MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
Had a similar experience when we renovated our guest suite last year. Went for a sleek, high-end low-flow model—looked amazing, but honestly, it struggled with anything more than a tissue. Ended up swapping it for a pricier Toto, which actually works. Sometimes you really do get what you pay for, especially with plumbing.
- Totally agree about getting what you pay for—cheap low-flow models can be a pain.
- In my experience, the right brand makes all the difference. Some just don’t handle “real life” use.
- Curious if you noticed any change in your water bill after switching? Sometimes the savings aren’t as dramatic as advertised...
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
I’ve swapped out a few in my own place and for clients, and honestly, the water bill savings aren’t always as big as the marketing makes it sound. Sure, you’ll see a drop, but unless you’ve got a big household or a lot of older toilets, it’s not going to cut your bill in half or anything.
One thing I’ve noticed—some of the cheaper models just don’t have the flush power. You end up flushing twice, which kind of defeats the point. The pricier brands (Toto comes to mind) seem to get it right more often, but even then, it’s not magic.
If you’re after savings, I’d say look at your showerheads and laundry too. Toilets help, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle. And yeah, sometimes you just want a toilet that actually works every time... not one that makes you cross your fingers.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
- Totally agree on the savings not being huge unless you’re swapping out a bunch of old toilets. I did one in my rental and the bill barely budged.
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— This! Had a cheap model once that needed two flushes for anything more than tissue. Ended up replacing it.“You end up flushing twice, which kind of defeats the point.”
- Honestly, swapping to low-flow showerheads made a bigger dent in my water use. Laundry too if you’ve got an older washer.
- If you’re on a tight budget, I’d say prioritize where you’ll see the most bang for your buck. Toilets are good, but not always the game changer they’re hyped up to be.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
- I hear you on the double-flush issue—some of those early low-flow models were just not up to the job. If you’re stuck flushing twice, you’re not really saving anything.
- In my experience, newer high-efficiency toilets are a lot better, but they’re pricier upfront. Not sure the payback is there unless your water rates are sky-high or you’ve got a big household.
- Showerheads and washers definitely give more noticeable results for less hassle.
- Curious if anyone’s tried dual-flush toilets? Wondering if that’s a better compromise or just another gimmick...