With the launch of its new 503UH series pressure-assist system, Flushmate is taking water conservation to new levels. That’s because the new system is now being utilized for the first time in Sloan toilets with a 0.75 gallons per flush (gpf).
This product launch introduces the lowest flush volume for pressure-assist systems in the industry, at just 0.75 gpf, delivering a 53% water reduction when compared to 1.6 gpf models, all without sacrificing performance.
We sat down with Mike Gembarski, Flushmate senior product line manager, to discuss Flushmate’s latest technology and its unique benefits in water conservation and beyond.
How was Flushmate able to innovate an industry-low pressure-assist gpf of .75 in the new 503UH series?
The advantage of pressure-assist technology over gravity toilets is pure physics. Traditional toilets often require a lot of water to initiate a siphon effect during the flush to pull waste from the bowl, while pressure-assist systems use compressed air trapped inside the vessel to deliver water to the bowl at a higher rate, creating a powerful flush performance that pushes waste out of the bowl and further down the drainline.
As the amount of water used to flush is reduced, traditional toilets reach a threshold where they may not be able to maintain the same level of flush performance. Pressure-assist systems use water more efficiently at lower flush volumes by delivering a more powerful flush. We first introduced Flushmate using only 1.6 gpf during a time when the norm was 3.5 gpf. Over the years we have released models using 1.28 and 1.0 gpf, so it was a natural progression to add 0.75 gpf to our product family. It's a progression over time toward a lower flush volume to conserve water while maintaining the same level of performance our customers expect.
Aside from water savings, what other benefits does the new 503UH Series provide?
In today’s market, ultra-high efficiency toilets (UHET) are being utilized in residential, multi-family, hospitality, as well as light commercial installations. Some traditional toilets with comparable flush volumes may experience issues with drainline and flush performance, resulting in clogs that require double flushing. Pressure-assist technology has a long history of high performance, waste extraction, and drainline carry. When you pair the Flushmate 503UH system with Sloan’s 0.75 gpf Pressure-assisted Toilets, the result is superior flush performance, a cleaner bowl, fewer clogs, and longer drainline carry than the leading competitors in the market. Not only is Flushmate the market leader, but it’s also the first to release a 0.75 gpf system.
As we re-examined how to lower the threshold of water consumption, we engineered some advanced modifications to our system, to allow the flush performance our customers expect, at a lower flush volume. Additionally, we developed our system to work with the bowl to lower the sound of the powerful flush while keeping our performance level high. We've modified our system to decrease sound at the point of flushing. We believe that consumers will find that this product is quieter than previous models, all while saving water.
How does the Flushmate 503UH Series stand apart from competitors?
Flushmate’s state-of-the-art facility located in New Hudson, Michigan, includes all operations, ensuring seamless integration and exceptional quality control. Our facility includes research and development (R&D), product development, engineering, manufacturing, certified testing lab, quality control/assurance, logistics and distribution, and customer service and support for all Flushmate products. This allows us to innovate, refine, and deliver superior products, all under one roof. Our Michigan team works tirelessly to meet and exceed the expectations of our customers
We’re proud to say this is the first and only 0.75 gpf pressure-assist system manufactured in the U.S. The enhancements included in this model reduced the flush volume while maintaining a robust flushing performance. Additionally, this Flushmate system is able to reach a 60-foot drainline carry (50% more than industry standard), has the largest water surface compared to comparable fixtures, and has a 900g MaP score, demonstrating efficiency and flush performance.
In terms of gpf in pressure-assist systems, how low is too low?
As I said earlier, one advantage pressure-assist has is the ability to reduce flush volume while maintaining performance. As we get down below one gallon, it is a combination between the flushing performance, bowl hydraulics, and the environment. Ultimately, with pressure-assist systems, we can efficiently lower the flush volume while keeping better performance than traditional toilets and maintaining the necessary drainline carry because you're pushing the water at a higher velocity out of the bowl.
Flushmate was the first to introduce pressure-assist technology. How has the technology advanced to where a 0.75 gpf is possible today?
Pressure-assist technology was first introduced in the late 1980s with the first Flushmate 1.6 gpf model. At that time, the average toilet flushed 3.5 gpf, until 1992 when Congress passed the Energy Policy Act (EPAct), which set a national water efficiency standards for toilets sold must not exceed 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) by 1994. As many manufacturers worked to meet this mandate, the market acceptance for pressure-assist technology continued to grow. Flushmate not only met the 1.6 gpf requirement, but we were able to offer better flushing performance, increased drainline carry, larger water surface, cleaner bowl, and non-sweating tank compared to our gravity competitors.
The demand for lower flush volumes continued as various parts of the country experienced drought condition and increasing water restrictions. Customers demanded to do more with less, and Flushmate has always performed under pressure. Over the years we have continued to lower the flush volume based on our customer demands. Our new 503UH model includes advancements in our product design, working closely on bowl development and fine-tuning the bowl to perform optimally at 0.75 gpf.
How was this innovation designed with the customer in mind?
We recognize the growing societal awareness of the importance of water conservation, and we share this commitment. As a pioneer in pressure-assist technology, we are always looking for opportunities to reduce water consumption and look toward the future in support of our customers. This continuous dedication is a key reason behind the development of our 0.75 gpf system. We are always striving to reduce flush volume while maintaining the high performance our customers expect, ensuring that we meet their needs for efficiency and sustainability.
What are the ideal applications for the 503UH Series?
The Flushmate 503UH system is ideal for a variety of environments where water conservation and efficient performance are critical. This includes residential or multi-family housing to help conserve water while having reliable flush performance and help lower water bills as well as commercial buildings, like office buildings, retail stores, or restaurants where frequent use can potentially lead to higher cost savings. Hospitality environments where, in addition to water conservation, pressure-assist technology helps lower maintenance and service costs by helping to eliminate reported clogs. Healthcare facilities, where hygiene is crucial and toilets need to perform under frequent use, the Flushmate I-Flush™ hands-free system can be installed for touchless flushing. Eco-friendly commercial buildings and green residential developments focused on sustainability would benefit from installing UHET toilets for LEED credit. In any of these settings, toilets using the Flushmate 503UH 0.75 gpf system offer a balance of water savings and superior powerful flushing performance, making a smart choice for both sustainability and functionality.