Pressure-assisted toilets have powerful flushing capability. They differ from standard toilets because of an added pressure valve installed in the toilet tank. This gives more power per flush while using less water.
The primary benefit of purchasing a pressure-assisted toilet is its energy efficiency and consequent cost savings for homeowners. On average, a pressure-assisted toilet will conserve over 2,000 gallons of water per year. This translates to lower water bills. The drawback of pressure-assisted toilets is the upfront cost. They have much larger price tags than standard toilets.
Pressure-assisted toilets are becoming more popular in residential bathrooms because of their powerful flushes, cleaner toilet bowl, and overall efficiency. Understanding how pressure-assisted toilets work and the primary benefits of installing one will help you pick the best toilet for your bathroom.
What is a Pressure-Assisted Toilet and How Do They Work?
Pressure-assisted toilets were originally designed for commercial use. However, as building regulations became more restrictive regarding the maximum amount of gallons a toilet can use per flush, pressure-assisted toilets have become more popular in residential bathrooms.
Standard toilets use gravity to flush. Pressure-assisted toilets have pressure valves in the toilet tank. This pushes the water through the toilet bowl more powerfully than a gravity toilet.
Pressure-assisted toilets are also called power-flush toilets.
The Benefits of A Pressure-Assisted Toilet
Pressure-assisted toilets have several benefits. The most obvious is its powerful flushing capabilities. This prevents clogs and keeps the toilet cleaner for longer. Pressure-assisted toilets are energy-efficient and can help homeowners save money on water bills and plumbing repairs.
Reduced Your Energy Bill
Pressure-assisted toilets are the most money-saving toilets on the market. Despite their powerful flushing capabilities, pressure-assisted toilets use less water than standard gravity toilets. Pressure-assisted toilets can use as little as 1.1-1.2 gallons of water per flush. The average household can save up to 2,000 gallons of water per year by purchasing a pressure-assisted toilet.
Not only will you use less water per flush, but pressure-assisted toilets also require fewer flushes to dispel waste. You will flush the toilet less often, saving water.
These two factors will significantly decrease your home’s water bill.
They’re More Efficient
Pressure-assisted toilets are very efficient. They use less water than standard toilets. This helps conserve water. Water is a valuable natural energy resource. Keeping water usage low, reducing your overall carbon footprint.
Sending less water through your toilet has advantages for your overall plumbing system. Pressure-assisted toilets flush less water through your pipes, extending the lifetime of your entire plumbing system.
Smaller Footprint
Pressure-assisted toilets were first popular in commercial design because of their efficiency, powerful flushes, and compact design. Pressure-assisted toilets are significantly smaller than gravity toilets.
Homes with small bathrooms and half bathrooms benefit from installing pressure-assisted toilets. They fit better in small areas. Their compact design is sleeker and looks better in cramped spaces.
Pressure-assisted toilets are also much lighter than standard toilets. This is helpful if you are installing toilets on the second or third floors of homes. Carrying a pressure-assisted toilet up several flights of stairs is easier to lift and maneuver than a traditional gravity-flushing toilet.
No Condensation
In humid climates, condensation can gather on the outside of standard toilet tanks. This can cause a number of problems.
- The tepid water is a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. There is enough of a risk of bacteria growth in the bathroom. You don’t want your toilet tank to contribute to that too!
- Condensation can drip down the toilet onto the floor. Areas that are susceptible to high humidity have an increased risk of water build-up on toilet tanks. A large amount of water falling on the floor will create damage. It can also increase the chance of mildew or mold growing. In severe cases, water damage can even lead to rot.
- Condensation puts moisture in the air. The moisture can damage cabinetry or other wood or laminate fixtures in the bathroom. It is dangerous to have moisture consistently build up on hard surfaces. Mildew and mold will grow.
Pressure-assisted toilets have pressure valves in the toilet tanks. This prevents condensation from forming. Pressure-assisted toilets are a smart choice for people who live in humid climates.
Stay Cleaner for Longer
The bathroom is probably every homeowner’s least favorite spot to clean. The good news is that pressure-assisted toilets can self-clean better than standard toilets. This means it will take less time to clean your bathroom!
The powerful flushes of pressure-assisted toilets clean the toilet bowl. The high-pressure water pushed solid and liquid waste through the toilet easily. It also removes skid marks or waste remnants. This keeps the bowl cleaner, while also removing bacteria that can cause germs. Clean toilet bowls also smell better.
The intense flush of a pressure-assisted toilet helps to keep your toilet cleaner for longer. You will not need to scrub a pressure-assisted toilet as often as a standard toilet.
More Powerful
Pressure-assisted toilets provide a powerful flush. This pushes solid and liquid waste through the toilet easily. Powerful flushes result in fewer clogs. There is less of a chance of toilet paper or solid waste blocking up the plumbing.
