Understanding the Water Ratings When Purchasing New Toilets

It is about environmentally conscious by saving as much clean water as we can.

Have you ever wondered how much water your household consumes? And how much of that is unnecessary?  The standard flush toilet uses up to about 11 liters of water per flush, that’s too much water literally going down the drain.  Thankfully, toilet and water tap manufacturers are required by the Australian government to design water efficient flush toilets and water taps. 

So if you are going to purchase a toilet for your new home or for renovation purposes, your choice in toilets will dictate how much water your household consumes.  About 25% of total household water consumption comes from toilet flushing, which is why it’s best that you are aware of the rating system that is indicated in each toilet’s label or the WELS Scheme. 

WELS stands for Water Efficiency Labeling and Standards scheme.  The WELS water rating label provides two pieces of information that help you compare toilets that are available in stores.  First is the one to six star rating which indicates the toilet’s water efficiency level. Second is the amount of water consumed per flush and half flush.  The higher the number of stars and the lower the number or liters used per flush means the toilet is much more water efficient. 

The rating is provided by testing laboratories that are accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities.  These independent laboratories tests the performance of each toilet before it is introduced in the market.

Currently, the most common rating you will find that is given to most water saving toilets available in showrooms today is between 3 to 4 stars. These ratings allow your household to save water up to 45% and 55%. The only 5 star rated toilets available include integrated hand basins. These toilets reuse the fresh water already used for hand washing.

It’s a good idea to consider dual flush toilets for your home.  Pressure flush is also more efficient than the usual gravity flush toilet because it provides more power in getting rid of the debris. 

The WELS scheme is not exclusive to toilets, the rating scheme encompasses all products that uses water – water taps, showers, washing machines and dishwashers.  So the next time you purchase any of these products make sure you compare not only design and price but also the water rating for a more water efficient household.

Trends in Bathroom Fittings and Bathroom Essentials

Bathrooms can be quite an exciting room to remodel or redesign.  It is usually the smallest room in the house but there are more essential elements in a bathroom than in a living room – details and fixtures you cannot do without, otherwise, it’s not a bathroom at all.

Bathroom Fittings

Probably every small object that you’ll find in a bathroom falls under the category of bathroom fittings but are they essential too?  Definitely.  So as a new homeowner or first time renovator, what are the bathroom fittings you really need and what are the ones you can do without?

The Standard Tap

Nowadays, the standard tap does not belong in the bathroom or the kitchen, its rightful place is out in the garage or the garden.  Water control is good but not user friendly, especially not for people with kids. The household potential for losing liters and liters of water is quite great because children often soap their hands without turning off the tap. 

The Standard Mixer

This innovation allows you to control water temperature and that is a good thing but as for water flow control, it’s the same as the standard tap because to keep that same temperature, you will need to keep it running.  The standard dual control mixer is great for homes in areas where water pressure is not so good.  If you are conscious about your water consumption, get a mixer with a separate lever (or button) for water control.

The Electronic Tap or Auto Tap

This particular bathroom fitting is a big hit for people who want to be environmentally friendly.  It has a built in sensor that opens a valve for a few seconds and automatically turns off after a few seconds. 

The Digital Tap

It’s a digitally controlled tap, mainly used in showers and sometimes the kitchen.  The price tag of course is mind boggling but that’s the price of convenience. 

Other Bathroom Fittings and Accessories

What is a bathroom without mirrors?  The question is whether you want your bathroom to look classic or clinical.  For classic, go with a well framed mirror and for clinical go for the one with a medicine cabinet behind it.

Shower Curtains or Shower Glass Doors

It all depends on how much time you can dedicate to clean it.  You can take down curtains but you can’t take down glass doors all the time.

Storage, Tissue Holders and Soap Dishes – Built in or Free Standing

For people who get easily bored, free standing objects make sense.  On the other hand built-in bathroom fittings and elements make sense for bathrooms with very limited space.

