WELS, the Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme, is the tick rating PUB requires on every shower fitting sold in Singapore. More ticks means less water for the same shower. It's printed right on the product spec, but almost nobody explains what the jump from 2 ticks to 3 ticks actually costs you in comfort or saves on your water bill. Here's the short version, using real listings from the catalog.
What the ticks mean
- 3 ticks: the most water-efficient rain shower systems sold here. Example: the G.Ferretti GGF 52009A Black, a 3-way rain shower system with a 3-tick WELS rating, 200mm overhead and a 3-function hand shower.
- 2 ticks: a step down in efficiency, usually paired with a larger overhead or a different diverter setup. Example: the G.Ferretti GGF 48009, 2-tick WELS, 230mm overhead (30mm larger than the 3-tick model above), also a 3-way system.
Both are full rain shower systems from the same brand with a similar function count. The real difference buyers feel is the overhead size and the water-efficiency tier, not build quality.
Does a higher tick rating mean weaker water pressure?
Not necessarily. WELS measures flow rate at a standard test pressure, not the pressure your unit will deliver. A 3-tick shower on a well-pressured system can feel identical to a 2-tick one; the WELS number tells you how much water it uses to get there, not how strong it feels.
How to compare before you order
| Model | WELS rating | Overhead size | Hand shower | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.Ferretti GGF 52009A (Black) | 3 ticks | 200mm | 3 functions | $405.00 |
| G.Ferretti GGF 48009 (Chrome) | 2 ticks | 230mm | 3 functions | $585.00 |
Price doesn't track ticks in a straight line. Finish, system length and diverter type move the number more than the WELS rating does. Check the full spec sheet, not just the tick count, before you decide. If your household showers back to back often, pair the shower choice with your water heater's tank size too, since a bigger overhead pulls hot water faster than a single-person basin tap.
FAQ
What does WELS stand for?
WELS stands for Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme, PUB's mandatory water-efficiency rating for showers, taps and other fittings sold in Singapore. More ticks means the fitting uses less water for the same function.
Is a 3-tick shower always more expensive than a 2-tick one?
No. Price is driven mainly by finish, system length and diverter type, not the WELS rating on its own, as the comparison table above shows.
Where can I check PUB's official WELS requirements?
PUB (Singapore's National Water Agency) publishes the current WELS scheme requirements and ratings directly. See PUB's WELS page for the official standard.
Still deciding between a 2-tick and 3-tick model? The full Rain Shower collection has WELS ratings, overhead sizes and finishes listed on every product page, or browse the full catalog if you're planning more than one fixture at once.