Low flow and dual flush toilets are becoming increasingly common, after legislation in the 1990’s put old water guzzlers to rest. Of course, you will still see them in older homes with original toilets, but new developments all use low flow toilets. But what’s with the dual flush frenzy? In this post, we will tell you all about them and show you why you might want to consider installing dual flush toilet, or convert existing toilets in your home to dual flush models.

The basic principle behind a dual flush toilet is to save water, because, well…. sometimes you just need a lot less water than other times. By having the option to choose just how much flushing is needed, you can save around 25% on your water bill, and the environment will thank you for it. Sounds like a good deal, right?

Some people have asked just how much difference the two separate flushes make and studies have showed fascinating results: Compared to a conventional toilet, a dual flush system can reduce water consumption by up to 67%.

There is so much merit to the studies, and the advantages of using these systems, that countries have passed laws that require all newly installed toilets be dual flush systems in order to conserve the dwindling water resources around the world.

Dual Flush Technology

Dual flush toilets have reached an industry boom and developers are working hard to make the toilets more beautiful , simple to use and comfortable as possible. There are many styles to choose from, and various flushing mechanisms. Some models have two buttons, which are preferred over the push or pull models. The button models drastically cuts down on miss-flushes.

A dual flush toilet looks pretty much the same as any other toilet, except, there are two flushers. The one flusher uses about .8 gallons, and is recommended for liquid waste, whereas the 1.6 gallon flush is for solid waste.

Some research has shown that a dual flush toilet uses around 4.8 gallons of water per day in total, compared to standard old toilets that use 3.5 gallons per flush, and 8 gallons per day in total.

Of course, due to the reduction in water usage, you will see significant water savings when you install a dual-flush toilet.

Costs of Installing a New Dual Flush Toilet

Of course, if your toilet is in perfect working condition, you don’t necessarily want to fork out money on installing a new one. However, there are numerous options available for you to reap the benefits of a dual flush toilet while still using your same old toilet, for example:

1. Fill a half-gallon plastic container with sand or pebbles, and sink it into your toilet tank. It will prevent the toilet from filling up with as much water, and you should save half a gallon per flush.

2. Speak to your local plumber about converting your existing toilet into a dual flusher. It is quick, simple and affordable.

The only drawback to dual flush systems is that the plumbing required for installing an new dual flush toilet is a lot more complicated than the average toilet. It’s not recommended as your weekend DIY project!

Great news for homeowners, is that all toilets will soon be dual flush and the old gallon-guzzlers will be a thing of the past.

Green plumbing and energy-efficient technologies in and around the home are some of the aspects that contribute to a safe, healthy and comfortable living environment. We have come a long way since traditional gallon-guzzler toilets and modern technology enables us to design buildings to be more energy efficient, and to apply changes to existing appliances, plumbing systems and other aspects of the home to make them more economical too.

Plumbing is one of the most flexible systems to use for implementing green strategy, and probably the most effective. Some of the benefits of green plumbing include:

• reducing the energy costs of your home
• improving the health of your home
• saving water
• reducing your carbon footprint

Most homeowners would love to achieve those outcomes, but it can be difficult to sift through the various options and choosing the best fixtures and designs. That’s why we’re bringing you this post, with the various green plumbing options available to you.

When it comes to green plumbing design, most people are very worried about the costs, but the truth is that going green will not require a much higher upfront investment than conventional plumbing does. The slightly higher initial outlay is easily offset against the guaranteed reduction in water usage and reduced energy costs. Green plumbing pays for itself over and over again over time.

For people who truly care about the environment, the monthly cost savings are a side issue, with passing on a healthier, better world to their future generations being the overlying priority; one to which one can’t put any price.

In the short term, green plumbing will offer the benefits of a healthier home, cleaner water, and in the long term, it will conserve precious water resources for centuries to come.

Here are some of the best green plumbing options to save money, have a healthier home and save the environment:

Pipes

Placement and insulation highly affect your energy consumption, in that it causes heat loss. Insulating your pipes can help prevent heat loss and reduce your hot water heater’s standby energy loss. Removing plumbing from the exterior walls can also help with this problem.

Hot Water Heaters

Replacing your old hot water heater with a modern, high-efficiency model can save around 15% on your energy bill. Even better, you can replace your old system with a new tankless hot water heater, which will save both water and electricity. These nifty systems deliver water, heated to a specified temperature, to your faucet in seconds. However, the system does not heat and reheat water all day and night. Instead, it heats water on-demand. There are several other benefits to tankless hot water heaters, which we told you about in a previous post.

Water Purification Systems

When it comes to green plumbing, you want to be sure that you target the health of your potable water. Different purification systems tackle different issues and that’s why we suggest you ask for a copy of the municipal water quality report. Also have your water supply tested independently to find out if there are specific issues that should be addressed. Some of the ways in which you can purify your water supply, include:

Chlorine filters for your shower heads: Many people suffer from chlorine sensitivity, which is often caused by showers. Chlorine absorbed much faster through the skin than through the water we drink.

Whole house filtration systems: By removing micro organisms, particles and chemicals from your entire plumbing system you can make your family healthier, while at the same time increasing the lifespan of your plumbing fixtures and hot water heaters.

Reverse osmosis systems or activated carbon filters: RO systems, installed under the sink, will provide purified drinking water, while activated carbon filters do the same for shower heads and faucets.

Other green plumbing options include:

• low-flow faucets and showers with flow reducers
• low-flow dual flush toilets
• leak monitoring device
• energy efficient clothes washers and dishwashers

If you are considering green plumbing options for your new home, or if you want to renovate your home, your plumber will be a great source of quality, expert advice.