What Is a Power Flush Toilet?

A power flush toilet utilizes compressed air to significantly increase its flushing ability. Unlike traditional gravity models, a power flush toilet stores its flushing water in a special pressurized tank. The efficient design of this toilet eliminates the need for second flushes and reduces water consumption. The high velocity flush produced by this toilet also reduces clogging of sewer lines. Some power flush toilet models are equipped with an electric pump for use in homes with lower water pressure.

Traditional flush toilets rely upon gravity to empty the contents of the bowl. A power flush toilet makes use of compressed air to force waste out of the bowl and into the drain pipe. These toilets have a bowl and tank assembly that is similar to gravity models. Power flush models are equipped with a specially designed pressure chamber inside the tank. The water supply is connected directly to the pressure chamber and recharges the device after each flush.

Air is compressed in the chamber as the water enters and pressure is maintained until the next flush. When the toilet is flushed, air pressure forces the water into the drain at a high velocity. This pressurized water can be quite noisy, and some newer power flush toilet models have been redesigned for quieter operation. Certain types of power flush toilets are also designed for dual operation. These models can be flushed by the traditional gravity method or by pressure-assisted operation.

The highly efficient flushing mechanism of this toilet also reduces excess water consumption. Conventional gravity toilets often require repeated flushing to completely remove waste from the bowl. The high velocity water movement of a power flush toilet is usually able to remove the entire contents of the bowl in a single flush. Fewer flushes result in decreased water consumption and lower utility costs. Reduced water usage also puts less strain on sanitary sewer and septic tank systems.

The high velocity water movement produced by these toilets also helps to prevent clogged sewer lines. Most power flush toilet models carry waste twice as far as traditional gravity versions and keep sewer pipes cleaner. This action helps minimize the possibility of sewer backups caused by clogged pipes. In addition, a power flush toilet requires a sufficient amount of incoming water pressure to properly fill the storage chamber. Certain pressure-assisted models are also equipped with an electric motor to help fill the storage chamber when sufficient water pressure is unavailable.