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Yes, yes. I had suggested I would get a new toilet for my mother. Which didn't look like it was going to happen, what with two water heaters and all. With the return of the sump pump, the lower cost of the water heaters (at least the first one), and a bit of looking, the possibility started creeping into my mind. The thing is I don't want a bad toilet. I've done as much research as possible, leading me to believe Toto makes superior toilets. The thing is, they can be a bit pricey. Still, I wanted to dig a bit.
While doing a bit of review I saw that people with a hip or knee replacement have great difficulty, and even can have physical problems from, using short toilets. Oh? My mother has had both knees and one hip, I think. Plus two back surgeries. It shouldn't hurt to... well... poo! No, I'll take care of that. But it isn't just that. I am a giant. Squatting on a normal toilet is... almost demeaning. I have mostly gotten used to it, but... Well, and at twice the size of a normal man, I... drop twice the load. Just... saying. I really do. Compare the scat from a poodle and a German shepherd for an example, or a Rottweiler. I need a solid flusher. The ones I have choke, needing plunging and two to three flushes sometimes. Not cool. So a big toilet that is a good flusher is good no matter what else. My mother visiting just makes the cost more amenable and timing a little more sure.
I looked online, compared a number of options and models, then picked this one. The best price I seemed to be able to find was about $352, which put it just a bit out of reach. Then I noticed something. There were many colors to choose from. Something I had come to realize when ordering my kitchen faucet was that color, or material, mattered as to price. At least that seemed possible. So I started checking through colors. The color I started with was sedona beige. They also had bone, ebony, cotton white, cotton, and colony white. All more expensive than colony white, which was $188? I don't get it, and don't care. That seemed to put it in range. Then I checked for shipping. Ugh! That jumped the price to $260 and change. American standard offered some, locally, for as little as $130-$170, but they weren't ADA... and... have varying reviews.
Ah, but first I wanted to check local prices. After a bit of looking... $210... but just for the tank! The bowl is $170, not including tax. At, what, 6%... that is... $402.80. So much for local! Yeah, it could arrive cracked/broken. But that is relatively easy to deal with. It will just be a little longer before the install. Which... honestly... would terribly hurt my feelings, if you know what I mean? *grins* Anyway... I did go back online, to the inexpensive source, and made sure I was indeed ordering the complete toilet, not just a tank or bowl. Yep. Tank and bowl, both, so... I pulled the plug and dropped a... credit dime.
By the time my mother arrives I will have at least one new hot water heater, a new kitchen faucet, and a new toilet installed. I might have another hot water heater as well, so two full working bathrooms. While I would like a smaller water heater, I think a standard size will fit. It will simply fill more space above what the old one did, but... that space is useless anyway. I guess I hate the idea of paying more money, or even the same amount, for a water heater that offers half the volume. It feels like I am being cheated somehow. I would rather pay a little more to heat a little more water than have to skimp, all for height space I don't use? While I appreciate economy, I'm not going to skimp and get rooked for a few dollars in electricity. I think going to the 40 gallon would work well though. It actually has a largeish price difference. Yes, yes, that too, I suppose. I'll figure finances back out over the winter.
I will end up with a new home before I know it, if it bankrupts me! She'll be shiny and I'll be broke. Ah, but I do have a bit of food around, so I won't starve. *shrug*
Doom,
ReplyDeleteA couple of suggestions.
Try a building recycle yard and see if you can find a old 5 gallon per flush toilet. They tended to have a higher profile and could handle larger volumes. If need be mounted on a platform to accommodate for the seat height issues.
Consider a tankless water heater. I have used units fueled by diesel, propane and electric versions, all have performed well.
Hmm... I do, eventually, want to replace the toilet in my en suite, and that might just work for that. I hadn't thought of building a platform. While it would take a bit to figure out, like raising the drain pipe, or extending the downpipe... But doable. I guess I just hadn't considered used.
ReplyDeleteActually... The toilet I have is old and extra water in there, as is. I might be able to simply raise that one. It flushes well, it's just... like squatting on a thimble! I just didn't even know there were places to buy the old still.
