A Guide To Water-Efficient Taps & Toilets For Your Home
- Lewis New
- 9 hours ago
- 7 min read
Are you seeing your Cairns water bills creep up year after year? While our climate can contribute to water usage, one of the biggest culprits might be hiding in plain sight: your old, inefficient taps, toilets, and showerheads. These outdated fixtures can silently waste thousands of litres of water annually, costing your household hundreds of dollars.
This comprehensive 2026 guide is your key to fighting back. We will explain why upgrading to modern, water-efficient fixtures is one of the smartest investments you can make for your home. We'll demystify the official WELS star rating system and show you how to choose the best products that save money without sacrificing performance.
In This Guide:
How Much Water Are Your Old Fixtures Wasting?
Understanding the WELS Star Rating Label
A Guide to Water-Efficient Toilets
Choosing Water-Saving Taps & Showerheads
Will a Water-Saving Shower Have Bad Pressure?
Our goal is to give you the knowledge to upgrade your home with confidence. When you're ready to discuss installation or need expert advice on the best fixtures for your property, our team of Cairns plumbers is here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Making the switch to water-saving plumbing is a smart investment for any Cairns home. Here are our expert answers to the most common questions to help you get started.
Q1. How much money can I actually save with water-efficient fixtures in Cairns?
By upgrading a home's old toilet, showerheads, and taps to modern 4-star WELS rated models, a typical family of four in Cairns can save over 50,000 litres of water per year. This can translate to savings of $200-$400 or more on your annual water and energy bills.
Q2. What is a good WELS rating to look for?
For toilets and showerheads, a 4-star rating is an excellent benchmark for efficiency and performance. For taps, especially in the bathroom, a 5 or 6-star rating is ideal and will provide the greatest savings over time.
Q3. Are there any Queensland Government rebates for installing water-efficient fixtures?
While there have been rebate programs in the past, it's best to check the official Queensland Government websites for the most current information. However, the ongoing savings on your water and energy bills provide a guaranteed financial return on their own.
Q4. How long does it take to install a new toilet or taps?
A straightforward, like-for-like replacement of a toilet or a set of taps can typically be completed by a licensed plumber in just 1 to 2 hours, causing minimal disruption to your day.
How Much Water Are Your Old Fixtures Wasting?
The first step to understanding the value of an upgrade is to see what your old fixtures are costing you. An old, inefficient fixture wastes a staggering amount of water compared to its modern equivalent. When you multiply that waste by the number of times it's used each day, the impact on your water bill becomes clear.
In Cairns, where water is a precious resource, this waste adds up quickly. A single dripping tap can waste over 50 litres a day, costing you more than $150 a year for water you never even used. An old single-flush toilet can use 11-12 litres per flush, while a modern dual-flush toilet uses as little as 3 litres for a half flush. These are just a few of the many common problems we cover in our A Homeowner's Guide to Troubleshooting Plumbing Issues.
The Cost of a Dripping Tap:
A tap dripping just once per second can waste over 20,000 litres of water in a year. Fixing it or upgrading is one of the fastest ways to save money.
Old Toilets vs. New Toilets:
An old single-flush toilet is often the thirstiest appliance in the house. A modern dual-flush model can cut your toilet's water use by up to 70%.
Inefficient Showerheads:
Older showerheads can use 15-20 litres of water per minute. A modern 4-star WELS rated showerhead uses just 6-7 litres per minute while maintaining excellent pressure.
Understanding the WELS Star Rating Label
The WELS star rating is an Australian government scheme that labels water-using products with a rating from 0 to 6 stars. This label is the single most important tool for any consumer. Put simply, more stars mean greater water efficiency, which helps you easily identify products that will save you both water and money.
The WELS label has three key parts that you should look at when making a choice. Understanding this label empowers you to compare products accurately and make a decision based on real data, not just marketing claims.
1. Star Rating (Top Section)
This is the quickest way to compare efficiency at a glance.
It shows a rating from zero to six stars.
More stars = more water efficient. A 6-star tap is the most efficient, while a 1-star product is the least.
2. Water Consumption (Middle Section)
This shows the actual amount of water the product uses.
For showers and taps, this is measured in litres per minute (L/min).
For toilets, this is measured in litres per average flush (L/flush), which is an average of one full flush and four half flushes.
3. Company and Product Details (Bottom Section)
This part provides the specific details of the product.
