A: Hi, Wayne. The power flush system you are talking about is commonly called a "pressure lite" flushing system because it uses air pressure to assist with the flushing power.

Pressure lite toilets have a closed chamber inside the toilet tank that fills with water from your plumbing system; this sealed chamber traps a pocket of compressed air along with the water used for flushing. The air is compressed by the water pressure in your plumbing system, and when you flush the toilet the compressed air really gives the water a strong push for a powerful flush! It sounds complicated, but it's really a simple and reliable flushing system. Also, this type of assisted flush toilet is a "High Efficiency Toilet" meaning that it may only use 1.3 gallons of water per flush, or less. In my book Ed Del Grande's House Call I get into all the new water-saving flushing systems -- along with some nice illustrations -- if you need more information.

Because this is fairly new technology, and the tank and bowl for the pressure lite systems have been redesigned to fit the equipment, I really don't see a way where you can fit this type of flushing equipment into an existing standard toilet. Bottom line is that you will need to remove your old toilet and install the new toilet according to your local codes and manufacturer's instructions.

The good news is that you should see average water savings of about four to six thousand gallons of water per year with your new high-efficiency toilet. Also, because of the extra air power, you'll have a very strong flush... and that may come in handy for the next bad bundle of information you get from your neighbor!