Cobb county giving rebates if you buy a low-flow toilet
Cobb County officials voted Monday night to approve a $50-$100 rebate for homes that replace older toilets with low-flow models. Newer toilets like these use 1.6 gallons per flush, versus about 3 gallons for an older toilet.
It comes at a price, though. The Toto Ultramax, apparently a popular choice, runs about $379, plus installation. The $100 rebate helps, but it’s still a significant investment.
If you can’t spend the money on a new toilet, there are still ways to reduce the per-flush water usage — just put a brick in the tank and it will save a little bit of water with every flush.
October 30th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
[...] Atlanta Water Shortage Keeping you informated about the Georgia drought. « Cobb county giving rebates if you buy a low-flow toilet [...]
November 1st, 2007 at 2:22 am
I hope that you guys are talking to people from California, where they have decades of experience dealing with similarly severe water shortages (but are also more prepared for it, with backup reservoirs aplenty).
The Toto Ultramax is expensive because it’s a really good (if basic) Japanese-designed toilet. You can get low-flush toilets as low as $50 at Home Depot, but they won’t give quite as good a flush. That said, you can also find the Ultramax for less than $379; I paid $250 for a superior model. Definitely shop around.
_Do not_ put a _real_ brick in the tank. It will corrode various bits of the toilet.
November 1st, 2007 at 2:24 am
That’s good information - thanks!
An alternative to putting a brick in the tank is to fill up a water bottle with water/sand and it’ll accomplish the same thing. Basically, anything that can displace some of the water in the tank will help save a little bit with each flush.
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:45 am
The water bottle idea is better, it’ll keep people from dropping the brick and potentially cracking the tank.
Another idea I heard somewhere (I can’t take credit) is to just bend the wire that has the ball on it downwards so the water level will stop lower down. You don’t even have to spend money/time on a bottle and sand.
November 13th, 2007 at 10:09 am
[...] Possibly a $100 per toilet rebate for people who replace older toilets with low-flow models, similar to what Cobb County did a few weeks ago. [...]
November 28th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
I am stocking the Caroma dual flush toilets which have 29 of th 76 toilets on the EPA Watersense list. These toilets are the best and they don’t clog. They are good for the $100 rebate programs
December 8th, 2007 at 11:57 am
I have compiled a list of all of the toilets Cobb County pays rebates on. If you look through the list you will find it is worth the investment. There are reasonably priced toilets that fit both the 50 and 100 dollar rebates and when you compair the savings you win hands down. When you realize 45% of your water use is through your toilet, it adds up quickly. I have listed the toilets out by Brand so it is easier for you to compare. I have also listed 3-5 oline dealers who offer free shipping with most orders, discounts and coupon savings. Also most online orders are tax free. That is like getting the tax free holiday when it isn’t offered in Ga. Also check with your accountant to see if the new toiletes give you a green tax break.
It is possible if you compare prices and service installers to actually break even if not be ahead of the game once you change. Also you will have a good feeling knowng you are doing your part in helping with the water conservation.
December 8th, 2007 at 11:59 am
I have compiled a list of all of the toilets Cobb County pays rebates on. You can view this list at http://www.blcastels.com. If you look through the list you will find it is worth the investment. There are reasonably priced toilets that fit both the 50 and 100 dollar rebates and when you compair the savings you win hands down. When you realize 45% of your water use is through your toilet, it adds up quickly. I have listed the toilets out by Brand so it is easier for you to compare. I have also listed 3-5 oline dealers who offer free shipping with most orders, discounts and coupon savings. Also most online orders are tax free. That is like getting the tax free holiday when it isn’t offered in Ga. Also check with your accountant to see if the new toiletes give you a green tax break.
It is possible if you compare prices and service installers to actually break even if not be ahead of the game once you change. Also you will have a good feeling knowng you are doing your part in helping with the water conservation.
January 1st, 2008 at 6:59 pm
We are a distributor for Caroma Dual Flush toilets. 30 out of approx. 100 models on the EPA Watersense labeled list (list of High Efficiency Toilets qualifying for the rebate), are manufactured by Caroma. Dual Flush Toilets save even more water than the widely advertised low flow models, which use 1.28 Gallons per (each) flush; Dual Flush toilets give you the option to use 0.8 (for liquid and paper waste) or 1.6 (for solid waste). On an average of 4/1 uses a day, Dual Flush toilets use 1.6 Gallons less per day. Best regards,
Andrea Paulinelli, EcoTransitions Inc.