Making The Switch To Water-Saving Toilets: Worth It?
- Not totally convinced the savings always outweigh the hassle. I’ve swapped out a few old-school toilets for the new low-flow ones in my rentals, and honestly, it’s been a mixed bag.
- Sure, water bills dropped a bit, but I’ve had more calls about clogs and “it won’t flush” than ever before. Sometimes you end up using more water with double flushes or plunging than you would’ve with the older models.
- The install is usually straightforward, but I’ve noticed some brands cut corners with flimsy parts—especially on cheaper units. Had a handle snap off after just a couple months. That’s not saving anyone money.
- If you’re set on switching, I’d say don’t just look at gallons per flush—check reviews for reliability and flush power. Some of the pricier models really are better, but I still keep a plunger handy just in case... learned that one the hard way.
- End of the day, it’s not always as simple as “newer is better.” Sometimes those old tanks just work, even if they use more water. Guess it depends what headaches you’re willing to trade for lower bills.
Making the switch to water-saving toilets: Worth it?
I hear you on the clog situation. I’ve had a few projects where we swapped out all the old 3.5-gallon beasts for the newer 1.28s, and yeah, the complaints about weak flushes definitely went up. It’s kind of ironic—save water, but end up with more maintenance calls. I’ve even had a tenant tell me they’d rather pay a higher water bill than deal with a plunger every other week.
On the flip side, when you get a good model, it’s night and day. Some of the higher-end ones actually outperform the old tanks, but you’re paying for it upfront. I guess it comes down to whether you want to gamble on the cheaper units or just bite the bullet and invest in something solid. Personally, I’m still on the fence. Water savings are great, but not if I’m spending my weekends fixing toilets. Maybe there’s a sweet spot with mid-range models, but I haven’t found it yet...
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience in my last two renos. Went with a couple of mid-range dual-flush models (not the priciest, not the cheapest), and honestly, no complaints so far. Maybe it’s just luck or maybe it’s about the install—if the plumbing isn’t lined up right, even the best toilet can become a headache. I’d say don’t write off the mid-tier ones yet... sometimes it’s just about finding the right fit for your space rather than always going top-shelf.
sometimes it’s just about finding the right fit for your space rather than always going top-shelf.
That’s interesting, because I keep hearing horror stories about clogs or double-flushing with the “eco” models. Maybe it really is all about the install and not the price tag. Did you notice any difference in water bills after switching? I’m curious if the savings are actually noticeable or just a drop in the bucket, so to speak.
I keep hearing horror stories about clogs or double-flushing with the “eco” models.
I’ve heard those stories too, but honestly, I think a lot of it comes down to installation and the specific model. In one of my projects, we swapped out all the old toilets for low-flow ones, and yeah, there were a couple of hiccups at first—mostly with the cheaper models. But after switching brands, the issues pretty much disappeared. As for water bills, the drop was more noticeable in multi-unit buildings than single homes. Not massive, but enough that it made a difference over a year.
