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Taps

Water Efficiency Ratings For Kitchen and Bathroom Products

Water Rating WELS Scheme
Water Rating WELS Scheme

When you’re purchasing products for your new kitchen or bathroom, it’s definitely worth paying attention to their water efficiency ratings. These ratings indicate how ‘thirsty’ the products are. Choosing better-rated products can help you save water, and money, from the moment the water starts flowing. Whether you’re updating your shower heads or appliances like washing machines and dishwashers, read on to learn more. This information is brought to you by the Gold Coast’s leading bathroom renovation company, Armrock Constructions. If you’re on the Gold Coast & considering a bathroom renovation, contact our team for free quote:

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The WELS Scheme

In Australia, The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme uses a rating system to help you make informed choices about the water efficiency of products you buy in a store or online. On this page we’ll take a look at this system for insight into choices for kitchen and bathroom renovations. 

The Wels Scheme is a government initiative which you can learn about at waterrating.gov.au. Here, bathroom products are registered and their ratings determined with testing. At the time of writing this article, 39,517 products have been registered! The labels are then displayed on the products instore and look like this sample from waterrating.gov.au:

Water Rating Label

Understanding the Label

The main parts of the label include:

Star Rating

This shows the water efficiency of the product and helps to easily compare products when you’re instore. More stars is good! Less stars may indicate the product is going to be thirstier.. using more water to get the same result.

Water Consumption Information

The middle section of the label shows the amount of water used by the product. This is particularly useful because it shows how much water the products actually use to get the job done. There are different values for different products. The relevant ones for kitchen and bathroom renovations are: 

  • Dishwashers — litres per wash, load capacity of the machine
  • Flow controllers — litres per minute
  • Showers — litres per minute
  • Taps — litres per minute
  • Toilets — litres per average flush, litres per full flush, and litres per half flush
  • Washing machines — litres per wash, load capacity of the machine.

You can read more about this on www.waterrating.gov.au.

Registration and Product Details

Finally, you can read about the product, the manufacturer and the standards that guide how the product was tested. 

How Much Money Can You Save?

According to www.energy.gov.au, by using more water-efficient products, Australians could save $2 Billion by 2030, an average saving of $175 per household per year.

What Are The Thirstiest Appliances?

The biggest water-users in the home are washing machines, showers, taps and toilets. [SRC: www.energy.gov.au]

Saving Water – and Money

The following statistics come from www.waterrating.gov.au and illustrate the savings that can be made in water and money across common bathroom and kitchen fixtures. 

Showers

Flow rates for showers will be expressed on the water rating label in litres per minute (L/min).
Every 1L/min difference will save a typical family of four nearly 12,000 litres (12kL) of water and $35 each year. For this family of four, replacing their shower that flows at 15L/min with a new:

  • 3-star shower that flows at 9L/min will save 70kL and $210 each year on their water bills
  • 4-star shower that flows at 6L/min will save 105kL and $315 per year on their water bills.

Depending on energy costs, they may save an equivalent amount (or more) each year on energy bills because less water will be heated for showers. Assumptions: each family member showers for 8 minutes per day, at an average water price of $2.99/kL (the national average price reported in the 2014–15 Australian Bureau of Statistics Water Account).

Taps

Flow rates for taps will be expressed on the water rating label in litres per minute (L/min).

Every 1L/min difference can save a household nearly 2,000 litres (2kL) of water and $5.50 each year.

Replacing an old inefficient tap with a flow rate of 15L/min with a new:

  • 3-star tap that flows at 9L/min will save 11kL and $33 each year on water bills
  • 6-star tap that flows at 4L/min will save 20kL and $60 each year on water bills.

Depending on energy costs, they may save an equivalent amount (or more) each year on energy bills because less water will be heated.

Assumptions: tap runs for 5 minutes total per day, for tasks including handwashing, tooth brushing, rinsing dishes, rinsing fruit or vegetables, at an average water price of $2.99/kL (the national average price reported in the 2014–15 Australian Bureau of Statistics Water Account). Time the tap is running to fill a basin is not included.

Toilets

For toilets, the water rating label will tell you how much water is used in an average flush.

Every litre less water that a toilet uses in an average flush, will save a typical family of four nearly 6kL and $17.50 each year in water supply charges.

If this family replaces an old single-flush toilet with a flush volume of 12L with a new 4-star toilet with an average flush volume of 3.5L, this will save 50kL and $148 each year on their water bills.

Assumptions: each family member flushes 4 times per day, at an average water price of $2.99/kL (the national average price reported in the 2014–15 Australian Bureau of Statistics Water Account).

Clothes Washing Machines

The water rating label will tell you how much water is used per load, and what cycle was used for the tests (‘normal’, ‘eco’).

For a family that runs one load of washing per day, reducing water use by 10L per load will save 3.7kL and $11 each year.

