Bathroom Toilets
It is no surprise who reigns the kingdom of Lavatory, the infamous porcelain King (a.k.a. toilet) is certainly the star of the show or at least is today. In the past our toilets contributed to a gross amount of water consumpution using an astonishing 20 Liters (5.2 gallons) of water per flush! Then came the 13 Liter (1.6 gallon) toilet which unfortunately is still in the marketplace today. However with the push to become more environmentally friendly, toilets today have been, and continue to be, revamped to become eco-friendly and more efficient.
Toilet Water Consumption Standard
In North America there are a few governing bodies which control toilet standards; the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as well as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). These associations set the standard for water consumption and will only certify toilets which meet their requirments of 6 Litres or 1.6 gallons of water per flush.
Studies have proven that toilets which have not met these requirements resulted in flushes that used too much or too little water therefore resulting in consumer dissatisfation.
Types of Toilets
Flush Toilets
The common residential toilet is of course the flush toilet. This type of toilet works by gravity. Water is stored above the toilet in a bowl where water is released into the toilet bowl by the user by pushing the flush lever. Flush toilets work well because of a part called "the S bend" or "the siphon". This part is located within the hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl. This tube is shaped like an S and connects to the sewer plumbing under the toilet. The shape of this tube creates suction which literally pulls the water and waste out of the toilet bowl and into the sewer without letting any waste or dangerous gases rise up and into the bowl.
There is a vast variety of flush toilets available in the marketplace today and many work better than others so it is important to ask your supplier or distributer questions about individual performance and efficiency.
Pros- Certain toilets are very eco-friendly and most are very affordable. They are available in many shapes and styles and are also very durable.
Cons- There are still flush toilets available which use 13 l - 1.6 gal of water which are horribly inefficient. Some toilets are not designed well and do not flush properly. Be sure to ask the right questions and research reviews.
Dual Flush Toilets
Although this toilet is the latest eco-friendly toilet to hit the market in North America it has been around for years in many countries around the world. This toilet is an important advancement for flush toilets as they offer two types of flushes: 1. 6l (1.6 gal) flush for solid waste and 2. 3l (0.79 gal) for unsolid waste.
The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) conducted a study on dual flush toilets "to assess the performance and user acceptance of dual-flush toilets". The results of their study showed that "Flush volumes were reduced by 68 per cent in single-family dwellings, 56 per cent in office washrooms, and 52 per cent in the participating restaurant." As well, "dual-flush toilets were found to save an average of 26 per cent more water than the single-flush 6-litre toilets when used to replace non-efficient toilets."
Pros- A Very eco-friendly product that is also very affordable! These toilets save a lot of water and the majority of users are very satisfied with this product.
Cons- Some are of course better than others. Some do not work as efficiently as 6l flush toilets and they are only just beginning to get recognized here in North America therefore there is a limited selection.
For more information on this study visit CMHC Dual Flush Testing
*** Tip- Check out these sites to find a wider variety of dual flush toilets! Caroma Toilets Toto Drake Toilets
Composting Toilets
Now you can take green or eco-friendly to the next level by going with a self-contained composting toilet. Although this may seem unlikely for your space they are surprisingly easy to maintain and incredibly efficient. These toilets require very little to no water at all and yes they can be used within the home! These toilets can be either electric or non-electric and come in a variety of sizes and prices.
Pros- The most efficient use of waste on the market while also using no water at all in most cases!
Cons- These units are expensive and will cost over $1000.00 to purchase. They also require ventalation that must be installed to release fumes outside. This ventalation cannot be connected to your current plumbing and therefore could result in a difficult installation process.
***Tip- Visit these websites for more information on composting toilets! www.letsgogreen.com / www.envirolet.com
Modern / High-Tech Toilets
Leave it to the Japanese to be the leaders in high-tech toilet design. Their efforts in this field are difficult to imagine but if your pocket book allows you can experience it first hand! Who knew that in the future our humble toilet would in fact be able to check urine samples and take our blood pressure! The concept for this toilet was born out of preventative medicine allowing the owners of this device to get a check up at home while also using the facility for it's more practical purpose! Incorporating this toilet into the home allows families to keep track of their health on a day to day basis, eliminating the need for regular check-ups unless tests on the intelligence toilet suggest otherwise!
Pros- Obviously this toilet is good for your health! High-tech toilets are also designed to reduce water usage as well.
Cons- The average person could not justify the price of such a toilet, they are very expensive. They also require the use of electricity.
***Tip- Check out the site for yourself and see what Japan is up to!!
The Intelligence ToiletSquat Toilets
A toilet you will most likely never see unless travelling in more Eastern Countries is the squat toilet. Although this toilet immediately strikes an uncomfortable and unsanitary assumption it is actually quite the opposite. The physical position taken in order to use this toilet is physiologically more proper and logical than that of the position we take on a flush toilet!
These toilets are located flush on the ground using very little water and work in a very similar way to our toilet bowls. After using this toilet the user then pours a small amount of water into the bowl until the waste is removed. This is done by either a hose of water or a bucket of water depending on the facility. As the water level rises the waste is again sucked out and into the sewer. These toilets are said to be more sanitary than flush toilets as there is no contact with the toilet and it is also said to be less expensive and easier to clean and maintain.
Pros- Inexpensive, sanitary and very eco-friendly.
Cons- Well the obvious...not many guests in your home would appreciate the concept of this toilet!
When it comes to purchasing the most important feature in the bathroom it pays to do a little research. First and foremost do your best to honour this planet and consider the dual flush toilet as this is an efficient product and also very affordable. However if you have the money to spend, a little more "intelligence" is always helpful!!
