Page 12 - Ultimate Bathroom Planning Guide

Toilets
Look for new designs that conserve water, enhance comfort, and ease cleaning tasks.
EFFICIENT PERFORMANCE
New technology allows toilets to use less water without sacrificing performance. Today, the standard toilet uses 1.6 gallons per flush rather than the 3 to 7 gallons used by older models—and some new models offer even greater water savings. Since toilets account for nearly 30 percent of resi- dential water usage, purchasing an efficient toilet can greatly decrease your home’s water usage.
High-efficiency toilets employ powerful flushing systems and typically use 1.28 gallons per flush, instead of the standard 1.6. Dual-flush models incorporate two different buttons
to allow you to choose between a 0.8-and-1.6 gallon flush. When shopping, look for a WaterSense-labeled product that has been tested to ensure both high efficiency and strong performance.
COMFORT FEATURES
New toilets offer style and comfort, as well as performance. Look for these features when shopping:
COMFORT-HEIGHT MODELS stand at chair height, making it easier to get up and down.
ELONGATED BOWLS offer greater comfort.
(Although keep in mind that round bowls take up less space, so they may be a better choice for a small bathroom.)
WIDER FLAPPER VALVES and larger trapways decrease the potential for clogging.
QUIET-CLOSE HINGES ensure the toilet seat never slams.
TRANSITIONAL TOILET SEATS
for young children are integrated into some standard toilet seats, eliminating the need to take potty-training seats on and off the family toilet.
SLEEK DESIGNS with concealed trapways and one-piece construction ease cleaning tasks.
SPEND SMART: Bidets offer a
cleansing spray of water, as well
as deluxe features such as adjustable water temperature and heated seats. If you want this top-of-the-line technology at a more affordable price point, look for bidet seats that can be attached to existing toilet seats.
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