It’s change we can all believe in. The era of bad flushing is over.
In fact, thanks to advanced hydraulic engineering, we can go even lower than 1.6 gallons per flush. High-efficiency toilets use less than 1.3 GPF for a 20 percent water savings which could save an average family of four at least 4,000 gallons of water in one year without sacrificing performance or style.
Efficient use of water is important for many communities and absolutely essential for others. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 36 states will experience non-drought-related water shortages in the next 10 years. These shortages are related to issues such as population growth, infrastructure repairs, saltwater intrusion in coastal areas and groundwater depletion. Consequently, demand for HETs will continue to grow as local, state and federal entities grapple with ways make sure the U.S. has enough fresh, clean drinking water.
Engineering a Better Toilet
Advanced hydraulic engineering has dramatically changed the new product development process at plumbing manufacturers. Using powerful tools such as Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Element Analysis, product designers can see and manage how water flows through each toilet, leading to the following changes that plumbers are seeing in HET models:
--The Tank. Conventional flush toilets use gravity for energy. The water that sits in the tank contains potential energy from the force of gravity pulling down on it. Tank trim has been redesigned on many HETs to harness as much of that potential energy as possible as the water is put into motion, eliminating sharp turns and wasteful turbulence. Some HETs operate on a single flush, while others operate with a dual flush.
--Flush valve/flapper. An extra-large flush valve diameter allows the water to exit the tank with enough velocity to create a strong and effective flush in the bowl. Newly improved flappers stand up to chlorinated water and maintain a reliable, leak-proof seal.
--Toilet bowl rim. The use of CFD during the product design process ensures that exactly the right amount of water is directed to the rim and that the rim holes are sized and located properly to achieve the best scouring action of the bowl.
--Well and water-surface area. The contours of the well and the size of the water spot are important design attributes. The contour of the well will contribute to the generation of a strong siphon. Larger water spots help to keep the bowl cleaner.
--Trapway. The trapway needs to be wide enough to prevent clogs, yet narrow enough to generate a powerful siphon using only 1.28 gallons of water. CFD allows the toilet designers and engineers to determine the perfect shape and size of the trapway. Some HETs are now available with trapway diameters as large as the 3.5 GPF toilets of old. A 2 3/8-inch trapway can move a mass 70 percent larger than a standard two-inch trapway.
Prove It
So, you’re a bad flush survivor. Your business has been burned by callbacks and letdowns by 1.6 GPF toilets. Two independent resources can help persuade customers to go HET…and you, too!
The first is the Maximum Performance test developed by independent testing labs, Veritec Consulting Inc., of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and Koeller and Company of Yorba Linda, Calif. Veritec and Koeller established testing criteria to ensure all toilets were measured consistently.
Cylinders of miso paste are dropped into the toilet to test waste removal. The highest rating a toilet can get for bulk removal is 1,000 grams, or more than two pounds. MaP test results are usually published one or two times per year. The 13th edition was made available in November, 2008.
The Water Sense label is the other independent resource. The minimum acceptable rating for Water Sense-labeled HETs is the ability to flush 350 grams. HETs approved for Water Sense labeling by the US EPA are subjected to rigorous, independent third party testing according to EPA requirements.
Other Considerations
While a lot of things have changed in the world of toilets, some things never change when it comes to how your customers will make a purchase decision. Style is still one of the top considerations. So is cleanability, easy installation, and for HETs, the possibility of generous rebates. Better-engineered toilets warranty both tank and trim for the lifetime of the toilet.
Ready for the new era? Change is upon us, and for toilets, that’s a really good thing.
