MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
I hear you on the upfront cost—those high-end brands can be a shocker compared to the basic models at the big box stores. I’ve been weighing the same thing, honestly. My main concern is whether the savings on water bills actually make up for the higher price tag over time. Like, if I’m spending double or triple for a Toto, how long does it take before that pays off?
Also, I’ve read mixed stuff about replacement parts. Some of the eco models seem to have proprietary guts, so if something breaks, you can’t just grab a $10 flapper at the hardware store. Has anyone run into that? I’m all for efficiency, but I don’t want to get stuck with a fancy toilet that’s a pain to fix down the line.
Curious if anyone’s tracked their water bill before and after switching. Did you notice a real difference, or was it more hype than help?
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
We put in a dual-flush Toto last year when we built, and honestly, the water bill did drop a bit—maybe $8-10 a month. Not life-changing, but it adds up. The install was easy, but yeah, the parts are definitely more specialized. I had to order a replacement seal online instead of just grabbing one locally. Didn’t love that, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker for me. If you’re planning to stay put for years, I’d say it’s worth it, but if you hate dealing with specialty parts, maybe not.
the parts are definitely more specialized. I had to order a replacement seal online instead of just grabbing one locally. Didn’t love that, but it wasn’t a dealbreaker for me.
That’s the part that got me too. I swapped out an old 3.5 gal for a dual-flush model, and while the water savings were real, tracking down a weird flush valve gasket took longer than the install itself. If you’re not into hunting for parts online, it can get annoying fast. But yeah, the lower bill is nice...eventually.
tracking down a weird flush valve gasket took longer than the install itself
That’s exactly what bugs me about these newer toilets. The savings are nice, but when you need a part, suddenly you’re deep-diving into obscure plumbing websites or waiting a week for shipping. I had a similar experience—needed a replacement fill valve for a Toto, and none of the big box stores had it. Ended up using a temporary fix with plumber’s tape until the right part showed up.
Honestly, I get why folks like the water savings, but if you’re not handy or just don’t want to deal with specialty parts, it can be more hassle than it’s worth. The old 3.5 gal tanks were clunky but at least you could fix them with whatever was on the shelf at Home Depot.
Still, if you stick with one of the bigger brands, it’s a bit easier to find what you need. Some of the off-brand “eco” models? Good luck... you’ll be hunting for parts every time something wears out. Worth it for the bill? Maybe, but only if you’ve got patience.
The old 3.5 gal tanks were clunky but at least you could fix them with whatever was on the shelf at Home Depot.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I remember my first “eco” upgrade—felt like I was assembling a spaceship with all the specialty bits. But, once you get past the initial headache, it’s kind of satisfying seeing those water bills drop. There’s a weird sense of pride in figuring it out, even if it means MacGyver-ing things for a week.
