What WELS Star Rating Means and Why It Matters for Your Water Bills
When you're buying a new washing machine or dishwasher in Australia, you'll see a blue star rating label called WELS. Understanding what this means can help you save significant money on your water bills over the life of an appliance.
What Is WELS?
WELS stands for Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards. It's an Australian government scheme that rates the water efficiency of appliances including:
- Washing machines
- Dishwashers
- Shower heads
- Toilets
- Taps
The more stars, the more water-efficient the product. Ratings go from 1 to 6 stars, with 6 stars being the most efficient.
WELS Ratings for Washing Machines
Washing machines under WELS show two pieces of information on the label:
- The star rating (1–6 stars)
- The number of litres used per wash
A 5–6 star washing machine typically uses 50–70 litres per wash, compared to 100–150 litres for older or less efficient models.
Annual savings example: If you do 7 washes per week with a 2-star machine (120L/wash), that's 43,680L per year. Upgrade to a 5-star machine (60L/wash) and you save over 21,000 litres annually — worth $60–$80 per year in water costs.
WELS Ratings for Dishwashers
Dishwashers also carry WELS ratings. Modern dishwashers have improved enormously — a 5-star dishwasher can use as little as 7–10 litres per cycle, compared to 15–25 litres for older models. This is often less water than hand washing the same load.
What Star Rating Should You Aim For?
- Washing machines: Aim for 4.5 stars or higher. All front loaders score higher than most top loaders.
- Dishwashers: Aim for 4 stars or higher. Modern Bosch and Electrolux models regularly achieve 5–6 stars.
Energy Star Ratings vs WELS
Don't confuse WELS (blue water stars) with the Energy Rating Label (yellow/red energy stars). They measure different things:
- WELS (blue) = water efficiency
- Energy Rating (yellow) = electricity efficiency
An ideal appliance scores well on both. Front loader washing machines and modern dishwashers typically excel on both water and energy efficiency compared to older technology.
Find Efficient Appliances at Oceania Appliances
Our refurbished appliance range includes many high-efficiency machines. We can advise on WELS ratings for specific models. Sydney-wide delivery with 3–6 month warranty.
Browse our appliance range | Ask us about efficiency ratings