GPF for toilets stands for “gallons per flush.” It is a measurement of how much water is used to create an effective flush once the toilet lever is activated.
It is an important measurement to consider because the average household in the United States consumes 30% of its water through toilet flushing. By reducing how much water is used per flush, tremendous water savings can be obtained. Water-efficient models can save up to 7,000 gallons of water per person, per year.
What Are the GPF Requirements for a Toilet?
To meet current water consumption requirements, toilets manufactured after July 1, 2016 can often flush on just 1.28 gallons per flush. For models manufactured before 2016, the GPF requirement was 1.5 to meet WaterSense standards. In the United States, the current standard is 1.6 gallons per flush.
Some models prefer to use an LPF measurement instead, which stands for “liters per flush.” The requirement is the same as the GPF requirement. The current standard is 6 liters per flush.
Older toilets can use much more water. Toilets that are up to 10 years old may use 2-4 gallons per flush. Older toilets sometimes used up to 6 gallons of water per flush.
How to Improve Water Use with Older Toilets
If you are not in a position to upgrade an older toilet, there are still some ways that you can save water. One of the easiest ways to improve water consumption is to install an adjustable flapper and a toilet tank bag. For a toilet that uses 6 GPF, these two modifications can offer a 50% reduction in water consumption immediately.
Installing a fill-cycle diverter, which connects to the overflow tube and fill line, and divert extra water from the bowl into the tank instead of it going down the drain. This can save an additional half-gallon per flush.
For those with a tight budget, you can still reduce your water consumption by eliminating space within the toilet tank. Find a brick or a concrete paving stone that fits within the tank and carefully place it inside. Although the material will degrade over time, you’ll save 1-3 gallons of water per flush.
By knowing your GPF rating, you’ll better understand how much water you’re actually using. That is the first step toward reducing your water consumption footprint.