I do miss the “set it and forget it” days of those 80s monsters, but I also don’t miss explaining to tenants why their water bill is through the roof.
That’s exactly what I’m torn about. Is it really worth swapping out my ancient-but-reliable toilet if I’m just trading one headache for another? I mean, do the water savings actually make up for the hassle (and possible repair costs) in a regular house? Or is this just another “upgrade” that looks better on paper than in real life?
Honestly, I get the hesitation. I swapped out a 1987 “water hog” in my main bath a couple years back, mostly because my city started charging crazy rates for usage. The new dual-flush model’s been solid—no clogs or weird issues so far. But yeah, installation was a pain (tight fit, awkward bolts). Water bill dropped about $12/month, though, which adds up. If your old one isn’t giving you grief, it’s a toss-up... but if you’re paying by the gallon, those savings are real over time. Just don’t go for the absolute cheapest model—they’re the ones that usually cause headaches.
Yeah, totally hear you on the install headaches—some of those newer toilets are just awkward to wrangle into older bathrooms. But honestly, the water savings do add up, especially if you’ve got multiple units like I do. Had a couple tenants complain about weak flushes with the bargain-bin models, so I stick with mid-range brands now. If your city’s charging by the gallon, those $10-15/month drops are no joke over a year. Not glamorous, but it pays for itself eventually.
Had a couple tenants complain about weak flushes with the bargain-bin models, so I stick with mid-range brands now.
Yeah, that’s the kicker—those cheap models are a gamble. I’ve swapped out more than a few “eco” toilets that just couldn’t handle, uh, real-world use. Here’s my two cents: if you’re thinking about upgrading, don’t just look at the gallons per flush sticker. Check the trapway size and flush valve too. Some of those budget units save water by barely moving any, which means double-flushing and, ironically, wasting more.
My usual steps: measure your rough-in (old houses can be weird), check for clearance behind the tank (some of these new tanks are chunky), and read a few reviews from folks who’ve had them a year or two. If you’re in a city with high water rates, yeah, the savings add up, but only if you’re not calling a plumber every six months for clogs. I’d say mid-range is the sweet spot—don’t go bottom shelf unless you like headaches.
I totally get the temptation to go for the cheapest option, but after moving into my place last year, I learned the hard way that not all “eco” toilets are created equal. The first one I tried was basically a glorified squirt gun—ended up plunging more than I ever did in my old apartment. I agree, it’s not just about water per flush. The design matters way more than I expected. If you’re going to upgrade, it’s worth reading the fine print and maybe spending a bit more upfront. Otherwise, you might save water but lose your sanity...