5 star water efficient washing machines
Flow rates for washing machines are expressed on the water rating label by the average total water consumption.The most water efficient washing machines have at least a 5 star WELS rating
Testing
Washing machines are tested for:
• average total water consumption
• rinse performance
• severity of wash
• soil removal
• wash of a normally soiled cotton load (at the rated load capacity of the machine)
• water efficiency rating (based on total water consumption and rated capacity)
• water extraction.
Financial savings
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).
