TOTO Connelly Two-Piece Dual-Flush Elongated 1.28/0.9 GPF Toilet

The TOTO Connelly positioning

The Connelly (CST494CEMFG) is TOTO's designer dual-flush two-piece — sitting between the Aquia IV ($478-$580 — TOTO's volume dual-flush) and the Carlyle II ($1,080-$1,380 — designer one-piece). At $540-$720, the Connelly fills the niche of buyers who want designer aesthetics + dual-flush + skirted-trapway styling in a serviceable two-piece format.

The Connelly's distinguishing features vs Aquia IV: skirted-trapway design (vs Aquia IV's exposed trapway), full elongated bowl (vs Aquia IV's compact-elongated 17.5"), and a designer-cleaner exterior silhouette. Buyers choose Connelly over Aquia IV when bathroom design matters more than the slightly smaller floor footprint of compact-elongated.

The Connelly engineering — Tornado Flush dual-flush

The Connelly uses TOTO's Tornado Flush mechanism adapted for dual-flush operation. The dual-flush canister is the same architecture as the Aquia IV's — a TOTO-proprietary vertical canister that lifts to different heights for light vs full flush. The Tornado Flush bowl geometry (three angled jet nozzles at the rim) delivers strong bowl-cleansing at either flush volume.

Dual-flush performance:

• Light flush (0.9 GPF): press the smaller button. For liquid waste.
• Full flush (1.28 GPF): press the larger button. For solid waste.
• MaP score: 900g at full flush — between Aquia IV's 800g and Drake II's 1,000g+.
• WaterSense certified at both flush volumes.

Average water savings vs single-flush

For a two-person household using ~70% light flushes:

• Average GPF: ~1.05 (vs 1.28 single-flush)
• Annual savings vs 1.28 GPF: ~4,100 gallons
• Annual savings vs 1.6 GPF: ~10,200 gallons
• At drought-area water rates ($0.025/gal): $100-$255/year
• Rebate eligibility: most CA/AZ/TX utilities offer $50-$150 for dual-flush WaterSense

The variant matrix

What's in the box

• Bowl + tank with skirted-trapway styling
• Pre-installed TOTO dual-flush canister mechanism
• Top-mount push-button actuator (two-button design)
• Tank-to-bowl gasket and hardware
• SoftClose SS213 elongated seat included
• Wax ring NOT included
• Installation manual

Install requirements and procedure

• Rough-in: 12 inches (standard).
• Weight: ~95 lbs (tank ~40, bowl ~55).
• Skirted-trapway floor consideration: floor flange must be at or below finished-floor level. Skirted base sits low.
• Standard two-piece install procedure — same as Drake II / Vespin II.
• Dual-flush mechanism is factory-set — no adjustment needed after install. If you want to tune the half-flush vs full-flush volume, TOTO offers adjustment instructions in the manual.

What owners report

• Tornado Flush + dual-flush combination is solid for normal-use households. MaP 900g exceeds most household waste-clearance demands at full flush.
• The 0.9 GPF light flush occasionally needs a second flush for paper-heavy use. Owners adapt by using the full-flush button when there's more paper.
• The push-button actuator takes ~2 weeks of habit-formation. Most owners report it feels natural after the learning curve.
• The skirted-trapway dramatically reduces cleaning time compared to the Aquia IV's exposed trapway.
• CeFiONtect glaze performs as expected — extended cleaning intervals.
• Service life: 25+ years porcelain. Dual-flush canister at 10-12 years (TOTO TSU99A.X replacement, ~$45).

Where Connelly wins vs Aquia IV

• Full elongated bowl (18.5") vs Aquia IV's compact-elongated (17.5")
• Skirted-trapway design vs Aquia IV's exposed trapway
• SoftClose seat (SS213 designer) vs Aquia IV's standard SS113
• Cleaner overall exterior aesthetic

Where Aquia IV wins vs Connelly

• Lower price ($478-$580 vs $540-$720)
• More widely stocked at plumbing-supply houses
• Better fit in smaller bathrooms (compact-elongated 17.5")
• Higher production volume — more reliability data

The verdict

Buy Connelly if you want full-elongated dual-flush TOTO with designer styling and bathroom space allows the 18.5" bowl. Buy Aquia IV if your bathroom is space-constrained (compact-elongated saves 1 inch) or budget matters ($60-$140 less).

Warranty

TOTO Connelly residential warranty: 1 year on tank trim, lifetime on porcelain. Dual-flush canister: 5-year mechanism warranty. SoftClose seat: 1 year. Standard TOTO USA service.

Pricing reality (2026)

Connelly CST494CEMFG (Cotton White): $540-$680. Ferguson and Build.com Pro Desk: $480-$540. Home Depot: $599-$679. Sedona Beige/Bone variants +$40-$80.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will this fit my bathroom? Standard 12-inch rough-in fits most US homes built after 1970. Measure from the finished wall (not stud) to the center of the closet flange before ordering. For unusual rough-ins (10" or 14") or non-standard floor depths, verify dimensions against the product spec sheet before ordering.
• How long does installation take? Typical installation runs 1.5-2 hours for an experienced installer. Add 30-60 minutes if the closet flange needs replacement or repair, and 1-2 hours if the existing supply line stop valve needs to be replaced.
• Is the toilet seat included? Some configurations include a soft-close seat; others sell it separately for $20-$60. Check the SKU listing before purchase to confirm.
• How much will this save vs. my existing toilet? At 1.0/1.6 dual-flush (avg ~1.28) GPF, this two-piece toilet uses meaningfully less water than older designs. Replacing a pre-1992 3.5 GPF toilet typically saves $130-$180 per year in water utility costs, depending on local water rates and household flush volume — payback on the toilet purchase price within 2-4 years is realistic for most households.
• What's the realistic service life? Expect 12-15 years typical for the vitreous china body under normal residential use. Internal flush components (fill valve, flush valve, flapper) typically need replacement around year 7-10 — these are universal hardware-store parts costing $15-$45 total.
• Can I install this myself? Most experienced DIYers can complete installation in 1-2 hours with basic plumbing tools. Hire a licensed plumber if you're uncomfortable with closet flange work, supply line connections, or if your plumbing is older than 1980s and may need flange replacement.
• What's the return policy if it doesn't work for my space? Most retailers accept unused toilet returns within 30-90 days (Home Depot 90, Amazon 30, specialty plumbing 30). Installed toilets are NOT returnable — measure twice, install once.

