, everything is “smart” these days. It was only a matter of time before the toilet got educated, as well. Smart toilets sense when you’re finished with our business to flush automatically. In addition to touchless flushing, some models feature overflow protection, preventing you from flushing if there’s a clog. How smart is that?
Other sophisticated features include:
- Self-cleaning/deodorizing
- Alerts when there is a leak
- Heated seating
- Nightlight
- Massaging bidet wash
Of course, you’ll pay a premium for this kind of luxury. Costs range from several hundred dollars to more than a grand for a high-tech toilet.
Dual Flush Toilets
The dual-flush toilet isn’t exactly new. It’s has been around since the 1980s, but it remains a smart choice compared to your conventional john.
A dual-flush toilet has two flushing modes — one for solids and another for liquids. The liquid waste button performs a soft flush, using as little as 0.8 gallons of water. The solid waste button will use about twice the amount.
The dual-flush system saves nearly 70 percent more water compared to toilets that can’t differentiate between liquid and solid waste.
Bottom line: Whether you spring for a smart toilet with all the bells and whistles, upgrade to a dual-flush model, or even a comparatively basic WaterSense toilet, you’ll be doing yourself and the environment a huge favor. Conventional toilets, especially those made in the 1980s, use up to 7 gallons per flush, which is tremendously wasteful. Water conservation starts with your toilet.
For all of your plumbing needs, contact Courtesy Plumbing at (626) 774-7167.
