Are your toilets negatively affecting your water bill?
Are your toilets negatively affecting your water bill? Many of us are entirely unaware of just how much water our toilets use. On average, they account for about 30% of the water used within a home. Not only can inefficient toilets lead to increased water bills, but they can increase your water waste leading to adverse environmental effects.
The Invention Of Efficient Toilets
You might be surprised to learn that until 1995 there wasn’t a standard for how much water would be flushed with each use. Toilets would use up to three gallons per flush, an amount that adds up very quickly. With the new federal standard toilets were relegated to a 1.6 gallon limit with new efficient models allowing for minimal use of 1.28 gallons or less. Inventions like half flush options have also increased the capabilities of new toilets further. The results are significant, if you are to replace an older unit, you’ll notice a decrease in household water use of over 20% on average with some homes seeing a 60% improvement.
The Payoff
Switching out an older toilet can be expensive depending on your DIY abilities and the bathroom you choose to purchase. While there are plenty of inexpensive, quality options, you may also use this time to upgrade to a high-tech alternative. With that in mind, the cost payoff can be slower but still valuable. Along with the added value, new toilets give your home (a slight but still notable advantage) they also help decrease your water bills over time. A 1.28-gallon water-efficient option can save up to 13,000 gallons of water or more a year leading to direct savings on water bills averaging at about $110 a year.
A RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL PLUMBING COMPANY YOU CAN TRUST
Alpha Plumbing is a full-service plumbing and contracting company serving the Baltimore and Annapolis metro area with expertise in all aspects of plumbing. We’re family-owned and operated since 1991 from our office in Pasadena. We offer quality plumbing services at reasonable rates in a timely fashion. Our trucks are equipped with GPS systems to ensure we’re prompt and on time. No job is too large or too small! We maintain a fleet of well-stocked trucks and also own and operate our own backhoes for jobs requiring excavation.
For more information and to get a free no-obligation estimate, you can contact us on our website, send us an e-mail, or give us a call at (410) 255-5998.