Step-by-Step Installation Overview

1. Turn off the water supply at the toilet stop valve (the small valve behind/beside the toilet). Flush the tank to drain residual water, then sponge out any water remaining in the tank and bowl.
2. Disconnect the supply line from the bottom of the tank. Have a small bucket and towel ready for any drips.
3. Remove the old toilet: unscrew the two closet flange bolts at the base, rock the toilet gently side-to-side to break the wax ring seal, and lift it off the flange. Have a second person help with the lift — the bowl alone weighs 50-90 lbs.
4. Clean the closet flange thoroughly. Scrape off old wax residue with a putty knife. If the flange is cracked or below the finished floor surface, replace it before proceeding (flange replacement adds ~$25 in parts and 30-60 minutes of labor).
5. Install new closet flange bolts in the flange slots (most kits include these; verify before starting). Place the new wax ring on top of the flange (or on the bottom of the new bowl, depending on installer preference).
6. Set the new bowl over the flange, aligning the bolts through the bowl mounting holes. Press down firmly with even pressure to seat the wax ring. Don't twist or rock the bowl after seating — that breaks the seal.
7. Tighten the closet flange bolts alternately (a few turns on each side, then back to the other) until the bowl is firmly seated. Don't over-tighten — porcelain cracks from excessive bolt torque.
8. Place the tank-to-bowl gasket on the bowl. Set the tank on the bowl, aligning the mounting holes. Insert the tank bolts from inside the tank and tighten alternately until the tank is snug against the bowl (don't over-tighten).
9. Connect the supply line to the bottom of the tank. Turn on the water supply, let the tank fill, and test the flush. Check all connections for leaks.
10. Install the toilet seat (if not pre-installed) by inserting the seat bolts through the bowl mounting holes and tightening the nuts from underneath.
11. Final leak check: flush several times, run a tissue paper test around the base for any seepage, and verify the toilet sits firmly without rocking.

Tools you'll need: adjustable wrench, channel-lock pliers, putty knife, sponge, small bucket, towels, and a level. If you don't have these, expect to spend $40-$60 at a hardware store on a basic install kit.

10-Year Total Cost of Ownership Estimate

• Initial purchase + installation supplies: typical $15-$30 in wax ring, supply line, and flange bolts on top of the toilet price.
• Plumber labor (if not DIY): $150-$350 for standard floor-mount install, $250-$500 for smart toilet, $1,000-$2,000 for wall-hung.
• Replacement seat at year 6-8: $25-$50 for a Bemis or branded replacement.
• Replacement flush internals at year 7-10: $15-$45 total in parts (fill valve, flapper) — universal Fluidmaster/Korky parts at any hardware store.
• Water utility cost (1.28 GPF average, 5,000 flushes/year): $400-$600 over 10 years depending on local water rates.
• Annual savings vs. replacing a pre-1992 3.5 GPF toilet: $130-$180/year ≈ $1,300-$1,800 over 10 years — frequently exceeding the entire toilet purchase + install cost.

Warranty Registration and Care Best Practices

Register this two-piece toilet with TOTO within 30 days of purchase to ensure warranty coverage — most brands require online registration plus original receipt for any future warranty claim. Save the receipt as a PDF and email it to yourself for cloud backup; physical receipts fade and get lost. Photograph the model number sticker (typically inside the tank or under the tank lid for one-piece designs) as part of your warranty documentation.

Common warranty exclusions across all toilet brands:

• Impact damage from dropped tools or items falling on the bowl/tank lid
• Freeze damage in unheated vacation properties or unheated bathrooms in cold climates
• Installation damage from over-tightened bolts (cracks at the flange mount), uneven floors causing rocking, or missing wax ring seals
• Damage from in-tank cleaning tablets (these chemically degrade rubber flapper seals and stain the porcelain)
• Hard water staining (cosmetic, not structural)
• Cosmetic scratches from abrasive cleaning products (especially on matte finishes)

Routine cleaning best practices: Use standard porcelain bowl cleaners (Lysol, Clorox, Soft Scrub with Bleach) for the bowl interior. Microfiber + mild dish soap for the exterior, lid, and seat. Avoid steel wool, abrasive scrub pads, and powdered scrub cleaners (Comet, Ajax) that scratch the glaze over years of use. For hard water mineral deposits, apply CLR or Lime-Away with a 10-15 minute dwell time, scrub with a bowl brush, then flush — repeat for stubborn buildup. Wipe water spots on the rim and seat hinge promptly to prevent permanent mineral etching, especially on matte black or matte gray finishes where mineral staining shows visibly faster than on glossy white.

If a warranty claim becomes necessary, contact TOTO customer service with: photographs of the defect from multiple angles, the model and serial number, your purchase receipt, and the installation date. Expect 5-10 business days for initial review and 15-30 days for claim resolution if approved.