We’re always on the hunt for ways to save money. Finding a great bargain on a new pair of heels or snagging a sweet deal on two-for-one milkshakes makes us feel great. And most Central Texans also really love helping the environment. If we’re able to combine the two and save ourselves some green while also saving our planet, that’s an obvious win-win. Austin plumbers know about one great money-saving option that’s also hugely beneficial to the environment: dual flush toilets.
Water Wisdom
Water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource. The US Environmental Protection Agency reports that by 2024 at least 40 states will be facing water shortages. Water conservation is a critical issue right now, and every little bit helps. Your toilet accounts for almost one-third of your total water usage, so a more efficient toilet can make a big impact. If your toilets are from the mid-90s or earlier, they definitely need to be replaced, as they may be using far more water per flush than necessary. In 1994, the EPA introduced legislation requiring new toilets use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush, down from up to 6 gallons previously. This legislation was great for the environment, but some homeowners were faced with low flow toilets that didn’t quite get the job done. However, a solution was on the horizon. Over the past decade, dual flush toilets (invented in the 1980s in Australia) had been steadily gaining popularity in Europe and Japan. Now, they are finally beginning to find an entry into the American market.
Waste Not, Want Not
A dual flush toilet is exactly what it sounds like. One button uses a low volume flush for liquid waste, while a second button delivers a higher volume flush to eliminate solid waste. The difference in water consumption between this model and a conventional toilet is a whopping 67%! If every conventional toilet in the country was replaced with a dual flush toilet, the EPA estimates that we could save 2 billion gallons of water per day. The environmental impact is so huge that some drought-stricken areas of the US are already requiring that all new toilets must be dual flush.
Money Matters
And of course, the savings in water consumption gets passed on to you. A dual flush toilet saves the average household 4000 gallons of water each year — an impact you’ll definitely notice on your monthly bill. In addition, because these toilets use gravity (instead of the siphoning method used by older toilets), they get the job done better and require fewer service calls from a Central Texas plumber.
Professional Installation
Once you’ve made the win-win decision to help your planet and your pocketbook by purchasing a dual flush toilet, your next step is to contact your Austin plumber. Installation can be a tricky process and is not for the average DIYer- this is definitely an area where a small mistake could lead to a big mess. A Central Texas plumber will make sure the install goes smoothly and that your new toilet is fully operational in no time, allowing you to devote your attention to your next big bargain hunt.