Part of going green means preserving water, and one of the biggest areas of your home where you can save water is the bathroom. Start by using aerators on your sink faucets and specialized shower heads to lower water use. As for your toilet, you may have heard about low-flow and ultra-low-flow fixtures. When installed, these fixtures can be a big part of your water savings.

Low-Flow Toilets
In 1992, a national law mandated that new toilets use 1.6 gallons of water or less per flush. However, while many new toilets use this amount of water, toilets created before 1992 can use up to seven gallons per flush. That adds up every day, especially if you have a large family.

Low-flow toilets use 1.6 gallons or less every time they are flushed. Some are even augmented by a pressure assist system that uses air to increase the force of the flush without adding any water. These are more typical in commercial locations, while gravity-assisted low-flow toilets are common in residential areas. According to the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, changing from a toilet built before 1992 to a low-flow toilet can help cut water use in the bathroom by up to 50%.

Ultra-Low-Flow Toilets
Ultra-low-flow toilets use even less water than low-flow toilets and often offer a dual-flush option. Liquid waste can be flushed away with as little as 0.8 gallons, while solids are removed with either 1.6 or 1.28 gallons, depending on the model.

Your professional plumber can help you determine what type of low-flow toilet is right for your home. Families with a lot of kids can benefit from dual-flush models, while other homeowners may find a simple 1.6 gallon low-flow toilet is fine for their needs.

You can expect to see savings when you select a low-flow toilet. Our plumbers can help you select the right toilet, and then install the toilet for you.