To better understand this post, it’s important to know that all modern toilets feature the Canister flush valve system – a cylindrical flush valve gasket.
However, the most recent toilets from Kohler feature the AquaPiston technology in their canister flush system. Hence, AquaPiston is simply a technology behind the more recent canister flush toilets.
For clarity, the canister flush toilets referred to in this post are those of the usual cylindrical flush valve without the AquaPiston technology. Based on the facts, this post compares the AquaPiston “Canister” toilets and the Usual Canister toilets. Here are the factors that differentiate both toilets:
Technology
The major difference between AquaPiston and Canister flush toilets is the technology between them. Both AquaPiston and Canister flush toilets have a similar canister flush system but AquaPiston uses a different flush technology.
The Canister flush toilets are designed to use either the flush buttons or flush lever. The flush buttons are located on top of the canister and are pressed down to initiate a flush. Those designed to use a flush lever have a hook on their body that is pulled with the lift chain to initiate the flush.
AquaPiston flush toilets, on the other hand, have a sturdy enclosed plastic that must be lifted for the toilet to flush. The AquaPiston flush toilets usually rely on the flush valve float. The flush level lifts the entire canister to initiate a flush.
Method of Toilet Refill
The AquaPiston system seems to be more modern than the canister system. The AquaPiston system uses a sprinkling method to refill the toilet tank, which is quieter and more consistent than the canister system.
The canister system relies on the old-style method of pouring water through a hose. This can be a bit noisier when refilling the toilet tank.
Efficiency
AquaPiston flush toilets are more efficient than Canister flush toilets. In terms of water conservation, the AquaPiston is more water efficient with its quiet flush engine. When flushed, the water flows 360° around the bowl to give a completely powerful flush – thanks to the flushing nozzles.
The Canister flush toilet is not different in operation that the normal toilets that rely on the inlet holes around the bowl rim.
Rim Holes
Like conventional toilets, Canister flush toilets rely on the ejection of water via the inlet holes around the bowl. When flushed, water jet out of the inlet holes and swirl around the toilet bowl to flush.
The AquaPiston flush toilets, on the other hand, are rimless. They rely on a different flush technique, which relies on a gravity-fed mechanism. Instead of holes around the rim, the AquaPiston flush toilets have just two big nozzles at the edge of the rim.
These nozzles release water with great cyclonic pressure for gravitational flushing. This means you don’t need to clean rim holes every time.
As stated above, all modern toilets rely on the Canister flush valve. However, AquaPiston is simply a technology behind some modern Canister flush valves from Kohler.
Similarities Between the AquaPiston and Canister Flush Toilets
Here are a few similarities between the AquaPiston and Canister flush toilets:
Design
Both AquaPiston and Canister flush toilets rely on a cylindrical flush valve design that stands upright in the toilet tank. In some cases, there are no lift chains but flush buttons on top of the flush valve gasket. These buttons initiate flushing when pushed.
Some modern toilets feature a lift chain that directly attaches to the cylindrical flush valve and the flush lever. When pulled, the chain lifts the canister and allows water to flow into the toilet bowl.
No Toilet Flapper
Both flush toilets rely on a flapperless flush valve system. This means that they don’t depend on a toilet flapper to stop or allow water into the bowl. Hence, expect fewer leakages or maintenance issues.
Flushing Style
This is more of a drawback to both systems. For toilets without a canister system, you don’t need to hold down the flush lever to flush the toilet. Once you press the flush lever, the flapper stays open until the water drains completely into the toilet bowl.
On the contrary, you must hold down the flush lever in both AquaPiston and Canister flush toilets until the waste from the toilet is completely flushed.
To Conclude
The AquaPiston flush toilets are more efficient than the canister system because they use an upgraded mechanism.
In terms of water conservation, the AquaPiston is more water efficient with its quiet flush engine. When flushed, the water flows 360° around the bowl to give a completely powerful flush – thanks to the flushing nozzles.
The Canister flush toilet is not different in operation that the normal toilets that rely on the inlet holes around the bowl rim.