Consumers
Don't buy a water-using product without finding out how WELS water-efficiency ratings can save you money and help the environment.
What is WELS?
WELS is Australia's new water efficiency labelling scheme, which allows consumers to compare the water efficiency of different products.
By buying more water-efficient products you can save money on water and electricity bills and help the environment.
The rating system is similar to the energy rating labelling, with six stars. The more stars the better. As well as a star rating the labels also show a water consumption or water flow figure.
WELS products
The WELS scheme applies to the following products:
Plumbing products
Sanitary ware
White goods
The WELS Scheme excludes second-hand products and products imported into Australia for personal use.
Finding WELS products
The WELS registered products database allows consumers to look up all registered products. Consumers can use this database to compare the water consumption and water efficiency ratings of different WELS products.
The WELS scheme does not apply to second hand products or to products you import for your personal use.
When will I see WELS in-store?
From 1 July 2006 WELS labelled washing machines, dishwashers, showers, taps and toilets will start appearing in stores.
There are transition periods for some products which will mean that consumers may also see some unlabelled stock (up to 31 December 2007 for dishwashers and washing machines and 31 December 2006 for all other 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:
- the star rating
- the 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?
Go to Water Rebates at smartwatermark.info to find your your local water authority or council for rebate information. WELS does not rebate products covered under the WELS scheme, but only rates them for their water efficiency.
You may be interested to know that combination washer dryer clothes washing machines may utilise 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 provided this information and advised that the offer of rebates on combined washer-dryers should be carefully considered.
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