It includes the company name, their WELS license number, and the product's registration number, so you know it has been officially tested and certified.
A Guide to Water-Efficient Toilets
Choosing the "best" water-saving toilet depends on your priorities, but the key is to look for models with a high WELS star rating (preferably 4-star or higher) and modern flushing technology. Top brands available in Australia like Caroma, TOTO, and Kohler all offer innovative designs for a powerful, clean flush using a fraction of the water of an older toilet.
Beyond the star rating, several key features contribute to a toilet's efficiency and performance. Choosing a new toilet is a key decision in any bathroom upgrade, a process we detail in our guide for Cairns plumbing renovations. Understanding these technologies will help you choose a model that is not only water-efficient but also easier to clean.
Dual-Flush Technology: This is the most common water-saving feature and is a non-negotiable for any modern toilet. It provides two options: a low-volume flush (around 3 litres) for liquid waste and a higher-volume flush (around 4.5 litres) for solid waste.
WELS Rating: As mentioned, always check the label. A 4-star rating is a great benchmark and can save a typical household thousands of litres per year compared to an old toilet.
Rimless Designs: Modern toilets often have a rimless bowl design. This eliminates the traditional rim where germs and grime build up, making the toilet far more hygienic and easier to clean with every flush.
Innovative Flush Technology: Brands like TOTO use "Tornado Flush" systems with multiple nozzles to create a powerful swirling vortex that cleans the bowl more effectively with less water.
Integrated Hand Basins: Some innovative designs, particularly from Caroma, integrate a small hand basin into the top of the toilet's cistern. The water used to wash your hands then drains into the cistern to be used for the next flush, saving even more water.
Choosing Water-Saving Taps & Showerheads
The best water-saving taps and showerheads use clever technology to limit water flow while maintaining a satisfying spray and strong pressure. Top brands like Methven, GROHE, and Hansgrohe offer features like "SatinJet" and "EcoSmart" that deliver a great user experience while significantly cutting your water use. To ensure savings, always look for products with a high WELS rating.
When choosing a new tap or showerhead, it's important to look beyond just the design. Modern features are engineered to give you the feeling of high pressure while using up to 50% less water than an old fixture. This not only saves water but also reduces the energy needed to heat it, lowering both your water and electricity bills.
Top Technologies and What to Look For:
Methven (SatinJet): This technology uses twin jets of water that collide and turn into thousands of tiny, soft droplets, creating a full and luxurious spray while using as little as 6-7 litres per minute.
Hansgrohe (EcoSmart & AirPower): EcoSmart technology uses a precision elastomer to limit water flow, while AirPower technology mixes air with the water, making the droplets feel fuller and softer without using more water.
High WELS Rating: For taps, look for a rating between 4 and 6 stars. For showerheads, a 3 or 4-star rating is excellent, as it provides the best balance between water savings and practical performance.
Flow Regulators: These small devices can be added to existing taps or fixtures to control and reduce the water flow, offering a cost-effective way to save water without a full replacement.
Will a Water-Saving Shower Have Bad Pressure?
This is the most common concern we hear from homeowners, but the answer is a resounding no. Modern water-saving showerheads are expertly engineered to maintain a strong, satisfying spray. They don't just restrict the water; they use technology to make the water you do use work smarter.
The "low-flow" showerheads of the past often just felt weak. Today's high-efficiency models create the feeling of high pressure by using technology to make the water work smarter. It's important to distinguish this from general low water pressure, which is often caused by leaks or blockages in your pipes, not the fixture itself. A quality fixture makes all the difference, ensuring you can save water without sacrificing your morning shower experience.
Technology is the Key Modern showerheads use physics to make the water feel more voluminous, so you don't notice the lower flow rate.
Aeration Creates a Softer, Fuller Spray Mixing air into the water stream creates larger, lighter droplets that provide great coverage and a pleasant feel.
Look for Quality Brands Brands like Methven and Hansgrohe have invested heavily in creating technologies that deliver a great shower experience with less water.
Conclusion
Upgrading to water-efficient taps, toilets, and showerheads is one of the smartest and fastest ways to reduce your household running costs and lower your environmental impact in Cairns. By understanding the WELS rating system and the modern technology available, you can choose fixtures that provide a fantastic user experience while delivering significant long-term savings.
This is not just an expense but an investment in a more sustainable and cost-effective home. For professional advice and installation of the best water-saving fixtures for your property, contact Oakland Plumbing today to speak with our expert team.
