Saving Money With Each Flush

Dual Flush Toilets

Installing a dual flush toilet is one of the most reliable ways to save on your water bill and to significantly cut your household’s water consumption. While dual flush toilets aren’t cheap (they typically start at $250, not including the cost of installation), the toilet uses no more than 1.6 gallons per flush, which makes it a high efficiency toilet (HET) and in compliance with the 1994 National Energy Policy Act. Toilets made prior to 1992 use an astounding 3.5 gallons per flush. The distinguishing feature of a dual flush toilet is its two buttons. The first is for liquid waste (#1), which outpours .8 gallons of water. Press the second button for solid waste (#2) and use only 1.6 gallons of water. While these toilets are certainly an investment, they have proven to clog less due to the size of its trap way, cut down on the water bill, and most important, these eco-friendly toilets will save a household 4,000 gallons of water annually, according to the EPA.

Adapt Your Old Toilet

If installing a dual flush toilet is not in your budget, then consider adapting your old toilet using a retrofit kit that’s sold at any home improvement store. The retrofit kits generally cost around $30 and they allow you to adjust the water flow for your old porcelain throne. These kits are easy to install and will make your toilet more efficient without compromising your toilet’s flushing ability.

DIY Bottle-in-the-Tank Trick

Instead of the old brick-in-the-tank trick (the sediment will wreak havoc on your tank), try using a plastic milk jug or 1-liter plastic soda bottle sans the label filled with sand, rocks or marbles. Place it in your toilet tank away from any of the major parts and voila! This super affordable method will displace water in your tank and will save you about half a gallon per flush, or around 2.5 gallons per day