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What the Flush? Stop Money from Going Down the Toilet

By Author Tim Caldwell

Posted on Last updated:

Approximately 47% of H2O consumption in U.S. homes takes place in the bathroom. A large portion of the water used (about 24%) in bathrooms is flushed down the toilet daily. There are a variety of different toilets that can be installed that can save you money as well as save the environment.

Toilet Water Use :

The single best thing you can do to improve toilet efficiency is to replace an old inefficient toilet with a new toilet.

In this modern age, waterless and composting toilets have come a long way. Here are some toilets that can be installed in your home to cut back on costs and prevent waste from seeping into waterways.

  • High Efficiency Toilets (HET). A high efficiency toilet uses about 1.28 gallons (or less) of water per flush. Traditional toilets use approximately 1.6 gallons water and converting to a high efficient model will save water and money.
  • Composting Toilets. A composting toilet works similar to the compost piles many gardeners utilize in their back yard. Fungi and microbes will attack and break down human waste into organic soil components (humus). The humus can then be used to fertilize plants or to grow food. It is imperative that human waste is broken down before using to grow food or plants since non-composted waste is hazardous.
  • Urine Diverting Toilets. A urine diverting toilet has two receptacles and can either be flushed with or without water. Urine will be directed away from the solid waste which will be composted.

If replacing your toilet isn’t an option, at least make sure that your toilet isn’t leaking and replace the flapper if necessary.

During a drought emergency you could be asked to reduce your water use substantially. Toilet use is typically the largest category of indoor water use and there is substantial room for water savings. Here are some tips for maximizing toilet use efficiency.

  • Regularly check for and repair toilet leaks.
  • Avoid using caustic toilet bowl cleaners such as toilet tank tablets. These products alter the pH of water in your toilet tank and damage plastic and rubber toilet parts causing severe leaks.
  • Flush less frequently. During drought emergencies some families adopt variations of the adage, “if it’s yellow let it mellow and if it’s brown flush it down.”

Toilets should be inspected on a regular basis for leaks and any leak, no matter how small, should be repaired immediately. If leaks continue to be a problem, you may want to consider replacing your old toilet.

Before selecting a toilet to conserve water and save money in your home, you should consult a professional so you can make an informed decision. Not only can they discuss which option will work best for your needs, they can also assist in installing the toilet you select.

Tim Caldwell
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