You have probably already heard that the toilet is the biggest water waster in a house. Unless you take a couple of baths a day or do something unusual with water your toilet is responsible for 30 to 40 percent of all the water used in a household. That's a lot of water... Older toilets had on average a 3 ½ gallon tank that could push those stats even higher. Water is becoming more and more precious and expensive to flushing it down is probably not a good idea if you don't have to.

Most new toilets are of the 1.6 gallon variety and right off the bat use almost half the water of the old ones. Some of manufactures are even going as low as 1.3 gallons which is a major reduction versus the older 70's style behemoths. There are other benefits to newer models as well. Insulated tanks and bowl areas help prevent condensation on the outside of the toilet. This condensation can otherwise drip and cause water damage and mold growth at the base. Bidets built into toilets are also becoming popular and a worth considering if an upgrade is at hand.

Upgrading or replacing a toilet it not a major project in most cases. If the size remains roughly the same and the bolts that secure things down are not too corroded and afternoon is usually all that is needed by a plumber or a handyman. Remember to replace the floor seal with a new one and if possible use new bolts. Coat the bolts and nuts with anti-seize compound so the job is easy the next time round.