Can a plumber install a water-saving toilet and how many litres of water can it save?

02/07/2024
Nick at Fergusons Plumbing

As an experienced plumber, I understand the importance of water conservation and cost-effective solutions in modern households. One of the best ways to achieve this is by having a plumber install a water-saving toilet. This discussion will centre around the benefits and process of installing such a unit in your home.

Let’s delve into some key points about water-saving toilets:

Plumber Installation: Trust a professional to correctly install your water-saving toilet for maximum efficiency.
Water-Saving Varieties: There are different types of water-saving toilets to choose from based on your needs.
Purchasing Considerations: Understand factors like cost, size, and style before purchasing a water-saving toilet.
Eco-Friendly Plumbing: Opting for a water-saving toilet is a step towards eco-friendly plumbing solutions.
Litres Saved: With every flush, you’re contributing towards significant water conservation.

Fitting a water-saving toilet not only benefits your wallet but also the environment by minimising water wastage.

The Importance of Water-Saving Toilets

Water-saving toilets are a fantastic solution to reducing unnecessary water usage in households. They are designed for efficient flushing that uses less water than traditional toilets.

There are several varieties on the market, each offering unique benefits and features. It’s essential to consider these factors when choosing the right one for you.

A plumber installation ensures that your new water-saving toilet functions correctly and delivers the expected efficiency. So trust an expert for the task!

Becoming more eco-friendly doesn’t have to be complicated – it can start with something as simple as choosing to have a plumber install a water-saving toilet in your home.

Contents

Can a Plumber Install a Water-Saving Toilet?
Types of Water-Saving Toilets
Factors to Consider When Buying a Water-Saving Toilet
How to Install a Water Saving Toilet
Benefits of Water-Saving Toilets
Water Conservation with Every Flush: Litres Saved
Save Money by Replacing Your Toilet
Eco-Friendly Plumbing Solutions: Water Savings
Savvy Water Savings

Can a Plumber Install a Water-Saving Toilet?

Indeed, a professional plumber can readily install a water-saving toilet. Taking this route ensures the job is done efficiently and correctly.

However, if you’re keen on tackling this as DIY project, it’s certainly achievable with the right tools and some effort. Here’s a glimpse of what’s involved:

Purchase the necessary tools and materials such as a new wax ring, a new supply line, two flange bolts, kitchen and bathroom caulk, a wrench, pliers and screwdriver.
Attach the tank to the toilet bowl. Position it over the bowl and align the screw holes. Secure with screws and a crescent wrench.
Install the flange bolts into the flange. Ensure equal distance from both bolts to the wall then tighten them.
Place the wax ring on the flange. It should sit directly between your two flange bolts.

Moving on, you’ll have to carefully position the toilet over the flange bolts before applying your weight to settle it flush against the floor. This action squishes down on the wax ring.

Afterward, secure your toilet to the flange by tightening nuts onto protruding flange bolts. Be cautious not to overtighten as this could damage your porcelain or floor. Once secured, trim any excess flange bolt length.

Connect your new supply line and ensure the connection is firm. Turn on your water tap and inspect for any potential leaks.

To finish off, when your tank fills up give it a flush checking for any leaks around your toilet bowl. Apply a bead of caulk around the toilet base for support and rot prevention.

Types of Water-Saving Toilets

When it comes to water-efficient toilets, several top brands stand out. Kohler, American Standard, and Glacier Bay are all well-regarded.

These models not only perform excellently in removing liquid waste but also ace in solid-waste disposal.

The best designs offer an impressive balance of performance and water-saving features. They’re capable of maintaining a clean bowl while resisting stains and odours.

A key facet of their design is the ability to prevent drain-line clogs, a common issue with less efficient models.

As you can see, choosing a water-saving toilet isn’t just about reducing your water usage – although that’s a significant factor.

In addition to being eco-friendly, these toilets excel in function. Whether it’s clearing solid or liquid waste, they’re built for the job.

Remember, a good toilet should enhance your home’s efficiency while providing a high-quality user experience.

Make sure to consider all these factors when searching for the ideal water-saving toilet. It’s about finding the perfect blend of efficiency, performance, and cost-effectiveness.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Water-Saving Toilet

What are the Types of Water-Saving Toilets?

Firstly, familiarise yourself with the two types of water-saving toilets: dual-flush and single-flush. Each has unique water saving features.

How Much Water Can You Save?

Consider how much water you want to save. A standard toilet flushes about 6 litres, whereas a water-saving model uses less.

Is Comfort Important?

Comfort is important too. Toilets are available in different heights, so pick one that best suits your comfort.

What About the Price?

Have a clear budget. While water-saving toilets are costlier upfront, they’ll save on your water bills in the long run.

Should I Consider the Design?

Aesthetics matters. Choose a design that matches your bathroom decor for a harmonious look.

What’s the Efficiency Rating?

Check the efficiency rating. The higher it is, the more water you can save with each flush.

Can I Install it Myself?

Last but not least, consider if you can install it yourself or if you’ll need to hire a professional plumber.

Bear these factors in mind and you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect water-saving toilet for your needs.

How to Install a Water Saving Toilet

When opting for a water-saving toilet, you can anticipate moderate difficulty. Getting hands-on could be an exciting DIY project.

Kick-off the installation by switching off the water supply. This is usually located to the left of your toilet.

Flush the loo to empty as much water as you can. Mopping up the leftovers can be managed with a trusty sponge and bucket.

Step	Action
1	Disconnect water connection from hose to toilet tank.
2	Loosen and remove the closet bolts on either side of the toilet.
3	Carefully lift the toilet off the bolts.
4	Clean wax around flange with putty knife and check its condition.
Continue to follow steps meticulously for best results.

