Oahu low flush $100 toilet rebate will expire this year

Have you replaced your toilet lately?  If you've been thinking about it, now is a good time to get it done.

Ten years ago, the City and County of Honolulu decided to offer a rebate to people replacing their toilets with a low-flush toilet.  The rebate is $100 for toilets installed no later than June 30, 2008.  The application form must be filed with the City and County no later than July 1, 2008.

The new generation of low flush toilets works great

You may remember the first generation of low-flush toilets didn't work very well and often required more than one flush to clear the bowl.  I'm happy to say that the newer toilets work great!  I'm no toilet expert, but professionals told me to buy a mid-range toilet.  Some of the really cheap ones ($100 and less) may be using old technology.  Spending a little more and getting a $150 toilet will just about guarantee your satisfaction.  Checkout some magazines such as Consumer Reports or online reviews.

How to get the $100 rebate

Maybe the least costly method is to purchase your toilet at the local hardware store and then schedule the installation with a plumber.  Shop around and get price quotes.  I called about four plumbers and received quotes from about $125 to $400.  Of course I went with the cheapest and most convenient installation.

The company I used was Torigoe Plumbing (808) 841-4417.  For about $140, they removed the old toilet, installed the new one and changed the water supply valve and hose.  They filled out the rebate form and mailed it to me.  I attached a copy of the invoice for the toilet and signed the form, then mailed it.  A few weeks later I received my $100 check in the mail.  My net cost for the installation was around ($140-100) = $40 bucks.  I paid about $150 for the toilet, the net total was less than $200.

Believe me, if you have a toilet that leaks, makes noise, wastes water etc. - just change it!  Getting rid of those problems for a couple of hundred dollars is a great investment and it conserves water.

Rebate is good for more than one toilet

You can buy replacement toilets for your entire home and get the $100 rebate for each of them.  Just make sure and get the installation done before the end of June and have the rebate form filed by July 1st.

If you live in a condo, check with your resident manager before changing toilets

Many condos are configured such that water may need to be shut off from outside the building or for a given stack (say all units number "01", such as 101, 201, 301 etc).  Talk to your building manager, they may need to give residents notice a day or two in advance before the plumber does his job.  While you're at it, if your water supply valves leak or don't turn easily, have the plumber change them!  It doesn't cost much and reduces the possibility of flooding in your condo.

Happy flushing!

• Board of Water Supply rebate form
• Honolulu Board of Water Supply

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