Selecting a toilet can be intimidating with the many different options available today. Flushing capacity is just one feature to pay attention to when shopping for a new commode – here’s why.
What Is Flushing Capacity?
A toilet’s flushing capacity refers to the volume of water used for each flush. This figure is measured in gallons per flush (GPF) and varies greatly between toilet models. Flushing capacity is important for two reasons.
One, the cost of water adds up over time and a toilet with a high GPF can cause your utility bills to skyrocket. Two, you need enough water to flush your toilet effectively and keep it from getting clogged. Finding this balance can sometimes be difficult, especially if you’re new to shopping for toilets.
Old vs. New Toilets
Older toilets tend to use much more water per flush than new toilets. Prior to 1980, the average toilet used between 5 and 8 gallons of water for every flush. Between 1980 and 1992, the volume of water toilets needed to flush was nearly halved to about 2.5 to 3.6 gallons.
This was significantly less than the amount of water used by much older models, and in 1992, toilet manufacturing standards were changed once again. Toilets could now use just 1.6 gallons of water per flush, which is a mere fraction of what pre-1980 toilets used.
High-Flow vs. Low-Flow Toilets
Low-flow toilets are specifically designed to use the least amount of water possible to flush waste and can use as little as 0.8 to 1.28 gallons for each flush. Homeowners can save as much as 4,000 gallons of water per year when they use one or more low-flow toilets.
While the reduced flushing capacity in a low-flow toilet increases the risk of clogging, newer low-flow models are less susceptible to getting clogged than older low-flow models due to the differences in the bowl and tank design.
Today’s high-flow toilets only reach the current EPA standard of 1.6 gallons. Finding a higher flow toilet is next to impossible since it’s illegal to own toilets with a flushing capacity over 1.6 GPF. While you can purchase one from overseas, there is a low risk of getting caught and being fined and forced to replace your toilets anyways.
How to Choose the Right Toilet
Replacing your toilet can be a frustrating process with so many options currently on the market to suit a wide variety of different consumer needs. ToiletKing℠ is dedicated to helping homeowners select and install their new toilets quickly and easily with as little hassle as possible.
We include the dismantling of your old toilet, the installation of a new one, and we will haul away and dispose of your old toilet. Our team takes the difficulty out of toilet replacement so you can focus on what matters more to you. Contact us today to learn more.