As for tankless... Do you live in cold climates? I have heard they aren't great for that? The last owners bought them, but never installed them. They left them here, too. I think they heard that they don't warm the water much in the winter? I've heard that. We had a lot of 20 below this winter, for example. The ones I have are electric though, too. The other thing is I can't do it myself. I would have to hire the installation.
I'm dying to try the tankless, but I just don't... have faith. If they didn't work I would be stuck with the install costs, plus new everything else. I just don't trust em'.
Thanks for the notions though. Always feel free to toss ideas out there.
Good afternoon Doom,
ReplyDeleteBuilding a platform should not be complicated. You may be able to find adapters to lift your flange elevation as high as you wish from your local home center or plumbing supply. Ideally you would cut off the connection of the old floor elevation and put a new pipe and flange in up to the new platform elevation. Then it's simply a matter of reconnecting the toilet. Hopefully an inexpensive way for you to solve the problem.
I have had friends in Canada that used electric tankless, with little success. Their problem was the unit malfunctioning not its ability to make enough hot water. However electric units draw a lot of amps, if you're electric's service is not up to the task, the retrofit is quite expensive. I am currently using a diesel fired unit. I live on a boat just outside Washington, DC. In January and February we have water temperatures near 35°. The pipe that supplies water to my boat is underwater in that 35° water. That pipe is 500 feet long. So the water reaching my hot water heater is just above freezing. It is absolutely decadent in its ability to provide hot showers. In the summer it consumes 2 to 3 gallons a week, in the winter 5 gallons a week of fuel. If your main water heater is a great distance from the points of service. (in my case 80 feet to the galley and 120 feet to my shower. In length of pipe.) A 2 1/2 gallon point of service water heater helps to make up for any lag in the system.
Before I bought the unit. I was concerned that the fuel would gel in the winter. He made the point that they install these units in Canada and have yet to have a problem using ultra low sulfur diesel fuel. The unit I have is a: http://www.toyotomiusa.com/products/waterheaters/OM-148.php Weigh your options, do your research and figure out what's best for you.
Okay, after a bit of comparing apples to apples, that looks good. My guess is, with that, I could put the heater out of the way, opening up space in my bathroom as well.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I couldn't find, just about to dig for, is price. I have to guess this thing costs through the nose. Tradeoffs, always trades. Now, with the lower fuel costs, if it has a reasonable lifespan and upkeep costs, it could pay for itself. I'm going to look around for the price. Surprised they didn't list it. It scares me when the manufacturer/seller doesn't list the price.
The unit I purchased was $1500 at my doorstep. That included the exhaust adapter. For me, the big selling point was that it ran on diesel fuel, of which I have plenty. If you already have oil heat this unit is worth looking into. If not you may want to look another piece of equipment.
ReplyDeleteGiven the fuel costs and that it might work as whole house, that probably wouldn't be bad. Especially as you suggest, if one had the fuel on hand for home heating... or propulsion?
ReplyDeleteIt's something to keep in mind for the next few years. I am all but certain my furnace will be the next casualty. I am hoping for another three to five years, saving up what I can for that. That would be a good time to consider what type of replacement would be best... I know I would like to get something that isn't dependent on electricity, with as much potential for locally producible simple fuels, too.
Assuming savings can accumulate fast enough to beat pure brute economic reality. If you know what I mean. Ever get the feeling you are running through sand, mud, and water? *grins*
A quick check and a few surprises...
ReplyDeleteNow, I'm not an AGW proponent. Just the opposite. But I am practical, cost abiding, and prefer less waste just for general purposes. Further, where I live, inversions can be quite rough. Stagnant air, plus fog and smog. So I like to think about what I am doing.
I thought an oil furnace would produce more emissions... and be far less efficient, if still possibly cheaper to run. Dilemma? Nope. It seems such a system is inherently less polluting and can be up to 95% efficient (*cough* your mileage may vary, but that is apples to apples to, so not bad, just don't believe industry hype is all I'm saying). Plus, it is a less expensive system. Hmmm...
Oh, the joys of talking about systems. And the things you can learn... More digging is needed, but... The notion is promising after hitting it with a rough surface scratching.