Three companies unveiled their take on the high-efficiency toilet at the 2013 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in New Orleans. All carry the EPA's WaterSense label but take advantage of unique technologies to do so. According to the EPA, a WaterSense-certified toilet saves a family of four $20 per month compared to a traditional 1.6-gallon toilet, and according to Sam Rose, director of showrooms at Ferguson Enterprises, consumers hesitant to try low-flow showerheads or faucets are more willing to try high-efficiency toilets.
Mansfield’s Cascade uses a unique bowl design and swirling flush action to stay cleaner longer, according to the company. Using only 1.28 gallons per flush, the swirling action is created by visible holes at the top of the bowl, which help combat dirt and stains. Mansfield Plumbing. From $139.
KOHLER’s Dual-Flush Trip Lever toilets provide the familiarity of a lever-handle flush actuator with a two-toned lever located on the side of the tank, just like a traditional toilet. Available on three of Kohler’s most popular models, the lever provides a 1.1 gallon light flush or a 1.6 gallon full flush. Kohler.
Toto’s Drake II IG toilet uses just one gallon of water per flush. The first gravity-fed model to do so, the product uses a dual-nozzle Double Cyclone flushing system and is glazed with sanagloss, an ion barrier that helps clean the bowl with every flush. The Universal Height unit is also ADA height compliant and CalGreen complaint. Toto USA. $580.
