Have you ever wondered why modern toilets have two different flush buttons or levers? You’ve probably noticed that one button is smaller than the other, but do you know what they’re for? Let’s dive into the fascinating world of dual flush toilets!
The Dual Flush Concept
Modern toilets are often designed with two separate flush options. These toilets come with two levers or buttons—one larger and one smaller. Each button is connected to a different exit valve inside the toilet, and the sizes of the buttons actually serve a purpose.
What is the reason behind this? It’s all about conserving water.
The dual flush system helps save water by offering a choice based on what you need to flush. The larger button releases around 6 to 9 liters of water, and is typically used for flushing solid waste. The smaller button uses only about 3 to 4.5 liters of water, and it’s meant for flushing liquid waste, like urine.
How Much Water Do You Really Save?
You might be wondering, “How much water can I really save by using the dual flush system?” Well, the answer is quite impressive! By switching to a dual flush toilet, a household can save up to 20,000 liters of water every year. That’s a lot of water!
Not only does this help the environment, but it also lowers your water bills. While dual flush toilets may cost a little more to install than a standard toilet, the savings in water usage quickly make up for it.
Where Did Dual Flush Toilets Come From?
The idea of the dual flush toilet wasn’t always around. It was actually created by Victor Papanek, an American industrial designer. In his book Design for the Real World (published in 1976), Papanek introduced the concept of a toilet that could conserve water by offering two different flushing options.
Australia was the first country to adopt this idea, and they made dual flush toilets widely available starting in 1980.
How to Use Your Dual Flush Toilet Like a Pro
Next time you’re using a dual flush toilet, try to be mindful of which button you press. It’s easy! If you’re just flushing urine, use the smaller button. This button might be marked with a symbol like a small raindrop or a half circle to show that it’s the “small flush.”
But if you need to flush solid waste, make sure to press the larger button. The larger button may be marked with a more obvious symbol, like a full circle or another clear visual clue. This way, you can help conserve water every time you use the toilet.
What do you think about the dual flush system? Isn’t it cool that one small change can make such a big difference for the planet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
