Homeowner guide · Bathrooms
WaterSense toilets for older bathrooms: what you save
A WaterSense toilet uses 1.28 gallons per flush or less, while older toilets can use as much as 6. EPA estimates that replacing old toilets saves a home nearly 13,000 gallons of water and more than $170 a year. Here is what the label means and when replacing is worth it.
Key takeaways
The short version
- WaterSense toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush or less; older toilets can use up to 6, EPA says.
- That is 20 percent less than the federal standard of 1.6 gallons per flush.
- Toilets account for nearly 30 percent of an average home’s indoor water use.
- EPA estimates nearly 13,000 gallons and more than $170 saved per home each year.
- The label means independent certification for both performance and efficiency.
Why the toilet is the place to start
EPA says toilets account for nearly 30 percent of an average home’s indoor water consumption (EPA WaterSense). In a bathroom that has not been updated in decades, the toilet is often the biggest water user in the house.
| Toilet | Gallons per flush |
|---|---|
| Older toilets | As much as 6 |
| Current federal standard | 1.6 |
| WaterSense labeled | 1.28 or less |
Source: EPA WaterSense.
What replacing saves
Water
EPA says replacing old toilets with WaterSense models can cut toilet water use by 20 to 60 percent, nearly 13,000 gallons a year for a home.
Money
EPA estimates more than $170 a year in water costs, or about $3,400 over the toilets’ lifetime.
Your own savings depend on how old your current toilets are and how many people use them.
What the WaterSense label means
EPA says WaterSense toilets are independently certified to meet its criteria for both performance and efficiency. Only products that pass third-party certification can carry the label (EPA WaterSense). In other words, the label is meant to rule out low-flow toilets that need a second flush.
EPA also says many local utilities offer rebates or vouchers. We did not find a current rebate for Tredyffrin or Easttown customers, so ask your water company before you buy.
Fix or replace?
- If the toilet works but runs or leaks, start with EPA’s 10-minute dye test: food coloring in the tank, and color in the bowl means a leak (EPA).
- EPA suggests replacing the flapper at least every five years.
- If the toilet is cracked, an older high-flush model, or part of a bathroom remodel, replacement is when the WaterSense savings apply.
Our hidden water leaks guide covers the dye test and the 2-hour meter test.
When to call
Replacing a toilet or updating a bathroom?
We install WaterSense toilets and fixtures in homes across Wayne, Strafford, Paoli, Chesterbrook, Berwyn and Devon. Call (610) 788-0042.
Frequently asked questions
WaterSense toilet questions
Answers by John, Tredyffrin Easttown Plumber.
How much water does a WaterSense toilet use?
EPA says WaterSense toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush or less.
How much water do old toilets use?
EPA says older toilets can use as much as 6 gallons per flush.
How much can a WaterSense toilet save?
EPA estimates nearly 13,000 gallons of water and more than $170 a year in water costs per home, or about $3,400 over the toilets’ lifetime.
What does the WaterSense label mean?
EPA says labeled toilets are independently certified to meet its criteria for both performance and efficiency.
Are there rebates for WaterSense toilets in Tredyffrin?
Not found. EPA says many local utilities offer rebates or vouchers, but we did not find a current one for Tredyffrin or Easttown. Ask your water company.
Sources
Where these facts come from
Every figure and rule in this guide comes from the public sources below. Rules and fees can change, so confirm with the source before you act.
Keep reading
Related services and guides
Toilet repair
Running, leaking and replacement.
Bathroom plumbing
Remodels and fixtures.
Hidden water leaks
The meter and dye tests.
Hard water in T/E
Scale on fixtures.
Our service area
Plumbing across Tredyffrin Township, PA
Tredyffrin Easttown Plumber serves every neighborhood in Tredyffrin Township, including Wayne, Strafford, Chesterbrook, Paoli, Berwyn, Devon, Daylesford, and Howellville, plus neighboring Easttown Township. Our office is at 217 Conestoga Rd, Suite 10, Wayne, PA 19087.