Moving forward, gather your brass tank bolts and tank-to-bowl gasket – these should have been bundled with your new throne.

The new toilet seat is then affixed to the bowl, followed by closet bolts being inserted into the flange. Add a new wax ring for a perfect seal around the flange.

Your swanky water-saving loo can then be positioned back onto the flange parameters, lightly pressed down into the wax ring for optimal positioning.

Tidy up by adding toilet cap bases onto closet bolts, followed by washers and nuts. Carefully tighten these using your wrench on both sides, but avoid overtightening.

After chopping the closet bolts close to the nut with a mini hacksaw, put the toilet cap back onto the bolt.

Reconnect your water supply and switch it back on. Lastly, use caulking around the base of your new toilet for a polished finish.

With a bit of elbow grease and this guide, you’ll have your water-saving toilet ready in no time.

Benefits of Water-Saving Toilets

One primary benefit of water-saving toilets is their environmental friendliness. They are particularly ideal in zones with drought conditions, as they greatly reduce household water usage.

Lower operating costs: By conserving water, these efficient toilets lower your total water bill. A definite plus on your budget.
Space-saving designs: Due to their smaller tanks, they fit perfectly into smaller bathrooms, giving a sleek and modern look.
Advanced technology: Contemporary low-flow toilets have enhanced flush systems. They ensure minimal issues while using less water.
Pricing: High-efficiency low-flow toilets may have higher initial costs, but their long-term benefits in water savings can outweigh the expense.

Maintenance is vital for these toilets to retain their efficiency over time. Regular calibration will help maintain their performance and longevity.

Clogs: If not maintained properly, solid waste may get stuck in low-flow toilets. Regular cleaning and proper use can prevent this.
Installation costs: The compatibility of these toilets with existing plumbing might require additional adjustments, particularly in older homes.
Innovative monitoring systems: These tools can detect leaks and other issues more effectively, providing a proactive approach to toilet maintenance.

In the long run, investing in a water-saving toilet could lead to significant savings and environmental benefits. Make the switch today!

Water Conservation with Every Flush: Litres Saved

The Australian household can save significant amounts of water via water-saving toilets.

The Potential Savings

Imagine conserving over 200 billion litres per person. This is achievable by installing a water-saving toilet.

Imagine further reducing that by another 7 billion litres. The numbers are staggering.

Every Drop Counts

By just reducing our water consumption slightly, we could save an additional 1.4 billion litres per person.

This goes beyond just being environment-friendly; it’s about safeguarding our future.

A Shift in Perspective

We want to encourage Australians to see the bigger picture here. A switch to a water-saving toilet can make a great difference.

Did you know we could all contribute to saving an additional 7 million litres per person? Let that sink in for a moment.

We can transform our homes into models of efficiency and sustainability. All it takes is one small change in the bathroom – installing a water-saving toilet.

Save Money by Replacing Your Toilet

Choosing a water-saving toilet can lead to substantial savings on your water bills. The investment upfront may seem overwhelming, but the long-term savings are worth it.

Furthermore, efficient toilets are more environmentally friendly. They help in conserving water, an increasingly scarce resource, making you a responsible homeowner.

Consider consulting with a professional plumber to understand the best options for your household.

Eco-Friendly Plumbing Solutions: Water Savings

Embracing eco-friendly plumbing solutions like installing water-saving toilets can drastically reduce your annual energy usage and save you money.

Did you know that the energy required to supply just ten households with water is enough to power a fridge for over two years?

A quarter of your electricity bill could be spent on heating water if you have an electric water heater installed.

The installation of WaterSense labelled tap aerators in bathrooms is a cost-effective solution that can significantly cut down your energy usage.
These WaterSense products not only conserve water but could also help minimise your energy expenses.
All WaterSense labelled items undergo rigorous testing and independent certification to ensure their efficiency and performance are up to the mark.
Your yearly household expenditure on water could be reduced by $350 if you retrofit your home with WaterSense fixtures and ENERGY STAR qualified appliances.

A typical family squanders 23 gallons of water per load in a standard clothes washer. However, using an ENERGY STAR certified equivalent reduces consumption to 13 gallons.

WaterSense labeled products are supported by third-party certification, so you can trust that they meet EPA’s standards for efficiency and performance.

An average family can save about 10% on their water bills by simply fixing household leaks. This solution is easy to implement and yields noticeable results.

All inefficient toilets in your home should be replaced with WaterSense labeled models. By doing this, each family can conserve up to 13,000 gallons of water and $130 annually.
Upgrading bathroom taps and aerators with WaterSense labeled models can save you $250 in water and electricity costs over the items’ lifetime.
Swapping your showerheads with WaterSense labeled versions can cut your water and electricity costs by $70 annually. This can save a household more than 2,700 gallons of water every year, equivalent to the water usage for 88 laundry loads.

Your main bathroom can have a high-efficiency makeover with WaterSense labeled toilet, showerhead, and tap aerator installation. This investment can pay for itself in as little as one year.

Replace your clock-based controller with a WaterSense labeled irrigation controller. It’s a switch that could reduce your home’s irrigation water use by up to 30 percent and save an average household up to 15,000 gallons of water annually.

Savvy Water Savings

Indeed, a plumber can install a water-saving toilet, which plays a pivotal role in efficient water use around the home. Depending on the model and frequency of use, these toilets can save up to 70,000 litres of water per year. It’s a significant step towards reducing your environmental footprint and monthly water bills.