Angie's List: Tips For Buying A New Toilet

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Did you know that toilets are the main source of water in your home?

They are responsible for 30 percent of your indoor water consumption, according to the EPA.

Replacing your old toilet with a new one can save you an average of $110 a year on your utility bills.

When it came to remodeling her bathroom, homeowner Carrie Tamminga did her homework.

Tamminga wanted a toilet that helped conserve water.

"It was really important for me to get the dual flush, because of the less water and I knew it would save on bills," she said.

Flush after flush after flush, your toilet goes through gallons of water each day.

That puts stress on rubber seals, copper pipes and the porcelain bowl.

While toilets have a long lifespan, you'll eventually have to swap yours out for a new one.

The Energy Policy Act in 1992 required all new toilets to be low-flow or low-flush.

"You can find a very basic toilet for a few hundred dollars all the way up to thousands of dollars for the state of art toilet," said Angie Hicks of Angie's List.

Homeowners can choose between a one or two piece toilet, a round or elongated bowl, different heights and many additional features.

Although an experienced do-it-yourselfer may be able to install a new toilet, most homeowners should hire a licensed plumber.

A poor installation job can cause leaks under the flooring.

"Installing a toilet in and of itself is not a real complicated job," Hicks says. "But you have to keep in mind that a toilet can be rather heavy, especially the porcelain, so you are going to need some extra hands to help you put it into place."

Angie's List says expect to pay a plumber between $125 and $250 to put in a new toilet.

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