Though they still look pretty much the same, toilets have come a long way. Before the 1950s,
toilets used approximately seven gallons for each flush. By the end of the 1960s, toilets flushed with
only 5.5 gallons. The 1980s brought gallons-per-flush (gpf) rates down to 3.5. Today, spurred by
water-conservation movements, toilets are flushing with only 1.6 gallons of water. In fact, in 1994,
the National Energy Policy Act (H.R. 776) went into effect mandating a rate of 1.6 gpf for the entire
Manufacturers, in an attempt to produce toilets compliant with the new legal standards, tweaked
the valves and floats in the tank to reduce water usage. Unfortunately, manufacturers didn't make
changes to the tank or bowl, which left consumers with frequently clogged toilets and bowls that
didn't clear out properly. Two or more flushes per use were often needed in order to get the bowl to
empty completely. All of this increased flushing cancelled out the primary intention of low-flow
toilets -- water conservation.
Engineers began to change the trap diameter and shape in an attempt to improve the performance
of 1.6-gpf toilets. They quickly found that enlarging the trap reduced siphonic pull, resulting in an
inefficiently flushed toilet. To counter this reduced siphoning power, designers began manipulating
the trap's curve, finding that minimally curved traps maximize the water's pull.
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include models with a higher seat (as much as 17 inches off the floor), which makes it easier to get
on and off. Elongated bowls are also more popular, with many models that are compliant with
standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Dual-flush toilets have been in Europe and Australia for years, but are now gaining in popularity in
the U.S. Dual-flush toilets let you choose between a 1-gallon (or less) flush for liquid waste and a
1.6-gallon flush for solid waste. With recent home-improvement trends and high home-sale prices,
there's a greater interest in better-looking toilets. As a result, toilets have received a face-lift. Not
only have the color choices been expanded to include earth tones, but also designer toilets are now
available in cherry, mahogany, leather, stainless steel, 1950’s powder blue, pink and even toilets
designed to look like hatboxes.
Types of toilets
Toilets consume 30% to 40% of the total water used in homes, making them the biggest water
users. Replacing an older 3.5-gallon toilet with a 1.6-gallon toilet could save an average of two
gallons-per-flush, totaling a household savings of 12,000 gallons of water per year. Dual-flush 1.6-
gpf toilets reduce water consumption by an additional 30%.
You might want to check with your local utility company; many municipalities offer rebates that can
defray the cost of a new, more efficient toilet. City municipalities, which have installed 1.6-gpf
toilets, report reduced total water demand and reduced wastewater flow of 15% to 20%, saving
taxpayers millions of dollars per year.
Toilets come in several main types: Pressure-assist, power-assist, vacuum-assist and
gravity. Be sure to compare like categories when you are shopping. Otherwise, you end up
comparing apples to oranges. In general, reviews say to expect to pay between $250 and $350 for
a good toilet.
Gravity toilets: This is the most familiar type of toilet. Here, water drops from the tank into the
bowl and trap, moving waste down the drain. Gravity does all the work, which makes them a good
choice for homes that don't get great water pressure (as low as 10 pounds per square inch should be
fine). Gravity toilets have a proven design and appeal to those who want a quiet flush. Since there's
not much fancy technology inside the tank, repairs are easier. However, lower-priced models don't
typically fare as well in testing. The best gravity toilets can cost as much as generally better
pressure-assist toilets. Prices range from about $150 to $500.
Pressure-assist toilets: These are the most powerful toilets, best suited for large families or heavy
use. The toilet's water supply provides the pressure to compress air within a sealed plastic reservoir
inside the tank. When the incoming water reaches the fill line, the tank is pressurized and ready for
the next flush. During flushing, the air under pressure creates a loud "whoosh" as water blasts into
the bowl; this noise can startle small children and people who like to flush while seated. Up to 80%
of the flush water is used to purge the bowl, making for a very efficient flush. These toilets work
great as long as the household water pressure is at least 25 pounds per square inch (psi). Pressure-
assist toilets can solve problems in homes with older plumbing systems where gravity-fed 1.6-gpf
toilets just aren't strong enough to pull waste through the older pipes. Prices generally range from
$225 to $400. Pressure-assist toilets are generally better than gravity toilets, but their more
complicated inner workings make them harder to repair.
Vacuum-assist toilets: In these toilets, the tank houses a vacuum chamber that works like a siphon
to pull air out of the trap below the bowl so that it can quickly fill with water to clear waste. These
toilets, like power-assist models, work well in close quarters or bathrooms located near bedrooms,
where you'd want a quiet toilet. Vacuum-assist toilets typically have less power than pressure-assist
toilets, and are not as widely manufactured as other toilet types, so there are fewer choices. In
general, these toilets range in price from $200 to $350. In reviews, experts recommend pressure-
assist toilets over vacuum toilets.
Power-assist toilets: Power-assist toilets plug into a standard GFCI outlet and use electricity to
power a pump that pushes water into the toilet bowl. These quiet operators work well in close
quarters or bathrooms located near bedrooms. A self-closing seat, which may be added to any toilet
for about $50, eliminates the loud clanking associated with a toilet seat dropping on porcelain. This
type of toilet is expensive; prices start at about $900.
In home-improvement stores, you'll see familiar-looking two-piece toilets alongside newer one-
piece toilets. The one-piece models incorporate the tank, bowl and seat into one piece of hardware.
A one-piece toilet is easier to clean, doesn’t leak between the bowl and tank, and is typically more
expensive than a two-piece toilet. The tank and bowl are separate in two-piece toilets, and the
toilet seat is usually not included with the bowl. Two-piece toilets are usually less expensive than
one-piece toilets, but they're a little harder to clean.
The vast majority of toilets still mount on the floor over a trap that leads to the sewer main. But you
can also find wall-mounted toilets, which require a special plumbing setup. Wall-mounted toilets are
more expensive, generally over $500. A wall-mounted toilet allows for easier floor cleaning.
Toilet bowls are available in two basic shapes -- round and elongated. Round bowls save space;
elongated bowls are more oval in shape, and are a bit more comfortable as well. Elongated bowls
are usually 2" longer than round bowls. With their larger water surface, elongated bowls are
recommended by the ADA for seniors or those with disabilities.
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