Boiling water taps are a kitchen convenience that save time, money and energy. Many models also dispense chilled and even sparkling water too.
They work by heating water in a tank fitted under your sink unit until you need it. Then you simply turn the tap and it flows straight into your mug, saucepan or jug.
Easy to use
Boiling water taps make tea, coffee and hot chocolate easier than ever to prepare. They also make blanching vegetables, cooking pasta and noodles, and cleaning up the kitchen a quicker task. They’re a great alternative to kettles too, as they save energy by using less energy, and they are far more efficient than boiling up a pot of water.
Typically, boiling water taps are plumbed into a boiler tank that’s fitted in the cupboard below your sink. The tank heats the water to its maximum 98°C temperature. When you turn on the tap, cool water flows into the tank and dispenses boiling water through the tap’s spout. The spout is thermally insulated, so it doesn’t get hot to the touch and you can safely swivel the tap nozzle around your worktop.
If you’re looking for a simpler tap solution, there are some models that only dispense boiling water from their dedicated spout. However, these don’t tend to be as flexible or efficient as a 3-in-1 tap.
You’ll need to make sure your plumbing and home water pressure is a suitable fit for a boiling water tap, as they are usually designed to work at a minimum of 3 bar. You can check your home’s water pressure with a simple test here.
Saves you time
A boiling water tap works just like a regular tap but can dispense hotter, instant water. The tap has a tank underneath which is plugged into your mains and water supply. The tap can be switched on and off so that the water only dispenses when it is needed. These taps are perfect for people with busy lifestyles. It saves them the time of boiling the kettle each time they need a cup of tea or coffee. It is also useful for parents who need to sterilize bottles to feed their babies.
They are also energy efficient, saving you money on your electricity bills. Kettles can use up a lot of electricity to bring them to a boil, which translates into higher household bills. Boiling water taps, on the other hand, are always ready to dispense boiling water whenever you need it.
You can choose from different models that can dispense only boiling water, filtered hot and cold or all of them. Some brands like Qooker and Zip use a pressurised system while others, such as Mokka and Cuppa, are non-pressurised or vented. These taps can be installed easily in your kitchen and are available at a reasonable price. However, before purchasing one of these taps, make sure that it is fitted by a qualified plumber. Also, check whether the model you are looking for has a child lock to prevent children from turning on the tap.
Saves you money
Having instant access to boiling water eliminates the need to boil the kettle, saving you time and energy. It also prevents over-filling the kettle, which can waste energy and water – a habit that’s estimated to contribute up to 3500 tonnes of wasted water each year.
Boiling water taps are designed with energy efficiency in mind and operate by keeping a tank of water at a constant boiling temperature, which is then dispensed when needed. Many models have insulated tanks, which minimises heat loss and helps save energy. Boiling water taps are more energy-efficient than traditional kettles, especially if you use them frequently throughout the day. However, it’s important to remember that these taps are constantly on standby and do require a small amount of energy to operate (depending on the model you choose), so it may be some time before you see significant energy savings.
The most economical option is a pure boiling water tap, which has a dedicated spout for dispensing only boiling water. Hanstrom does not manufacture these taps as we find them to be less useful than a regular mixer tap, which can dispense hot and cold water. If you want to save even more money, opt for a boiling water tap that can dispense sparkling cold water instead of regular cold – check the product specifications for this option.
Saves the environment
Boiling water taps save energy as well as money as they dispense only the amount of boiling water you need. They also don’t need the constant preheating that kettles require as they utilise an already hot water supply from your home or office plumbing system. Some taps even have a built-in water filter that makes the water tastier and more refreshing. Some brands, like Quooker and Billi, even use carbon filters to reduce the smell of chlorine in tap water.
Although there is a higher upfront cost to invest in a boiling water tap, most models will pay for themselves within an affordable timeframe as far as electricity costs are concerned. And they help to conserve one of the most precious natural resources – water.
The reason why you hear the sound of boiling water when you turn on a tap is because steam bubbles form inside the pipe as the water boils, then slam into each other – converting energy into percussive sound waves. This is the same phenomenon that causes pipes to rattle and bang against each other when they are full of compressed air.
The good news is that instant boiling water taps don’t produce the same noise. However, it’s important to switch off your tap if you don’t need to use it at night to help minimise standby energy consumption and maximise savings.