Your toilet: an often underappreciated but definitely vital part of your home’s plumbing system.
Upgrading your toilet can have benefits beyond a new look—it could bring home serious savings too. If your toilet is not low-flow, a new upgrade could pay for itself in less time than you think.
But should you upgrade? And how much could you save with a new toilet? Let’s take a look.
Should you upgrade your toilet?
The decision to upgrade your toilet depends on a few factors.
First, consider the age of your toilet. If it was installed prior to 1994, you’re looking at serious water savings. Toilets made between 1980 and 1994 averaged 3.5 gallons per flush, and toilets made prior to the 1980s used even more water per flush. Today, all toilets meet a 1.6 gallons-per-flush federal standard. A number of models even hit 1.28 gallons per flush or, in the case of ultra-high efficiency toilets, less than 1 gallon per flush, making them even more efficient.
If your toilet was installed between 1994 and around 2000, it might be a candidate for upgrade too. Some early low-flow models require more than one flush to empty the bowl, negating any water savings from the low-flow design.
Second, check if your toilet is leaking. Replacing a leaky toilet can save you up to ten perent on your water bills, not to mention saving you from future issues as well.
How much can you save with a toilet upgrade?
Fun fact: according to the EPA, your toilet uses the most water of anything in your home. That’s right: more than your shower, dishwasher, or anything else. That’s why an upgrade to a newer, more water efficient toilet could equal big savings.
By replacing your old toilet with a new, low-flow toilet that uses anywhere from 1.28 to 1.6 gallons of water per flush, you could save about $230 a year over that pre-1980s toilet, and about $140 per year when replacing a toilet manufactured between 1980 and 1994. With the cost of most new toilets below $300, you’ll pay for that new purchase in water savings alone in just one or two years.
The EPA also provides a handy tool to calculate your usage and savings based on your toilet model.
Even better, replacing an old toilet with a high-efficiency toilet may also get you a rebate as well.
Benefits of a New Toilet
Beyond the cost savings, you’ll see a number of benefits to installing a new, water efficient toilet in your home. Here’s why:
- You’ll conserve water
- You can choose from a large number of colors, styles, and other options
- Get peace of mind with a toilet that’s easy to maintain
- A new toilet may not be as expensive as you think
- Your new, efficient toilet can be installed in the same footprint as your older model
Toilet Installation in South Jersey
While a new toilet could save you money, you’ll want to be sure it’s installed properly. The experienced plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Pleasantville can quickly install your new toilet the right way, and they’ll even take away the old one. A professional plumber can also help you chose the toilet that’s right for you, taking all the guesswork out of your decision. Contact the professional plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Pleasantville today to get your toilet upgraded.