The water savings are real, especially if you’ve got a few people in the house. A little hassle now and then seems worth it for the long-term savings and lower environmental impact.
I get what you’re saying about the savings, but I’m curious—how long did it actually take before you noticed a difference on your water bill? I’ve looked at some of the numbers, and it seems like the payback period can really vary depending on how much your water costs locally.
Also, did you notice any issues with flushing power? I’ve heard mixed things about some models needing a second flush more often, which kind of defeats the purpose. I’m all for saving money and water, but if I have to flush twice half the time, is it really worth it? Just trying to figure out if the upfront cost and possible quirks balance out in the end.
if I have to flush twice half the time, is it really worth it?
That’s honestly my main gripe with some of the cheaper low-flow models. I’ve tried a couple at rentals that just didn’t cut it—ended up flushing twice more often than not. But when I put in a decent dual-flush toilet at home, it worked way better. Noticed a drop on the water bill after a couple months, but yeah, if your water rates are low, the payback’s slower. The upfront cost only makes sense if you pick a model that actually does its job.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
Honestly, I was pretty skeptical about these water-saving toilets when we started building. My wife was all for it, but I kept picturing those old ones at my grandma’s place—half the time you’d end up with a “surprise” that didn’t go anywhere and have to flush again. Felt like a step backwards.
But after moving in and living with one for a while, I’ve changed my tune a bit. We went for a mid-range model, not the cheapest but nowhere near the high-end stuff, and it’s been decent. I’d say maybe once every couple weeks I have to double-flush, usually if someone goes overboard with TP (kids, you know how it is). For the most part, though, it works as advertised.
The water bill did drop, but not by a huge amount—maybe enough to cover a pizza night here and there. Still, it adds up over time. What surprised me more was how much quieter this thing is compared to our old one. Didn’t expect that at all.
I get the frustration if you’ve only experienced the bargain-bin models. Those can be really hit or miss... sometimes more miss. But if you’re willing to spend just a little more upfront, there are some out there that actually do their job and don’t make you regret every flush.
It’s not a magic solution or anything, but I wouldn’t go back to the old ones now. Just make sure to do your homework before picking one—there’s a lot of marketing fluff out there and not all “eco” models are created equal. And yeah, if your water rates are low, it’s not going to pay for itself overnight. But for peace of mind (and fewer plumber visits), I’d say it’s worth considering.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
But if you’re willing to spend just a little more upfront, there are some out there that actually do their job and don’t make you regret every flush.
That’s been my experience too—there’s a big difference between the budget models and the ones that cost a bit more. I did a lot of research before picking ours, mostly because I didn’t want to deal with constant clogs or unhappy family members. Ended up going with a dual-flush model, which gives a bit more flexibility depending on the “situation.” It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely better than the older low-flow toilets I remember from the ‘90s.
One thing I’ve wondered about is long-term durability. Has anyone noticed issues with the internal mechanisms wearing out faster on these newer designs? I’ve heard mixed things—some say the parts are more finicky, others haven’t had any trouble. Curious if that’s just down to brand or if it’s something to watch for across the board.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
We just moved into our first place and went all-in on the eco-friendly vibe, including a fancy dual-flush. I’ll admit, I was nervous about it being “delicate,” but so far, no weird breakdowns. That said, the flush buttons do feel a bit... plasticky? Time will tell if they hold up.