The most water efficient washing machines have at least a 5 star WELS rating
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.
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).