Restrooms: Upgrade to Green
Part 1: Restroom Retrofits: Fixture Technology Expands
Part 2: Restrooms: 1.6-Gallon-Per-Flush Toilets Improve Water Conservation
Part 3: High-Efficiency Toilets (HET) Contribute to LEED Certification
Part 4: Dual-Flush Toilets and LEED Certification
Part 5: The Three Applications for Lavatory Faucets
Part 6: Restrooms: Plumbing-Fixture Maintenance
Part 7: Restroom Paper Products: Standard to Address Environmental Impact
Dual-Flush Toilets and LEED Certification
By Winston Huff - October 2009
A dual-flush fixture is classified as a HET. This fixture is comprised of two different flushing options. One option uses the full flush — 1.6 or 1.28 gpf — to clear the trap, similar to a standard fixture. The second option uses less water — up to 1.1 gpf — which is enough to clear the trap of liquid waste.
Users typically realize the full-flush option is unnecessary for every use and generally take the opportunity to use less water. Dual-flush fixtures are best suited for applications in which the same people use the same restroom regularly. For LEED certification, dual-flush fixtures are recommended for use only in women's or unisex restrooms. In men's restrooms, urinals are used for liquid waste, and most toilets are used for solid waste.
