Older model toilets can use up to seven gallons of water for every flush. The average person flushes five times a day. If you have one of those older, monster-sized toilets, that’s thirty-five gallons of water per day for each person.
Flushing alone makes up about 31% of the daily water consumption in a household. Newer toilets have been designed to use less water. If the toilet flushes with 1.28 gallons, then the average water consumption is only 6.4 gallons per person, which is nearly 20% less.
A family of four using an older toilet will use approximately 26,000 gallons per year to flush the toilet. A family of four using a new water-efficient toilet will employ about 9,000 gallons, saving nearly 17,000 gallons per year.
Whether or not you believe climate change is happening, saving water helps your bottom line financially. As you go about replacing your outdated bathroom fixtures, take the time to consider a toilet that is both aesthetically pleasing and water-conserving. Does the Kohler Cimarron toilet fit the bill? Read our Kohler Cimarron toilet review and decide for yourself.
- 1 What Is The Kohler Cimarron Toilet?
- 2 Kohler Cimarron Toilet Specifications
- 3 Pricing For The Cimarron Toilet Bathroom Line
- 4 How The Kohler Cimarron Toilet Compares
- 5 Kohler Cimarron Toilet Review: Conclusion
What Is The Kohler Cimarron Toilet?
The Kohler Cimarron toilet is a two-piece toilet crafted from vitreous china with a fully glazed trap. The elongated bowl and 17-inch seat are designed for comfort and utility.
The Cimarron toilet line comes in six to eight neutral colors and black to match any style decor. It is also available in a touchless mode. There’s no handle to flush, just a sensor at the top of the tank, thereby reducing germ transference.
Kohler Cimarron Toilet Specifications
The Kohler Cimarron toilet line meets EPA requirements for residential toilets and carries the WaterSense seal of approval. A Cimarron toilet uses just 1.28-gallons to flush (gpf). Compared to a 3.5-gallon lavatory, you could potentially save up to 16,5000 gallons of water per year. It also is a water savings of 20 percent over toilets with a 1.6-gallon flush. Toilets that meet WaterSense standards are eligible for consumer rebates in some places.
The AquaPiston flushing system boosts water pressure which pushes the water around the entire bowl before settling into the drainage area. This process reduces clogging and keeps the bowl cleaner. The single-flush gravity capitalizes on the force of gravity and tank, bowl and trap design to create a strong flushing siphon. The AquaPiston lets water enter the bowl from all sides.
Kohler Cimarron toilets are Comfort Height toilets measuring 17 inches rather than the standard height. Higher bowl heights are better sized for taller users, the elderly, and those with mobility issues. Cimarron toilets meet ADA (American Disabilities Act) requirements for bathroom fixtures.
Cimarron toilets come with the standard 12-inch rough in and DryLock System to reduce installation time and water leakage. The canister design has less material exposed than a regular 3-inch flapper. The flush action is light touch requiring less force than a flapper design. The AquaPiston canister flush valve was created with warp resistance and flush performance in mind.
Pricing For The Cimarron Toilet Bathroom Line
Toilets in the Kohler Cimarron Comfort Height bathroom line range in price from $165 to $500. The touchless option does not add significantly to the overall cost. Several models, like the rounded tank, are more expensive because of the design not because of the quality.
How The Kohler Cimarron Toilet Compares
In this Kohler Cimarron toilet review, we will compare Kohler with similar models manufactured by well established American Standard and Toto companies as well as the lesser-known Swiss Madison line of bathroom accessories.
Kohler Cimarron Toilet with AquaPiston Technology
The two-piece design and standard 12-inch fitting make it easy to install. The height makes it an excellent choice for the elderly and those with mobility issues. It has a powerful flush which reduces the chances of clogging. The WaterSense seal means that in some areas you can get a rebate from local government agencies.
The shape of the base is typical, which means that dust and grime build up quickly. The two-piece design also allows for grime build-up at the bottom of the tank. Using in-tank cleaners voids the one-year warranty.
While the water pressure of your home is a significant factor in flush quality, the Cimarron toilet does clog. Unfortunately, the shape of the toilet base prevents using a plunger to unstop clogs. The elongated seat, while providing more comfort, takes up more space in your bathroom. The AguaPiston flushing mechanism adds a higher level of noise when flushing as compared to gravity fed flushers.
