Aquapiston vs Canister Flush [A Detailed Comparison]

When it comes to residential toilets, two of the most popular flushing systems on the market today are the aquapiston and the canister flush. But what exactly is the difference between these two technologies, and which one is better?

The aquapiston flush uses a piston-like mechanism to deliver a powerful and efficient water flush into the toilet bowl. The canister flush, on the other hand, relies on an internal tank and siphon system to generate its flushing power. While both can effectively remove waste, they have some notable differences in their design, flushing power, water usage, and performance.

In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at how aquapiston and canister flush systems work, how they compare in terms of flushing capability, water efficiency, and overall benefits. Knowing the pros and cons of each can help you make the right choice for your bathroom.

Here is an in-depth comparison table contrasting the key features of aquapiston vs canister flush toilets:

How They Work

To understand the key distinctions between these two toilet types, it’s helpful to first examine how each flushing system operates:

Aquapiston Flush Mechanism

The aquapiston flush uses a piston-based mechanism inside the toilet tank to deliver a high-powered rinse into the bowl. Here’s a quick overview:

• When the toilet is flushed, the flush valve opens, allowing water to flow into the tank.
• This water causes a piston inside the tank to rise upward.
• The rising piston compresses air in the upper chamber.
• When the piston hits the top, the compressed air forces water through the rim holes with immense pressure.
• This creates a strong siphon effect and swirling rinse action inside the bowl.

The aquapiston allows for precision control over the water pressure and flow for each flush. The piston action ensures maximum power and bowl coverage every time.

Canister Flush Mechanism

In contrast to the aquapiston, here is how a canister flush system works:

• When the flush is activated, the flush valve or flapper opens, permitting water to exit the tank.
• This incoming water flows down into an enclosed canister inside the toilet bowl.
• The surge of water causes the canister to fill and compress air inside it.
• Once filled, the water siphons out of the canister and into the bowl.
• The siphoning action creates the flushing power to rinse the bowl.

The canister flush depends on the siphoning effect to remove waste. The canister itself provides some pressurization, but not to the same degree as the aquapiston’s piston compressing air.

Flushing Power and Effectiveness

When it comes to their actual flushing capability, both systems can fully clear the bowl, but the aquapiston has considerably more power:

Aquapiston Flushing Power

• The aquapiston provides exceptional flushing power and performance.
• The piston action generates siphon jets many times more powerful than a gravity flush.
• This allows the aquapiston to completely scour and rinse the bowl with a single flush.
• Flushing strength can be further increased by adjustments to the air chamber.
• The aquapiston provides consistent flushing power, even at low water pressures.

Canister Flushing Power

• Canister flushes provide reasonably strong flush performance.
• However, they cannot match the immense hydraulic pressure created by the aquapiston system.
• The siphoning action in a canister flush tends to have less force than pressurized piston flushing.
• Consequently, canister flushes may require more water or dual flushing to fully clear waste from the bowl.
• Flushing effectiveness can diminish over time as the canister components wear out.

When analyzed side by side, the aquapiston has the clear advantage for maximum bowl clearing power and consistent flushing action.

Water Usage Efficiency

The other major area where aquapiston and canister flush systems differ is in their water consumption and efficiency:

Aquapiston Water Usage

• Aquapiston flushes use significantly less water than older flush mechanisms.
• Advanced aquapistons can work effectively with as little as 0.8 gallons per flush.
• This represents at least a 20-40% reduction compared to standard canister flush toilets.
• The piston action creates a strong siphon effect without requiring as much water flow.
• This makes the aquapiston a very water-efficient flushing system.

Canister Flush Water Usage

• Canister flush toilets generally use more water per flush than aquapiston models.
• The average canister toilet requires 1.28 – 1.6 gallons per flush.
• Dual flush canister toilets may use up to 1.6 gpf for solid wastes.
• Water savings depend mainly on the siphon effectiveness of the specific canister system.
• Canister flushes offer some water efficiency, but aquapistons are better optimized for low flow performance.

Clearly, the advanced aquapiston mechanism is able to deliver ultra-low water usage while still providing powerful flushing performance. This gives it a clear advantage for water conservation in modern bathrooms.

FAQs

Which flush system is quieter, aquapiston or canister?

The aquapiston flush operates very quietly. The piston action eliminates the need for the fill valves and flappers used in canister systems, which can cause noise during flushing. The aquapiston’s smooth pressurized flush is much quieter overall.

Does the aquapiston or canister flush offer better reliability?

The aquapiston’s simple yet robust mechanism, with very few moving parts, makes it a very reliable system. Canister flushes rely on more components like siphon jets, seals, and tank bolts that can deteriorate over time and require replacement. So the aquapiston offers better long-term durability.

Is the aquapiston harder to install than a canister flush toilet?

No, the aquapiston system can be installed just as easily as a standard canister flush toilet. The only difference is ensuring the air chamber and piston mechanism are properly integrated, but the steps are straightforward. No special skills are required.

Can you adjust the flush power on an aquapiston toilet?

Yes, the flush power of an aquapiston toilet can be fine-tuned by making adjustments to the air pressure chamber. This allows you to customize the water pressure to your desired level of flushing performance.

Do aquapiston and canister flushes cost about the same?

Generally the retail cost is comparable between similarly featured aquapiston and canister flush toilet models. However, the aquapiston’s greater water efficiency can help recoup some of the purchase price over time through lower water bills.

Conclusion

In summary, when comparing aquapiston vs canister flushing systems, the aquapiston has distinct benefits for flushing power and water efficiency:

• The piston-powered aquapiston provides stronger siphon performance for maximum bowl cleaning.
• Advanced aquapistons use 20-40% less water than traditional canister flush toilets.
• The aquapiston offers more consistent, reliable flushing across a range of water pressures.
• Aquapiston systems are well-optimized for both power and low water usage.

While canister flushes offer effective functionality, the aquapiston represents the latest in water-saving toilet technology. Its combination of robust flushing power with ultra-low water use makes it an excellent choice for any eco-conscious bathroom. Understanding the key differences between these two toilet types allows you to make the perfect selection to serve your needs.