When the very first flush toilets were designed, there was no consideration given to conserving water. The principal goal was to make sure the contents of the bowl were entirely washed away with one flush. The first patent in America for the toilet was given in 1857. It was called a “plunger closet”. This concept was perfected six decades later with the introduction of the vortex flushing bowl in 1907 which brought water in around the rim and created a circular motion that cleared the sides while emptying the bowl. This is basically the very same design we use today. All was good in the Kingdom of Commodes.
In the 1990s, however, Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 1992 requiring that manufacturers develop toilets that use less water. By 1994, any new toilet installed in a home or business could only use 1.6 gallons per flush. Earlier, toilets used about 3.5 gallons. Though this was a great move for conserving water, the reality was that consumers didn’t want the new toilets mainly because they just didn’t flush adequately. In fact, some types took 2-3 flushes to clear the bowl, basically using as much or more water than a conventional flush toilet and negating the reason they were designed to begin with.
It didn’t take the industry long to come to the conclusion that they needed a better design. Manufacturers worked on the design and made what we presently know as HETs or High Efficiency Toilets. These new toilets use even less water per flush (1.28 gallons or less) and work much better. Some are pressure assisted and the Duoset type even boasts two buttons to give you the choice of using two flush levels. If it is just fluid being flushed, the smallest quantity can be used to further preserve water.
There are a lot of models to choose from and as is the case with any product, some are better than others. Most are obtainable through home improvement stores but some brands are exclusively sold by plumbing companies. Check with your local plumber to ask them which manufacturer they suggest. They can tell you which ones are loud, which flush the best, clog the least, etc. There is a rating system for flush toilets based on a MaP score (Maximum Performance). The EPA says a minimum score of 350 is the minimum score acceptable for HETs. The highest score is 1,000. Naturally, price ranges vary significantly, so shop around, do your research and you’ll find the correct toilet in the appropriate price range for you.
