Toilet fill time is an often-overlooked aspect of water efficiency in multifamily properties. With NOWi's advanced toilet monitors, we've collected data to understand how long each toilet takes to fill per flush, offering valuable insights into the efficiency of your plumbing systems.
Understanding the Data
Using our toilet monitors, we specifically excluded any toilets with known leaks to avoid skewing the data. Despite excluding leaky toilets, we discovered significant variation in flush times among different toilets in the same building. The data revealed some intriguing trends:
Floor/Level of Building Matters: Toilets on higher floors tend to have longer fill times. This makes sense because water pressure generally decreases as you go up, leading to slower fills. The trend line in our data shows a clear increase in fill time as the floor level rises.
Varied Fill Times: Most toilets take between 25 seconds and 50 seconds to fill. However, efficient toilets, which we define as those that fill in less than 25 seconds, stand out. On the other hand, some toilets take considerably longer, pointing to inefficiencies.
Impact of Old and Inefficient Toilets: Older toilets generally have larger fill volumes, leading to longer fill times and more water wasted per flush. Outdated fill valves can also slow down the flow, exacerbating the issue.
Installation Quality: Improperly installed toilets can increase fill times and waste more water. Our data indicates that the worst-performing toilets can waste up to seven times more water than their efficient counterparts based on fill time alone.
Why Monitoring Matters
By continuously monitoring toilet fill times, property managers can identify which toilets are inefficient and may require updating or maintenance. This proactive approach can lead to significant water savings and cost reductions over time.
For example:
Efficient toilets are those that fill in less than 25 seconds. These toilets use less water per flush and are more cost-effective in the long run.Old or poorly maintained toilets may take over a minute to fill, wasting thousands of gallons of water each year. Replacing or repairing these toilets can drastically reduce water consumption.
Key Takeaways
Monitor to Optimize: Regularly monitoring your toilets’ fill times can help you determine which ones need updating. Efficient toilets save water, reduce costs, and are better for the environment.Factor in Floor Level: If you notice that toilets on higher floors are consistently taking longer to fill, it might be time to investigate the water pressure or consider installing more efficient fixtures.
Address Installation Issues: Badly installed toilets can be a hidden source of water waste. Ensuring proper installation and maintenance can prevent unnecessary water loss.
Take Action with NOWi Toilet Monitors
If you're concerned about water waste in your property and want to take control, NOWi offers a solution. Our Toilet Monitors provide real-time insights into toilet fill times and help you identify inefficiencies before they turn into costly problems. By monitoring and optimizing your toilets, you can ensure that every drop counts.
In summary, the longer it takes a toilet to fill, the more water it wastes. By identifying and addressing inefficiencies, you can significantly cut down on water usage across your property. With NOWi Sensors, you have the tools to monitor and optimize your toilets, ensuring that every drop counts.