Buying a product?
Many factors come into play when you start thinking about buying a product - cost, style, performance, reputation. Saving water and saving on your water bills can be a deciding factor in determining the type of product you buy.
If you're about to buy a water-using product find out first how WELS water efficiency ratings can save you money and help the environment. It's simple - the more stars on the WELS label - the less water that product will use, and the more money you will save.
What is WELS?
WELS is Australia's water efficiency labelling scheme. It allows consumers to compare the water efficiency of different products.
The rating system has six stars. The more stars the better. The labels also show a water consumption or water flow figure.
WELS products
The WELS Scheme applies to the following products:
Plumbing products
- showers
- tap equipment
- flow controllers (not mandatory)
Sanitary ware
White goods
Finding WELS products
The WELS product search database allows prospective buyers to look up all registered products. You can use this database to compare the water consumption and water efficiency ratings of different WELS products.
What does the WELS label look like?
The labels for the different WELS products also differ slightly, however all share two key pieces of information:
- star rating and
- water consumption or flow figures.
What is the testing process behind the label?
The star rating and water consumption/flow figures on the product label are based on rigorous and independent water efficiency tests.
What about rebates?
Local councils and water authorities may be offering rebates to people who buy WELS-registered products with specific star ratings. Go to 'Water Rebates' at www.smartwatermark.org to find your local water authority or council for rebate information or visit greenplumbers .
WELS does not rebate products covered under its scheme, but only rates them for their water efficiency.
Did you know that combination washer/dryer machines may use water to dry loads? Presently, the WELS Scheme only rates the water used in the washing function and not the water consumed in the drying function.
State, territory and local government authorities have been advised that the offer of rebates on combined washer-dryers should be carefully considered.
Buying over the internet
The labelling requirements for WELS products still apply if products are being offered or sold over the internet.
Second-hand products
The WELS Scheme excludes second-hand products and products imported into Australia for personal use.
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