Reduce Water Use
Reduce Water Use | Toilet Upgrades and Replacements | Plumbing | Rogersville
Looking to trim your water bill without sacrificing comfort? HEP’s licensed plumbers in Rogersville specialize in toilet upgrades and replacements that combine modern efficiency with dependable performance. We swap out dated, high-gallon models for WaterSense-certified fixtures that use up to 60 % less water per flush—saving thousands of gallons every year and putting money back in your pocket.
From quick, clean installations to hauling away your old unit, our team handles everything. Choose from sleek dual-flush designs, pressure-assisted options, or ADA-compliant heights, all backed by transparent pricing and HEP’s industry-leading warranties. Schedule your free in-home estimate today and see how simple it can be to conserve water, boost home value, and enjoy a fresher bathroom experience.
FAQs
How much water can I save by upgrading to a high-efficiency toilet (HET)?
Older toilets made before 1994 typically use 3.5–7 gallons per flush (gpf). Current federal plumbing code limits new models to 1.6 gpf, and WaterSense-certified HETs go even lower at 1.28 gpf or less. For a family of four that flushes about 16 times a day, replacing a 3.5 gpf toilet with a 1.28 gpf model saves roughly 13,000–16,000 gallons of water per year. At Rogersville’s average residential water/sewer rate of about $0.0075 per gallon, that can mean $95–$120 in annual utility savings—paying back the cost of the new fixture in as little as two to three years while conserving a valuable resource.
What kinds of water-saving toilets are available, and which style is best for my Rogersville home?
You can choose from several WaterSense-certified options: (1) Gravity HETs (1.28 gpf) that rely on redesigned bowls and larger trapways; (2) Dual-flush toilets that use about 0.8 gpf for liquids and 1.28 gpf for solids, letting users pick the volume they need; (3) Pressure-assist or vacuum-assist models that deliver a strong 1.0–1.2 gpf flush with compressed air; and (4) Ultra-high-efficiency toilets (UHETs) that go as low as 0.8–1.0 gpf. The “best” unit depends on your existing rough-in size, water pressure, noise tolerance, desired bowl height, and budget. During our in-home estimate we measure the rough-in, check supply pressure, discuss comfort-height vs. standard bowls, and recommend brands that have proven reliable in the Ozarks’ hard-water conditions.
Are there rebates or incentives for replacing an old toilet with a low-flow model in Rogersville?
While the City of Rogersville doesn’t currently run its own rebate program, area homeowners may still qualify for savings: • City Utilities of Springfield’s WaterSense Rebate offers up to $50 per high-efficiency toilet for customers on CU water service. • Missouri American Water periodically provides bill credits for WaterSense fixtures—watch its website for application windows. • Federal tax credits for water-saving upgrades have lapsed, but may return; we’ll alert you if new legislation passes. Our office helps you complete all rebate paperwork, supplies the necessary model numbers and receipts, and can haul your old porcelain to the recycling center so it doesn’t end up in the landfill.
Will a low-flow toilet flush as well as my current standard toilet?
Yes—today’s WaterSense toilets must remove at least 350 g of test media in a single flush to earn certification, and many popular models score 600–1,000 g in independent MaP testing, outperforming the 250–300 g typical of 1990s 1.6 gpf units. Manufacturers achieve this with fully glazed trapways, optimized bowl geometry, larger 2⅛–2⅜-inch outlets, and powerful siphon or pressure-assist designs. In real-world use our customers report fewer double-flushes and clogs than with their previous 3.5 gpf toilets, all while using 60 % less water.
What is involved in replacing an old toilet, and how long does the job take?
A standard replacement usually takes 1–2 hours: 1) shut off water, drain tank, and disconnect supply line; 2) unbolt and remove the old tank and bowl; 3) inspect the closet flange and repair or shim if it’s corroded or below finished floor level; 4) set a new wax ring (or polyurethane gasket for flange-even or above-floor installs); 5) position and level the new bowl, tighten closet bolts, and apply sanitary caulk; 6) mount the tank (if two-piece), connect the supply, and adjust fill valve; 7) test flush performance, dye-test for leaks, and haul away the old unit for recycling. If we encounter a cracked flange, rotten subfloor, or lead drain bend, we’ll discuss repair options on the spot; most issues can still be fixed the same day.
How do I maintain my new water-efficient toilet so it keeps saving water?
1) Use mild, non-abrasive cleaners—avoid in-tank chlorine tablets that can degrade rubber seals and void some warranties. 2) Once a year, inspect or replace the flapper (or pressure-assist cartridge) and clean the fill-valve screen to keep the metered flush volume accurate. 3) Check for silent leaks by adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank; if color appears in the bowl after 10 minutes, contact us for service. 4) Keep the water level set to the factory mark inside the tank—higher water won’t improve performance and wastes water. 5) Never flush “flushable” wipes, cotton swabs, or dental floss; they can lodge in the efficient 1.28 gpf trapway and cancel out water savings by causing repeat flushes or blockages. Following these simple steps will help your new toilet deliver reliable, low-cost operation for 20–30 years.