Why Flush When You Can Dual Flush?

Okay. That didn’t take long. I have an odd obsession with dual-flush toilets. I’m a tech guy and of course guys like gadgets. So instead of buying tech gadgets, I obsess over odd things like dual-flush toilets. It is just amazing to me how much potable water that we flush down the drain - literally. America never ceases to boggle my mind on how far behind many parts of the world we are regarding items like these.

What is a dual flush toilet? Its self-explanatory, really. There is a half-flush (0.8gal) option for liquid waste (#1) and a full-flush (1.6gal) option for solid waste (#2). Although, many people that I’ve read about only ever need to use the half-flush, even for solids. They are more prominent in Asia and Europe. Australia makes my favorite. Canada is on the bandwagon. Even parts of California gives rebates for purchasing a dual-flush toilet.

I applaud Kohler for making a beautiful dual-flush toilet here in the States. They should be more readily available, but they aren’t. I go to Lowes and Home Depot and everytime I’m near the bath section I look for a dual-flush and find nothing. Much to my shock and awe, we were at Costco this past weekend. There was one toilet on display and it was a dual-flush for only $199. It was pretty nice - one solid piece - tank and bowl as one piece. The only problem I had with it was that it wasn’t a brand I knew (to get replacement parts) and the liquid waste flush used 1.1gal instead of 0.8gal.

If you happen to be working on greening your office space or commercial building, there are dual-flush handles available. These act in the same way, just for commercial, tankless installations. Maybe you don’t want to buy a new toilet because they are very expensive. Another option for you is to retrofit your existing toilet to a dual-flush system. TwoFlush.com sells a couple different kits. The easiest is the replacement handle part. The other is an entire new tank that fits on any standard North American bowl. The cheapest option, albiet not the most efficient -yet better than nothing, is to place a brick or something in the tank to displace the water it needs to fill the tank.

My dream toilet is the Caroma from Australia. They aren’t cheap, but I’m in love…yes…in love with a toilet. Watch this video and maybe you’ll understand my obsession. I view them as the Dyson of toilets. They re-engineered the standard toilet so its not a siphon flush. Watch the link above for some news coverage. Now if I can get the one with the tank sink - wow…

We’ll talk about waterless urinals and the Aqus system another time - and if you want a dual-flush toilet in Chicago - go to Greenmaker Supply.