Buying a toilet is not a walk through the park. Toilets might look the same to you, but there are glaring differences you can only observe if you take your time to research your preferred toilet.
Toilets vary in their height, piece, shape, and flushing systems. Yet, the common difference in toilets is the rate per single flush and water consumption. The typical flushing capacity in toilets is the 1.6 GPF and the 1.28 GPF toilets. This means that the toilets use 1.28 gallons and 1.6 gallons per flush.
When buying a toilet, you must understand its water consumption and how it will affect your water bills. In this educative piece, you will explore the features, differences, and advantages of the 1.28 VS 1.6 GPF Toilets. Stay tuned!
Types of Toilets
Before comparing the 1.28 vs. 1.6 GPF toilets, check out the common types of toilets available in the market today.
Gravity Toilets
Gravity toilets are the typical type of toilet found in most homes today. As the name implies, gravity toilets use gravity to flush down wastes.
These toilets use the weight of water and head pressure to flush down waste. Thus, the tank suspends above the toilet and lets in water when you wash to push down the wastes.
Pressure Toilets
Pressure toilets use pressure elements like air stored in a vessel to flush. These types of toilets flush when the air mixes with the water in the toilet tank. Use pressure assist toilets for clog-free powerful flushing action.
Dual Flush Toilets
Dual flush toilets are also gravity toilets but with two flushing options. The first option allows you to flush liquid wastes with lesser water while the second option is the standard flush.
Dual flush toilets help save water as the average GPF is around 1.28 gallons. Thus, they meet the standards of a high-efficiency toilet in the country.
Toilet Models and Technology
Technological advancements across the globe led to the development of high-efficiency toilets. These toilets use less water and have better flush power. The earlier models of toilets use about 5 to 8 gallons of water per flush. These types of toilets paved the way for later models that use about 3.5 GPF. The federal government regulated the use of toilets across all states and replaced the 3.5GPF with the 1.6 GPF in 1992.
Since then, better models like the 1.28GPF are replacing the 1.6 GPF. Newer toilet models have better materials, flush system, and comfort features to help users with an excellent washroom experience.
1.28 GPF Toilets
The 1.28 GPF toilets are more effective versions that use only 1.28 gallons per flush. These toilet versions offer environmentally friendly options as they save more water, especially in houses with many toilets.
The 1.28 GPF toilets, aside from helping you save water, provide efficient flushes that clear the waste in one flush. Thus, you enjoy a cheap option with good flushing power when you get a 1.28 GPF Toilet. A good example is the Ultramax II from TOTO.
Advantages of Using the 1.28 GPF Toilets
Saves More Water
With the 1.28 GPF toilet, you save about 3000-4000 gallons of water every year. Hence, you cut down on your water bills and help promote an environment.
Save More With Rebates From Your State
If your state offers discounts for using the 1.28 GPF toilets, then you too stand a chance of enjoying a partial refund when you get the toilets.
Disadvantages of Using the 1.28 GPF Toilets
Lesser Flushing Power
Due to the smaller quantity of flushing water, the 1.28 GPF toilets have lower flushing power, and thus, you will experience clogging and stains after some flush.
Also, the toilet may not flush down heavier wastes, causing you to flush more than once and leading to more water consumption.
1.6 GPF Toilets
The 1.6 GPF Toilets consume more water than its counterpart but are more effective. They are the federal standard toilets, but most states do not recommend them. The 1.6 GPF toilets flush heavier wastes in a single flush.
They clean up stains and do not cause clogs. Thus, with the 1.6 GPF toilets, you may not have to flush twice to clean up. A quick look at our no-clog toilets review for better use.
Advantages of Using the 1.6 GPF Toilets
Better Flushing Power
The 1.6 GPF toilets use more water, thus flush better than the 1.28 GPF toilets. They flush down a heavy mass of waste and do not leave stains on the bowl. They are little chance of clogs too. Hence, you save water when you use the 1.6 GPF toilets. You don’t have to flush twice like the 1.28 version.
Disadvantages of Using the 1.6 GPF Toilets
The 1.6 GPF Toilets consume more water than its 1.28 counterpart. You need more water for every flush. Although the toilet offers better flushing power, its accumulated water consumption overtime is not good for the environment.
