About WELS
At Methven, our commitment to safeguard the Earth’s resources is a key design driver. These results can be seen in technologies such as Satinjet, Twin- Lever tapware and Ceramic Cartridges which can help conserve energy and reduce water usage.
The government initiated Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) is designed to help New Zealanders make informed choices about the water efficiency of products and encourages water conservation. WELS came into effect in New Zealand in April 2011 and will become mandatory by April 2013. The introduction of WELS will mean that new labelling will soon appear on appliances and products that use water in the home, including: washing machines,
dishwashers, toilets, urinals, showers and taps.
This rating system will help you:
• Choose products that use less water but still offer quality and performance.
• Determine how water efficient a product is compared to others in the same class.
• Make informed choices to help use a vital natural resource wisely.
• Encourage manufacturers to design and make water efficient products.
In addition to feeling good about conserving water, making well informed product choices can reduce energy bills (on products that use heated water) and reduce water utility costs (in areas where water is charged separately to rates), by choosing products that use less water but are still functional.
Products covered by WELS:
1. Showers (applies to all shower outlets used primarily for personal bathing)
2. Dishwashers
3. Clothes washing machines
4. Lavatory equipment
5. Urinal equipment
6. Tapware (applies to any tap or tap outlet over a basin, ablution trough, kitchen sink or laundry tub)
Products not covered by WELS:
1. Bath taps, fillers and spouts - no matter the flow rate, a specific volume will be drawn
2. Shower mixers - no outlet
3. Washing machine, cistern and hose taps
If you would like to find out more about WELS, visit www.waterefficiency.govt.nz
WELS regulations require all showerware and tapware manufactured or imported after 1 April 2011 to be labelled appropriately. All products manufactured prior to this date must be labelled appropriately by 1 April 2013. During this period, some products available may not be labelled or match the rating specified in this publication.
At Methven, our commitment to safeguard the Earth’s resources is a key design driver. The results can be seen in technologies such as Satinjet, which can potentially conserve water without compromising a truly great shower. Other technologies such as Twin Lever and Ceramic Cartridges can help conserve energy and reduce water wastage.
The New Zealand Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) is a consumer focused government regulation that helps you make informed choices about the water efficiency of products. It provides information to aid your purchasing decision and to encourage water conservation. The labelling shows the water efficiency and water consumption of shower and tapware products. WELS came into effect in NZ in April 2010 and will become mandatory over the next 3 years*.
A WELS rating provides an average flow rate for a product when tested at various pressures. The rating is displayed with a number of stars, similar to the energy efficiency labels on appliances. The more WELS stars it has, the more water-efficient the product. The WELS label displays two key pieces of information: a star rating indicating relative water efficiency and
a water consumption or water flow figure. Taps and showers are labelled in litres/minute. WELS labels will also indicate the pressure applicable for showers and taps in NZ - mains pressure and/or low/unequal pressure. You will see that all Methven products suitable for all pressure installations will carry two labels.
Each product label displays a star rating out of 6. The more stars the more water efficient. At the moment, showers will only have
a maximum rating of 3 stars, while the other product types can achieve up to 6 stars. This is because New Zealand and Australia do not yet have a laboratory test to ensure that very low-flow shower products will deliver acceptable performance. The WELS system is underpinned by AS/NZS6400.2005 Amendment 3. If a product fails or has
a higher flow than the rating limited, it can still be sold, but must carry a 0 (zero) star label.
Methven NZ tapware and showerware has or is currently being tested to the standards*. It will be rated accordingly and will be available in this publication and on our website. All our products in Australia already come with WELS ratings where this scheme has been compulsory since 2006. Products with Australian WELS labels can continue to be sold in NZ however the Australian label is similar but not quite the same.
Please note that shower mixers, bath spouts, cistern taps, washing machine taps and other non outlet accessories do not require a WELS rating. In the case of shower mixers, the water saving device is the shower outlet (which is rated) and with spouts it makes no sense to restrict water while filling your bath.
If you would like to find out more about WELS, visit www.waterefficiency.govt.nz
*WELS regulations require all tapware and showers manufactured or imported after 1 April 2011 to be labelled appropriately. All products manufactured prior to this date must be labelled appropriately by 1 April 2013. During this period, some product available may not be labelled or match the rating specified in this publication.
