Fifteen to twenty per cent of all water consumed in the home is used in the laundry, making this room a high consumer of not only water, but also energy and detergents.
There are many inexpensive ways to save water in the laundry. One of the easiest is to install a water efficient washing machine. Many major appliances and tapware products carry water efficiency labels.
Look out for the WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) label - this is displayed on the product or a swing tag. It demonstrates the manufacturers and importers have ensured their product has been tested and complies with the Australian Standard in the respective category.
Washing Machine Tips
- Look for washing machines that have a four or more star rating WELS label.
- Consider buying a water efficient front loading washing machine.
- Check the water efficiency performance of any product before buying.
- Adjust the water level to suit the size of the wash load - some new water efficient models will do this automatically.
- Wash with a full load and you will save 10 litres of water each wash.
- Use the sud-saver option (if your machine has one) when you have several loads to wash.
Top Tap Tips
- Leaking taps can usually be fixed with a new washer. Changing a washer is easy to do, just remember to turn the water off at the mains before you start.
- If the tap still drips, call our First Call Plumbing Referral Service. The cost incurred will save you money on your water bills in the long run.
- Install water efficient tapware or retrofit old tapware with aerators or flow control valves.