Choosing a 6kg load capacity washing machine with a 6-star rating that uses 30L per load instead of a 3-star machine using 80L per load will save this family 18kL and $54 each year.

Assumptions: figures are based on average water price of $2.99/kL (the national average price reported in the 2014–15 Australian Bureau of Statistics Water Account).

Dishwashers

The water rating label will tell you how much water is used per load, and what cycle was used for the tests (‘normal’, ‘eco’).

For a family that runs one load of dishes per day, reducing water use by 10L per wash will save 3.7kL and $11 each year.

For a dishwasher that holds 14 place settings, choosing a 6-star machine that uses 9.5L per wash instead of a 2-star machine using 19L per wash will save this family 3.5kL and $20 each year.

Assumptions: figures are based on average water price of $2.99/kL (the national average price reported in the 2014–15 Australian Bureau of Statistics Water Account).

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Filed Under: Renovation Design Tagged With: Dishwashers, Showers, Taps, Water Efficiency, Water Efficiency Rating, WELS

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Keith Munday

Very pleased with a very professional job completed by Roland and his team. Roland never failed to turn up when expected or respond to a message if he was unable to take a call. He was also helpful and patient while we changed our minds repeatedly about what we wanted. We’re getting him back to do the kids bathroom!

 

Terry Christo

We had the pleasure of dealing with Roland and his team. They are professional courteous clean and most importantly excellent communicators during the process. Their workmanship and pride in achieving an excellent result is a breath of fresh air when dealing with trades people. I highly recommend them.

Andrew Watkins

Roland and his team were very professional and affordable. We had two bathrooms and a laundry renovated by Armrock Constructions and we couldn’t be happier. Would definitely recommend them.

Matt Lyons

Attention to detail. Great finish. Highly recommend these guys!

 

Renovation Testimonial

From quote to completion, Armrock was outstanding. We couldn’t be happier. Hassle free and on budget. If you’re after attention to detail you’ve come to the right place. Highly recommended. Thanks again.

 

Reiner Ebenhoch

Armrock Constructions did our powder room first. We were so impressed with their work that we contracted Armrock to do a minor reno to our master bathroom and a major renovation of our guest bath room, which also included the complete rebuilt and conversion of one room into a steam room. Again, Armrock did an excellent job! What sets Roland and his team apart is their customer focus, their uncompromising attitude to quality, integrity and customer satisfaction. We can recommend Roland and his team unconditionally and have so already to many of our friends!

Shayna Kivlins

Highly recommend your company to anyone wanting an amazing and highly professional job done your attention to detail with our kitchen was 120% you were very helpful in all aspects from start to finish and the end product exceeded my expectations. You are a very talented guy and I can’t thank you, Luke the sparkie and Chris the plumber enough for making my kitchen dream come to life.

 

Small Reno Testimonial

I don’t often write reviews but felt this time I had too. A huge thank you to Roland from Armrock constructions. From the first time I contacted Roland he could not have been more helpful and professional. Roland was on time, got the job done and left my home clean and tidy. Please if your wanting a small spruce up or a full reno done these are the people to call. Thanks once again Armrock.

Joel Boniwell

The moment I contacted the owner Roland I was at ease with proceeding with this company. Not only does he come across as a genuine person, he is punctual and sticks to his word. He had everything organised and the renovation of my en-suite went exactly as planned and the quote was spot on. The tradesman he organised for the job are all extremely punctual and extremely qualified at their specific trades. I can’t give this company a stronger recommendation and will be sure to use Roland and his team for any future renovations. A+ Service in an industry that you will seldom find it in.

Lucy Fisher

Great communication, good attention to detail. We were so impressed. Our new ensuite looks amazing!

 

Al Dobie

Roland and his team were fantastic. The work was done on time and of a very high standard. Cheers Roland.

Mark & Di Branks

Roland delivered an exceptional product. Our Bathroom upgrade was completed on time and to budget. As with most renovations there were a number of unforeseen issues and Rolands ability to offer practical, cost effective solutions was exceptional. A very professional, clean and tidy builder and we have no hesitation in recommending his services.

Graham Robertson

Roland renovated both the Ensuite & main bathroom, removing the walls around separate toilets which increased the overall spaces. The team of guys who did the demolition & construction were really easy to deal with & the finish is excellent. It was no problem for us to request minor changes along the way. We’re really pleased with the outcome & would thoroughly recommend.

Geoff Haigh

Excellent workmanship. Professional, on time. Easy to deal with.

Cameron Grant Ruksenas

Great service from the owner Roland. Nothing was a problem and service and price was reasonable! Will recommend to others.

 

Cameron

Roland from Armrock constructions has completed a few projects for our company and is always a pleasure to deal with. Always reliable, not like some tradies we have chosen in the past. Quality is something Roland strives for and it shows in his work. Would recommend to anyone.

 

Richard Anyos

Good, friendly, prompt, reliable service with attention to detail.

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