Constant clogs can damage your plumbing system. The powerful flush of pressure-assisted toilets will preserve your pipes and protect against extensive plumbing damage.
Cons of A Pressure-Assisted Toilet
While the performance of a pressure-assisted toilet surpasses that of a standard toilet, there are some downsides to its powerful flush. Pressure-assisted toilets are noisier. They are also more expensive to purchase.
More Expensive
Pressure-assisted toilets are at least double the price of a standard toilet. While you pay more upfront, the cost savings on water and plumbing repairs usually outweighs the ticket price of a pressure-assisted toilet. This chart compares pressure-assisted toilets to standard gravity toilets. To make the comparison as even as possible, we chose toilets from Kohler as an example of a standard toilet and a pressure-assisted toilet.
| Model | Type of Toilet | Prices | Manufacturer Photos |
| Kohler K-3493-0(does not include seat or supply line) | Pressure-Assisted | Starting at $430Buy on Amazon |  |
| Kohler Elmbrook Single Flush | Standard Gravity | Starting at $200Buy at Home Depot |  |
Aside from the price and water valves, these two toilets also have a few important differences. The pressure-assisted toilet does not come with a seat. That needs to be purchased separately and adds to the cost. In addition, the pressure-assisted toilet uses 1.6 gallons per flush whereas the standard toilet only uses 1.28 gallons per flush.
The designs of these toilets are also very different. Both models are two-piece constructions. However, you can see that the pressure-assisted toilet is much smaller and sleeker. The standard toilet has a more substantial base.
On average, pressure-assisted toilets cost at least twice as much as standard gravity toilets. While it costs more to buy one initially, there are significant long-term cost savings associated with pressure-assisted toilets due to their high rate of efficiency.
Louder Flushes
The intense flush from a pressure-assisted toilet comes with a lot of noise. The combination of pressure and gravity creates a forceful push that sends water and waste through your plumbing easily. However, that power creates a much louder noise. While this may not seem like a serious problem, it can be inconvenient if your bathroom is near living areas like dining rooms or family rooms. The loud flush can also be intimidating to children who are potty-training.
Pressure-Assisted Toilet Problems
The main issue with pressure-assisted toilets is difficulty in finding replacement parts. These toilets have fewer moving parts than a standard toilet. All in all, there are fewer opportunities for pressure-assisted toilets to break. However, when they do, it can be expensive.
Because of the scarcity of parts, the cost to repair is usually quite high. This is especially important to keep in mind if you only have one bathroom in your house. It could take several weeks to get parts for a pressure-assisted toilet. Your bathroom could be out of commission for a while, causing quite an inconvenience for your family.
Pressure-assisted toilets are also harder to flush. You need to press harder to activate the pressure valve. This can be tricky for little kids or elderly people. Standard toilets that use gravity to flush take less effort and strength to use.
A unique design concern with pressure-assisted toilets is that they come in two pieces. Most standard toilets are one-piece. Despite being smaller, the two-piece design of pressure-assisted toilets can make them seem clunky and less contemporary.
Finally, pressure-assisted toilets are expensive to buy. When budgeting for a bathroom remodel, consider the pros and cons of pressure-assisted toilets to see if it is worth the extra cost for you and your family.
How Much Does a Pressure-Assisted Toilet Cost?
The average price of a pressure-assisted toilet is at least twice that of a standard toilet. Some of the most popular models are outlined below. Remember, while they are expensive upfront, you will realize future savings on your water bills!
| Model and Brand | Available Colors | Gallons per Flush | Prices | Manufacturer Photos |
| Kohler K-3493-0(does not include seat or supply line) | White, Black, Cream | 1.6 Gallon | Starting at $430Buy on Amazon | |
| American Standard 2462016.020 | White | 1.6 Gallon | Starting at $264Buy on Amazon |  |
| Zurn EcoVantage | White | 1.28 Gallon | Starting at $520Buy at Home Depot |  |
| WinZo WZ5888 | White | 1.28 Gallon | Starting at $380Buy on Amazon |  |
Pressure-assisted toilets are increasing in popularity for home use. It is the most energy-efficient toilet available. Homeowners will reap thousands of dollars in savings on energy bills.
Pressure-assisted toilets are easy to maintain and cleaner than standard toilets. Toilets are long-term investments. Weight the difference in purchase cost versus lifetime savings to determine the best model for your home.
Top Tip: Check with your local and state legislatures for toilet rebates. To promote water conservation and energy efficiency, local governments offer rebates on toilets that use less water per flush. This will help cut down the initial cost of purchasing a pressure-assisted toilet.
Ruben has a diverse background in the home services industry, with experience running a construction company, a kitchen and bath showroom, and a moving and relocation company. This breadth of experience has provided him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in various areas of home improvement in general and specifically in the heating and plumbing niche.