So, if you are on the verge of rearranging your bathroom, take these few things in consideration.  It’s good to have ideas of your own before you hire a decorator or go out window shopping.

Types of Toilets

If you think that choosing toilets (the fixture) is easy and all you need to choose from is color or design, then you are wrong.  There are different types of toilets to choose from depending on your need, taste and space – each type have different features that you should know before you head out to the store.  Otherwise, you’ll get confused and might pick one you’ll regret.

Dual Flush or Single Flush

You may have encountered them before – some feature buttons on top of the tank, half the button is for half flush and the other half full flush, others have standard levers that half flush at half crank and full flush at full crank.  This feature is meant to control water consumption, so you have the option to save up to 3 liters every time you flush as opposed to a single full flush that uses all the water in the tank even if you don’t need it.  

Water Rating or WELS

Did you know toilets have different water usage rating?  It all depends on how it is designed. Be sure that you check out the water rating badge before you make a decision, especially if you are running a huge household or a dormitory.  WELS means Water Efficiency Labeling and Standards scheme.  This scheme was established in Australia in 2005 where certain products are requires to be registered and labeled with a water efficiency information in accordance with the set standards under the WELS Act of 2005.  The lowest rating is 1 star up to a high rate of 6 stars.  The average water efficient toilets usually have the lowest rating of 4 to 5 stars.

One Piece, Two Piece or Wall Faced

The most common or popular toilet is the two piece toilet with its tank separate from the pan and the one piece toilet is self-explanatory.  The only difference between the two is that the one piece is easier to clean.  On the other hand, wall faced toilets are designed differently and are understandably more expensive. The Geberit In-Wall Cistern is the most popular mounted system that goes with a wall faced pan.  The cistern is installed inside the wall and preferably before the room is finished. 

Gravity Assisted or Pressure Assisted Flushing System

Gravity assisted toilets is the oldest and most common flushing system and it is understandably cheaper than the more modern pressure assisted flush system.  A pressure assist toilet cleans the bowl better than the gravity assist ones.  It forces everything from the tank into the bowl through the trap and down the sewer more efficiently and quickly.

The Sydney Sofa Bed

One of the most innovative furniture designs that are both practical and ingenious is the sofa bed.  The comfort of two types of furniture rolled into one (not at the same time of course).  In Sydney, sofa beds are available in most furniture shops.  But it is not that easy to choose which one to buy because there are a variety of sofa beds in Sydney and there are certain considerations you need to take into account. 

It is a good idea to do a little Sydney window shopping first before you make any decision to purchase.   Leave you checkbook and credit card behind especially if you know that you are an impulsive buyer. Here are a few things you need to know about the sofa beds available in Sydney.

1.       Prices and longevity. The tag prices on Sydney sofa beds range between $300 to over $1000.  The ones that priced over $500 are usually sturdy enough to withstand a few years or double life – sofa by day, bed by night.  It is great for studios and first time apartment owners.  Cheaper sofa beds are the ones you can furnish your guest room with.

2.       There are a lot of designs to choose from.  Yes, once you are out there window shopping, you’ll get the surprise of your life.  The sofa bed has risen in popularity that a lot of local designers have taken interest in them and created their own take on the sofa bed.  So it is very important that you have an idea of the purpose of the sofa bed you are looking for.

3.       The good furniture shops in Sydney have an online catalog.  So before you step out, it’s a good idea to check out furniture websites.  Check out this website for simple yet elegant sofa bed designs. Even custom made ones!

4.       Sofa bed hardware mechanisms.  The over-all design may be the first thing you see and appreciate but it should not be your first consideration.  There are pull outs that make use of metal frame work that fully extend into a bed with foldable “feet”.  Make sure that these are fully functional and sturdy.  There are sofa beds that have cushions that are folded out or extended to make a bed, check out the sliders if there are ones installed.

Once you have made your rounds it’s easier to make a decision you know you’ll be very happy with.  Just do not forget to ask questions regarding warranties and upholstery care.