Children and shorter individuals may have problems using this height of toilet without a step or stool. Furthermore, this higher seat may not be in your best interests when it comes to waste elimination
American Standard Cadet 3 Toilet
The Cadet 3 by American Standard can handle 1,000 grams of solid waste with one flush. The rim is pressurized to power-wash. The flush valve is chemical resistant and a full 3-inches in size. The larger size lets water flow into the bowl faster. Because of this, the flush time is minimal, and the noise it makes over quickly.
The trapway is also larger measuring 2 1 / 8 inches and has no points where waste gets caught leading to clogging. The toilet is treated inside and out with a patented silver-ion additive to reduce mildew, mold, algae, and fungus build-up. It is easier to keep clean because of the smooth base that conceals the trapway entirely.
The Right Height measurement is 15.8, and the seat can be either elongated or round. Consumers report that the Cadet 3 is moderately challenging to install but worth the effort.
TOTO Drake II Toilet with CEFIONTECT
The CEFIONTECT glaze keeps dirt and grime from building up on the surface of the bowl. However, the trapway is exposed and apt to get dirty. The Double Cyclone Technology creates a centrifugal rinse with each flush. The rim has no holes to allow water in. Instead, two nozzles spray the bowl.
The Drake II is a universal height at 16.5 inches. It is ADA compliant and meets quality standards for EPA WaterSense, California’s CEC and CALGreen. It has an elongated seat and a standard rough-in size for easy installation. There is some noise when the Drake II is flushed, but it is brief. Customers report very high satisfaction with the functioning of the Drake II with no clogging.
Swiss Madison St. Tropez Dual Tornado Flush Toilet
The toilets we reviewed today use 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf) or less. This low water consumption process means that for the most part, a traditional flush system won’t work. Therefore, these toilet manufacturers have added pressure, redesigned how the water enters the bowl or made it so that more water comes faster to help wash down the waste with one flush.
In some cases, this design difference means more noise. If your bathroom is right next to your kitchen or another high traffic area, this may not be one of the best selling points for you.
Dual flushing gives you the choice to use little or less water depending on what needs to go down the drain. Liquid waste can be flushed with very little water while solid waste needs a bit more.
Most toilets flush with either a handle or a button. However, sensor flushing toilets are also available. The advantage to a sensor flush is that you don’t have to actually touch the toilet, thus reducing the possibility of picking up germs on your hands.
While it seems that the higher toilet would be more comfortable, studies have shown that being fully upright while defecating might not be in your body’s best interest. Specific muscles are strained in this position. A shorter toilet may be better for you.
Children and those vertically challenged also find a shorter toilet more comfortable to use. However, if you are elderly or have mobility problems, then the higher toilets, those ADA approved, would be a better choice.
Toilet bowls can be either round or elongated. Some people find elongated seats more comfortable. On the other hand, round seats take up less space. If space is an issue, opt for a round bowl. Some manufacturers are now designed toilets with compact elongated seats. These toilets take up the same area as a circular bowl model but with the elongated seat style.
The trapway is the curvy bends behind the bowl at the back of the toilet. Concealed or skirted trapways make a clean line covering the rear making it easier to keep clean.
One-piece toilets are slightly easier to clean than two-piece toilets. The join of the tank and base on a two-piece toilet often gets grimy.
Although you might be tempted to choose that wild pink and gold toilet for your new bathroom because it will look amazing with the neon green shower curtain, think again. Choosing a neutral color for your bathroom fixtures will complement any decor without dating your style.
The toilets that we reviewed today are all classified as high-efficiency toilets (HET). However, not all of the brands meet the rigorous testing criteria to qualify for the WaterSense seal of approval.
Choosing a WaterSense HET may cost a little more up front; however, you will save the cost of the toilet anywhere from 6 months to five years depending on the price and your annual sewer and water expenses. Additionally, some local governments give rebates on the purchase of a WaterSense HET. That means more money in your pocket and less flushed down the drain!
Kohler Cimarron Toilet Review: Conclusion
All in all, we discovered in our Kohler Cimarron toilet review that it is a reliable product at a slightly elevated price. It is not as quiet as some models, nor does it perform as consistently as others, but it will flush away when you need it to. We love the idea of a high-efficiency toilet in every bathroom! Our verdict is a 3.5 /5-star rating.