By 2021, using water efficient household fittings and appliances could save Australians more than $600 million through reduced water and energy bills, according to Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme figures.

Two years ago, Australian governments made the WELS scheme mandatory for labelling and applying minimum performance standards to many water-using products. There are also voluntary schemes such as the Smart Approved WaterMark program aimed at reducing outdoor water use and the National Water Conservation Labelling Scheme for a variety of household products.

Allowing a quick comparison between the water efficiency of products, the WELS labelling scheme applies to any tap or tap outlet for use over a basin, trough, sink or laundry tub and provides water efficiency information for toilet suites, urinal equipment, showers and tapware. It gives a star rating, similar to the energy rating label. The water efficiency rating extends from non compliance (zero stars) to a maximum water efficiency of 6 stars. It also gives a lab-tested figure showing the water flow for the product.

“Showers that comply with all the relevant performance requirements of the current Shower Standard (AS/NZS 3662) and have flow rates of 9 litres per minute or less are limited to 3 stars, because it was believed that not all lower flow showers would provide an effective, satisfactory and comfortable shower,” says Peter Conaghan, business development manager at Perfectflow. “It was believed that additional performance requirements were necessary before showers should be allowed to be rated higher than 3 stars.”

Efficient showerheads use less water and water heaters do not need to work as hard. While there are many variables, WELS data suggests a water efficient showerhead may save over 40 per cent on water heating costs and 14,500 litres per household each year.

Conaghan says when it comes to water efficient showerheads, it is the internal design, in combination with the use of a restrictor, that usually makes the difference. Rather than attempting to reduce water use by aerating the water, the Perfectflow Ultimate Showerhead uses patented technology that involves water being propelled through different chambers inside the showerhead. “The inherent problem of aeration techniques is that the water temperature can drop to a less than satisfying shower experience,” Conaghan says.

Perfectflow Ultimate uses 5.5 litres per min of water and is Australian-manufactured from a combination of high grade ABS plastics and brass. Conaghan says that installation is easy. “All that is required is an adjustable spanner. You simply unscrew the old showerhead anti-clockwise, clean the exposed thread and bind the thread sealing tape provided with the product in a clockwise direction. The only thing left to do then is screw the new energy and water saving showerhead on to the exposed thread clockwise.”

Perfectflow is currently developing a handheld version of its showerhead and auto-sensing tap aerators for use in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom.

Shape and size are key challenges in effective and efficient showerhead design. “Water efficiency is largely influenced through the use of additional technologies such as pressure compensating flow controls,” says Tim Fisher, technical manager at Enware.

According to WELS data, typical taps discharge 15 litres per minute to 18 litres per minute. Taps with an aerator or flow restrictor may reduce flow to less than a third of this. Enware’s Australian-manufactured shower and tapware product ranges are all Watermark licensed for installation to AS3500 designed plumbing systems. DZR brass, compliant elastomers, ceramics and stainless steel are some of the core materials used.

Enware offers a range of self-closing options to ensure taps are not left on, and Fisher emphasises that water efficiency is about more than just low flow rates, “Flow rates must meet the application,” he says, citing hospital and commercial needs. “In these circumstances, lowest is not always best, nor even applicable.”

Fisher says the drive to simply reduce flow rates cannot be done in isolation, otherwise heated water infrastructure may not function correctly. New Australian Standard performance criteria are currently being developed to ensure that water efficient showers also deliver comfort and stable water temperatures. Enware’s upcoming Aquablend thermostatic technology is designed to provide an accurate and efficient mixing of heated and cold water at the point of use, reducing water wastage through inefficient manual mixing at a tap or shower set.

Hansa Green is a range of water efficient luxury bathroom and kitchen mixers in chrome plated brass that have a 6 star WELS Rating and use less than 4.5 litres per minute. The range includes a 10-year warranty on cartridge, a two-stage water brake for added water efficiency and a temperature limiting stop.

“In basin and sink mixers, they are normally combined with an aerator in the spout, which are pre-installed at the point of manufacture, but are generally able to be retrofitted,” say Roger Macknish, marketing manager at Starion Industries, Australian distributor of Hansa tapware. He says Hansa’s Green range requires no more work to install than a normal mixer tap. “The 6 star rating means they use less water — up to 40 per cent less water than similar mixers. In terms of flow rates, the Hansa Prado Neu Green is the most efficient, with 3.9 litres per minute on the basin mixer and 3.8 litres per minute on the sink mixer.”

Hansa product development is currently focused on the actual water delivery method — the Stela basin mixer uses a cascade function in conjunction with joystick controls, while Hansa’s 2Day shower has a cascade function as well as a standard spray.

Rather than retrofit flow restrictors, Caroma Dorf has re-engineered its tapware to integrate flow regulators. According to the company, this maximises performance while saving water, maintaining a constant flow rate at all water pressures and preventing leakage. Caroma Dorf has also added copper jumper valves with a 12-month warranty to its range of water efficient tapware.

The Dorf Oasis and Krysten vegie spray sink mixers feature pull-out handpieces with aerator streams or rain sprays of water to suit kitchen tasks. They feature a 4 star WELS rating, all-metal body construction and a ceramic disc mixer cartridge.

The new Caroma Dorf Smart tapware range includes patented Dorf Ceradisc and Eco-Temp technologies. According to the company, Ceradisc provides precise control over the water mix to deliver just the right amount of water at the right temperature. Eco-Temp uses a spring loaded cartridge to ensure that when the mixer is turned on, it reaches a pre-determined, comfortable temperature, thereby preventing accidental scalding and saving energy.

Using water efficient fittings in kitchens and bathrooms offers the potential to cut household water usage by over half. With water conservation being one of the most important ongoing issues in Australia, it can be expected more and more homeowners and businesses will enquire about water efficient fittings for new construction or renovations.

Jon Hoel

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