Ever since government regulations took effect in the early 1990’s low flow toilets have suffered from the misconception that they do not perform well, cause problems with plumbing systems, and are too expensive. The reality is that modern low flow toilets have excellent performance, meet all national plumbing standards, and are inexpensive to buy. Your local plumber can help you choose a great low flow toilet and handle the installation and any other bathroom repairs.
The misconceptions about low flow toilets are based on the toilets sold in the early 1990’s and unfortunately persist to this day. Toilets sold in the U.S. prior to 1994 were designed to use 3.4 gallons of water or more per flush. When government regulations took effect in 1994 limiting the amount of water used per flush to a maximum of 1.6 gallons, many toilet manufacturers simply reduced the amount of water used per flush in existing toilet designs which understandably resulted in poor flushing performance, clogged toilets, and other problems.
However, in response to complaints from consumers, toilet manufacturers have long since redesigned their products to greatly improve performance while 1.6 gallons of water per flush or less. Some high efficiency toilets use less than 1.3 gallons per flush without sacrificing performance.
In addition, experience has shown that modern low flow toilets do not lead to clogged plumbing or other issues. Any toilet will clog if used improperly, but low flow toilets do not clog any more frequently than older standard toilets.
Finally, low flow toilets are available in a wide range of prices and styles to fit any budget. Starting at less than $100, low flow toilets are very affordable and when you factor in the water savings, a low flow toilet can pay for itself in just a few years.