Toilet Rebate Laws
Most states in the country will reward you with a rebate when you replace high water consumption toilets with the new 1.28 models. This is to promote the use of low-water consumption toilets and encourage good practices.
These regulations create more awareness to help homeowners cut down their water consumption. The 1.28 GPF toilets will help you save about 27,000 gallons of water every year.
States like Texas, California, and Colorado enforce the installation of 1.28 or fewer gallons of water per flush. Thus, you cannot use the 1.6 GPF toilets in these states.
Other states like Connecticut, Nevada, New York, and Washington ensure that homeowners stick to the 1.6 GPF toilets, which is the federal standard. Georgia provides that homeowners use only Water Sense toilets for new building projects and renovations.
The federal standard of toilet use is the initiative of the National Energy Policy Act of 1995. The Act ensured that manufacturers of plumbing and toilet fixtures made toilets that use 1.6 GPF. The Act ensures that homeowners remodeling or building new housing units use toilets with 1.6 GPF or less.
How Do You Choose the Right Toilet for You?
At this point, it’s natural for you to have no idea about the best toilet for your home. Choosing between the 1.28 and 1.6 GPF can be confusing as you will sit between better water efficiency and flushing power.
If you live in the state that only allows the use of 1.28 GPF toilets, then you have no choice but to stick to the stipulated requirements. If you have the freedom to choose between the 1.28 GPF and 1.6 GPF, then you can get a toilet that suits your daily needs.
Your choice of toilet depends on what you need. If you have many toilets in your home and need to cut down on water consumption, then you should consider the 1.28 GPF toilets as they would help you save water. If yet, you want powerful flushes and have lesser toilets in your home, you can consider using the 1.6 GPF toilets.
The two models are great and would serve well in all situations. Aside from the flush power and water consumption, other factors would affect your choice of a toilet. You should consider these factors also when getting a toilet.
Average Flush Per Day
The difference between the two types of toilets discussed in the piece is their water-saving abilities. But, this factor depends on the number of times you flush the toilet every day. The average toilet user flushes for about five times per day.
The numbers will go up with kids and older users. Hence, you need a toilet that would help you save water if you have a household with plenty of toilets. You can choose between the 1.28 GPF and 1.6 GPF toilets to help you save more water yearly.
Toilet Brands and Efficiency
Aside from the GPF, the effectiveness of a toilet depends on the brand. Thus, the brand of toilet you buy plays a significant role in its durability. Before you buy a toilet, it’s advised you to carry out proper research on the different brands available in the market today. Most brands focus on performance and flush power.
Other brands focus on comfort and appearance. Thus, you have different choosing options. You can also narrow your search to your preferences and choose the right toilet for your home.
Bottom Line
The need for a significant reduction in water usage to help save the eco-system led to modern toilet models. These toilets are fast replacing the older models that take up more water and are less effective. Changing out the 5 or 3.5 GPF toilets with the 1.28 GPF toilets will save you about 9000 to 17000 gallons of water per annum.
Hence, choosing between the 1.28 GPF and the 1.6 GPF helps you save water. Your preference depends on the frequency of use and the number of toilets in your home.
You should also consider other factors like the material used, the flush power, and the manufacturer’s priority. You should also consider your state’s rule for a toilet as most states enforce the 1.28 GDF models for lesser water usage.
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Mostly true.. BUT all high-pressure low volume toilets spread disease… one flush and your piss and poop sprays over 6 feet from the toilet.
Besides my house 100 years old. I would have to change all my plumbing to use these modern thrones. If I don’t get 3 galls per flush.. pips get clogged, Would take me decades to make up for the cost of replacing the plumbing system.
Lastly, we need to reclaim water vs. pisspoor “improvements” on the public. This falls under the same line Bull you get with vinyl siding, OSB, Other “modern” improvements that do NOT last and do less. Modern junk homes still cant last or save any more money than this old house.
Sorry, it line of bull they are selling; it just quicker to build. They expect you will love there 5-7 yrs and move on, so reliability is meaningless.