Unlike 50 years ago, municipal water is notably limited today. While most systems in the U.S. are not in drought stage year-round, they are stressed during the summer months and consumption-limiting is being promoted in many communities. At the same time, numerous changes and regulations have been instituted promoting water restrictions, from times of landscape watering to faucet designs and shower heads allowing less water to pass per minute.

One of the biggest uses of fresh water in a single moment tends to be the toilet. The design is a simple one dating back centuries. Provide enough water with gravity, and it washes away waste. The water used, however, tends to be anywhere from one to four gallons at a time. Not all of it is needed every time, so toilets have long been a target for design changes. This is where the dual flush toilet comes into play.

Two Designs, Two Choices

Given the nature of human waste, sometimes one needs a lot of water to flush, and sometimes it is not needed. However, if a toilet only uses one bulk design, then a lot of water is consumed unnecessarily. With a dual flush design, a homeowner can choose what works best, reducing overall water consumption daily while still having what is adequately needed for the moment. This approach to choice works exceptionally well when it comes to home fixtures.

Early fixture water restrictions were a bit of all or nothing. The faucet or toilet was reduced significantly, with a notable reduction in performance when needed the most. With a system that provides choice, a user has the ability to use what is needed when the maximum is required, but he or she can also scale back when it isn’t. Dual design just matches daily living a lot better, and it still achieves the same benefit of water conservation.

How Does A Dual System Work?

The basic mechanics of a toilet uses gravity to drive water down when it is needed for flushing. This happens with a simple lever system that opens a flap, and all the water quickly drains out of the reservoir into the basic through a spread system in the ceramic bowl. That in turn flushes waste down the drain as the amount of water is higher than the u-bend inside the bowl, and the water drains until the water-level parity is restored again. However, this old design empties the entire reservoir.

With a dual system, the flap is replaced by a two-stage control system. When only a small amount of water is needed, one part of the lever releases that amount instead of emptying the entire reservoir. When the full amount is needed, the second part of the lever opens up the full flow. Ergo, a dual flush lever allows choice and better suitability at the moment.

What’s Involved With Installation?

Depending on the design of the given toilet, the dual-flush toilet installation is very much the same as a regular toilet. First, the only unit has to be removed or cleared, and the basin connection point needs to be prepared with a new wax ring for a seal on the drain pipe. Once ready, the basin is then installed, and many times the tank already comes with the assembly.

Once all the parts are connected and secured to the floor, the toilet water feed is connected and turned on to fill up the tank and test the system. After water flow is confirmed, no leaks are seen and things work correctly, the tank lid and toilet seat are installed if missing, and the unit is finished. The last step simply involves cleaning up and removing the old basin and any cleaning garbage.

Saving Money

Most jurisdictions today now have homeowners paying for water consumption, and those bills aren’t shrinking. It’s quite common to see rates being increased 5 percent annually. That cost adds up over time. Again, because toilets use so much water at once, they are a contributing factor to water bills. However, with a dual flush system, a homeowner gets the additional benefit of less water use, and that produces savings over time. It may not be hundreds of dollars at once, but every saving amount adds up.

If you are replacing a toilet, try a dual-flush unit. You’ll be surprised how convenient they are, and your water bill gets a bonus.