MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
I’m with you on the mixed results. I swapped out two old toilets last year—one of the new ones works like a charm, but the other sometimes needs a double flush. Not exactly what I was hoping for, considering the “efficient” label. The water bill did drop, though, and that’s hard to ignore.
Honestly, I miss the reliability of those older models. They weren’t pretty, but they got the job done every time. Some of these newer designs seem more focused on looking sleek than actually working well. Maybe it’s just a matter of finding the right brand or model... but it does feel like a bit of trial and error.
Still, with water rates creeping up, I guess it’s worth putting up with a few quirks. Just wish they’d figure out how to make them both efficient and effective without all the fuss.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
That double flush issue drives me nuts too. It's like—yes, we're saving water, but if I have to flush twice half the time, am I really saving anything? I swapped out a client’s whole set of bathrooms last summer, and it was honestly a mixed bag. One of the models looked fantastic, fit the space perfectly, but had a weirdly weak flush. The other was less stylish but worked like a champ.
From what I’ve seen, there’s a huge difference between brands. Some of the “designer” options seem more focused on aesthetics than function, which is frustrating when you’re trying to balance style with practicality. I’ve started recommending people check the MaP (Maximum Performance) ratings before buying—kind of nerdy, but it helps weed out the underperformers.
On the bright side, water bills do drop. Not always dramatically, but over time it adds up. Still, I totally get missing the old-school reliability. Sometimes, “new and improved” just means “different problems.”
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
I get the frustration with double flushing, but I wonder if it’s more about the specific toilet than the whole idea of water-saving models? We moved into our place last year and went with a mid-range water-saver (not fancy, but not bottom-of-the-barrel either). I was honestly expecting to be annoyed, but it’s been fine—no double flushes so far, even with a kid in the house who’s not exactly careful about what goes in there.
I do kind of miss the “flush and forget” reliability of the old ones, but I’m not sure I’d go back. Our water bill dropped by about $15/month, which surprised me. Maybe it’s just luck with the model we picked? Or maybe some brands have figured it out better than others.
Curious—has anyone tried those pressure-assisted toilets? They look a little intense, but maybe that solves the weak flush thing without using more water...
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
I do kind of miss the “flush and forget” reliability of the old ones, but I’m not sure I’d go back. Our water bill dropped by about $15/month, which surprised me.
That’s a solid savings—definitely adds up over a year. You’re right, it’s not just about “water-saving” as a category; the specific model makes a huge difference. Some of the early low-flow toilets were pretty bad, but newer ones (especially if you stick to reputable brands) have really improved. It’s not just luck.
Pressure-assisted toilets are a different beast. They do sound intense—kind of like an airplane bathroom—but they’re actually super efficient and don’t use more water than regular low-flows. If you want that “flush and forget” feeling back, they’re worth considering. Only thing is, they can be noisier and sometimes pricier upfront.
If you’re happy with your current setup and seeing real savings, you’ve already done most of the heavy lifting for both your wallet and the environment. Sometimes it’s just about finding the right fit for your household rather than chasing the latest tech.
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT?
That $15/month drop is no joke—over a few years, that’s a solid chunk of change. I’ve noticed in some multi-unit projects, the newer water-saving models do seem to require less maintenance than the older low-flows, which surprised me. Has anyone run into issues with clogs or double-flushing on the newer models? I’m curious if reliability is still a concern or if that’s mostly a thing of the past.
