Toilets

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Toilets are the main source of water use in the home, accounting for nearly a quarter of residential indoor water use. Therefore, toilets are a great opportunity to save water.

Fix your toilet

Learn more about fixing a leaky or running toilet. 

Choose a new toilet

Look for the Premium toilets that use 1.1 gallons per flush (gpf) with the WaterSense label, which certifies that toilets meet rigorous criteria for both flushing performance and water efficiency.

Premium 1.1 gallons per flush (gpf) or less

Premium toilets use 1.1 gpf or less and are the most efficient WaterSense models. These toilets use 20% less water and remove 70% more solid waste, compared to regular WaterSense toilets. Here is a list of Premium toilets (pdf). See our rebates page to find Premium toilet rebates available for single family, multifamily and commercial customers.

WaterSense

WaterSense toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf) or less compared to the 3.5 gpf or more used by toilets installed prior to 1994. Here is a list of WaterSense toilets  at EPA’s website (select “Toilets” from the Product Category drop-down menu). See our rebates page to find WaterSense toilet rebates available to commercial customers.

The WaterSense label

The WaterSense product label is sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help people save water while ensuring high performance. Products that have the WaterSense label have been tested by an independent laboratory. Learn more about EPA’s WaterSense program. Replacing an old water-guzzling toilet with an efficient Premium 1.1 gpf (or less) or WaterSense model could save up to $200 per year.*

Types of toilets

There are many different types of toilets on the market today.

  • Gravity Flush toilets are the most popular and common type. Improved design has resulted in many models that perform well. These models have a shorter, more intense flushing cycle that maximizes the smaller amount of water.
  • Pressure-Assist toilets use air pressure to push water into the bowl quickly when the toilet is flushed. They tend to be louder than gravity toilets. They are often selected for more challenging residential and commercial applications because of the force of their flush.
  • Vacuum-Assist toilets are similar to gravity flush. However, their design creates a vacuum to help pull waste through the bowl.
  • Washdown toilets often have large trapways and small waterspots. A large trapway means they are less likely to clog, but a small waterspot means they sometimes do not clean the bowl as well as other toilets.
  • Dual-flush toilets have two buttons: one for a larger volume flush for solid waste, the other for a smaller volume flush for liquid waste. Dual-flush toilets are available in gravity, pressure assist, and washdown types.

*Based on a family of four living in a single-family home in Seattle replacing a toilet made before 1994.