What Is Water Rating and Why Does It Matter for Your Appliances?
Alongside energy ratings, water ratings are an important factor when choosing appliances in Australia. Here's what the WELS water rating system means and why it should factor into your buying decision.
What Is WELS?
WELS stands for Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards. It's an Australian government scheme that rates the water efficiency of certain products including washing machines, dishwashers, taps, showers, toilets and urinals.
The WELS label shows:
- A star rating from 0 to 6 (more stars = more water efficient)
- Actual water consumption figures relevant to that type of product
Which Appliances Have WELS Ratings?
Among major home appliances, the two that display WELS ratings are:
- Washing machines — Shows litres per wash at nominated conditions
- Dishwashers — Shows litres per wash cycle
Fridges, dryers and ovens are not covered by WELS as they don't use water directly (or don't use significant amounts).
Reading the WELS Label on a Washing Machine
The WELS label on a washing machine shows the water consumption per wash at a standard load condition. A typical modern front loader might use 50 to 70 litres per wash. An older style top loader might use 100 to 150 litres per wash.
That difference — say 60L vs 130L per wash — adds up to tens of thousands of litres per year for an average household doing 5 to 7 washes per week.
Reading the WELS Label on a Dishwasher
Dishwasher WELS labels show litres per program, usually at the ECO or Normal wash setting. Modern dishwashers are surprisingly water efficient — many use just 10 to 14 litres per wash. Handwashing the equivalent dishes typically uses 30 to 50 litres. This makes a dishwasher the more water-efficient option in many cases.
How Much Do Stars Actually Save?
Moving from a 2.5-star washing machine (say 100L per wash) to a 4.5-star front loader (say 55L per wash) for a household doing 7 washes per week saves approximately 16,000 litres per year. At Sydney water rates, that's a noticeable saving on your water bill.
Why It Matters in Sydney
Sydney relies on rainfall catchment and periodic water restrictions. Using less water is both financially sensible and environmentally responsible. When comparing two similar appliances, water rating is worth factoring alongside energy rating and price.
At Oceania Appliances
When you shop with us, we're happy to discuss the energy and water ratings of any appliance you're considering. We stock water-efficient washing machines and dishwashers from leading brands. Free delivery across Sydney and warranty on every purchase.