[Greenbuilding] Toilets that Work: throttling flush volume on good perform

[CHUCK ACKERMAN]

Here's a question from a non-construction person: I work for a non-profit housing organization that develops houisng for low income families, seniors and the disabled. In order to meet certain funding requirements (Enterprise Green Communities Criteria, similar to LEED) we are considering using 1.1 gallon toilets.

We would be using both the conventional model for a single family home but also the kind where the waste does not go directly down through the floor but into the wall behind. (At least this is how it is set up now).

Do they work? Maintenance issues?  Any particular manufacturer/model to avoid or go with?  

----- Original Message ----
From: George Tremblay <George_Tremblay at antiochne.edu>
To: Jeffrey Osier-Mixon <jefro at jefro.net>
Cc: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
Sent: Friday, March 7, 2008 8:10:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Toilets that Work: throttling flush volume on good perform

Thought I'd chime in on the Briggs Vacuity, which was a recommended "best
value" model in some consumer test several years back.  I installed two of
these about 3 years ago, and while I've been very impressed with their
flushing capacity, the float valve mechanism is sticky, so we often have
to lift the lid and tap the mechanism to get the toilets to refill. 
Pretty annoying.  

George Tremblay

Jeffrey Osier-Mixon <jefro at jefro.net> writes:
>When we built this past year we installed Toto Drake toilets.  They are 
>more expensive than the American Standard, about even with the 
>Kohlers---I think we paid close to $250 for each of them, seat not 
>included but all of the hardware is.  I did a lot of research and head 
>scratching before we bought them.
>
>I never thought I would be writing this in a public forum, but I am 
>seriously impressed with these toilets.  They claim 1.6 gallons, but if 
>they use more than about half of that per flush I would be very 
>surprised.  Moreover, they don't "swirl" like your standard American (or 
>American Standard) toilet---when you operate the lever the contents of 
>the bowl just drop.  They are extremely quiet, and refill quickly 
>because they use very little water, only about half the tank unless you 
>hold the lever down. 
>
>Here are links to the units and to a review site
>http://www.totousa.com/productpage.asp?PID=188
>http://www.terrylove.com/wwwboard/messages2/42891.html
>
>No connection with Toto, just a very satisfied customer.
>
>
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