It is common knowledge that a massive portion of water wastage in an average household occurs in the bathroom, specifically in the toilet. In fact, a traditional toilet needs 1.6 GPF (gallons per flush).
Now, two decades later, there are 1.28 GPF toilets available on the market that are far more economical and friendlier for the environment. In our 1.28 VS. 1.6 GPF Toilets comparison, we’ll compare their features that will help our readers to decide which one is ideal for their home!
About the 1.28 GPF Toilets
Even though 1.28 GPF toilets can look exactly similar to any other toilet you come across, there are some obvious differences, even if they are not visible at first glance. Let us break them down to show you how they are beneficial.
Saves Water
As the name suggests, a 1.28 GPF toilet uses up much less water per flush than a 1.6 GPF toilet. This might not seem like a very convincing factor to change your toilet to a 1.28 GPF, but it will definitely affect the water bill!
With a recent version, you are saving one-third gallons of water toilet in every flush. In a household of three and more members, this adds up to quite a significant amount every month.
This stark difference can be up to 48 gallons of water saved per person monthly and will undisputedly help you save money and reduce water waste.
Are You Saving Water If You Need to Flush Twice?
Unfortunately, some 1.6 GPF flushes aren’t powerful enough to successfully remove all the waste in the bowl with a single flush, as there is a lower volume of water, meaning less pressure. They can leave behind “skid marks” too! At that point, you have no choice but to flush twice.
This means that you are actually using 2.56 gallons of water per flush, which is far more than a single 1.6 GPF toilet, completely defeating the toilets’ purpose of conserving water.
Power Flushes
Thankfully, this problem has not gone unnoticed, and manufacturers are working on a design that ensures that the same amount of water can be used to flush a toilet without going for “seconds.”
Since the power of the flush can depend on factors other than the volume of water, such as the height of the bowl, swirl, and water pressure, we know it is an achievable goal. There is always room for improvement!
Minimum Noise
Another obvious benefit of a 1.28 GPF toilet is that it is far quieter than a typical 1.6 GPF toilet. It is not really a consequential trait, but it is a major plus!
It is much less of a hassle at night for light sleepers and can help you avoid awkward interactions with guests in a silent room after using the loo. Another bonus is that it does not scare babies or children as much with the noise!
About the 1.6 GPF Toilets
Now that we have covered the 1.28 GPF toilets, it is only fair that we go over the more traditional and common 1.6 GPF toilets properly as well. As mentioned above, these toilets do not differ much in appearance and use from a 1.28 GPF toilet.
Despite that, you might actually end up preferring these old models until the newer ones are perfected.
The Volume Is Important
The principal difference between the 1.28 GPF toilet and the 1.6 GPF toilet is, as their names reveal, the volume of water that each uses per flush. They are much louder and can be a nuisance for rooms attached to or even simply near a bathroom, especially at night when the sound echoes much more deafeningly.
A 1.6 GPF toilet uses a significantly more amount of water in the toilet. We have already broken down the calculations that can reflect on your water bill, and You should be aware that while 1.28 gallons per flush may be a little less than the water needed, 1.6 gallons is certainly too much.
In the U.S.A, the difference between a 1.6 GPF vs. 1.28 GPF adds up to 600 million gallons used each day and can so easily be saved if citizens switch to the more conservative 1.28 GPF toilets.
Flush Is Powerful
On the flip side, though, these flushes do not have to be activated twice to get the job done. The 1.6 GPF toilet’s powerful flushes are effective!
It is a matter of personal opinion on whether these flushes are a reasonable trade-off. As we said, the 1.6 GPF toilets waste more than it uses to get rid of the waste, and eventually, with the way Global Warming is quickly reaching its peak, switching to the 1.28 toilets is going to be inevitable.
What’s the Amount of Water Being Wasted?
We have given you a vague calculation above about the amount of water wasted. However, we want to get down to the details to help you clearly see exactly how much water can be saved by switching from a 1.6 GPF toilet to a 1.28 GPF toilet.
Studies show that an average person uses the toilet up to 5 times a day. In a typical household with 4 members, this means that the toilet is flushed 20 times a day.
Multiplying this by the gallons of water used, a 1.6 GPF toilet uses 32 gallons of water every day. On the other hand, the 1.28 GPF toilet uses less than 26 gallons.
Now, in a month, we multiply this number by 30 days. This means that a 1.6 GPF toilet uses 960 gallons of water and a 1.28 GPF toilet uses 768 gallons of water. The difference between the amounts is palpable and is even starker when calculated per annum.
Water Vs. Time: Which One You Want to Save
Despite everything we have told you, it all comes down to preference. It is obvious that a 1.28 GPF toilet is superior, and there is a valid reason the 1.6 GPF toilets were upgraded to these. They conserve water and help the environment as well as your water bills.
However, they require more frequent cleaning, which is not needed with 1.6 GPF toilets.
Quick Look: Our Top Choices
Now that we have provided you with the information necessary to make a decision, we do have a recommendation for each type of toilet!
Our Favorite 1.28 GPF Toilet: KOHLER Cimarron
The KOHLER Cimarron is a great pick for the modern 1.28 GPF toilets, and at a reasonable price too!
It has a traditional look and is compact in size. A major advantage is that it is at a comfortable height, especially advantageous for people with disabilities and elderly members of the family.
The Cimarron has an Aqua Piston gravity flush system that is highly efficient and can remove waste quite efficiently compared to other 1.28 GPF toilets.
Our Favorite 1.6 GPF Toilet: Woodbridge Dual Flush One-Piece Toilet
The Woodbridge Dual Flush One-Piece Toilet is one of the top 1.6 GPF toilets in the market, and for a good reason too. This dual flush toilet gives you control over the gallons of water used in every flush and is known to surpass the American Standard Regulations with its functionalities.
Even though the price does not reflect it, the model can definitely be considered a premium piece. The toilet is designed to minimize clogs, is comfortable to use, and super easy to install and maintain too!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best GPF for a toilet?
In terms of conserving water and minimizing water bills, the 1.28 GPF toilets are superior. On the other hand, 1.6 GPF toilets are more powerful and will get the job done in a single flush.
2. What is the standard GPF for toilets?
Currently, a standard toilet is 1.6 GPF.
3. Are all toilets 1.6 GPF?
Generally, typical toilets are 1.6 GPF, and they are considered the standard. However, if you look for older models, they can be 5.5 GPF, and more recent models are 1.28 GPF.
Conclusion
Before 1992, which is when the 1.6 GPF toilets that we use now were developed, each toilet could use up to 2.5 to 3.6 GPF, which is almost twice as much as we use today!
It actually used to be much more water wasted in even earlier years. Before 1980, toilets could use up even 8 GPF, meaning that each person using the bathroom flushed down 40 gallons of water per day.
We hope our guide on 1.28 VS. 1.6 GPF toilets has been informative and can help you decide which would be the best toilets to buy for your home!
