A Guide to Boiling Water Taps
Have you been hearing about boiling water taps lately? Perfect if you want to upgrade your kitchen. If you want to streamline your countertops and bring ultimate convenience to your kitchen, these are the perfect taps for you!
Take a look at our guide for everything you need to know about boiling water taps...
What is a Boiling Water Tap?
When it comes to boiling water taps there are several options to choose from, giving you flexibility on what works best for you and your kitchen. There are plenty of ranges of multi-functional boiling water taps that can sit in your sink like a regular kitchen tap, giving you everything you need all in one single tap. They look and work just like you would expect a normal tap with their regular hot and cold function, except they come with the added ability to produce boiling water on demand - and even filtered cold water too! Alternatively, you can also choose to have a separate tap from your regular hot/cold water kitchen tap, giving you a dedicated place for your instant boiling water.
Read more: Kitchen Tap Buying Guide
There are a few different types of hot water taps available to choose from:
- Boiling water only - they only dispense filtered boiled water and are separate from your regular hot/cold tap
- 3-in-1 taps - these dispense normal hot and cold water, plus a third option for filtered boiled water
- 4-in-1 taps - along with the above, they also give you the option of filtered cold and boiling water
You can buy boiling water taps with tanks provided, so you have everything you need to set one up. We'll explain more about the tanks further down...
Filtered cold water feature
4-in-1 taps also dispense filtered cold water, eliminating the need for a separate water filter which just takes up important fridge space. As well as standard cold water, with 4-in-1 taps, you get filtered cold water too. It’s controlled with a simple touch button or lever and provides you with crisp, cold filtered water on demand. It tastes great because impurities, limescale, and even hardness are filtered out so you’re left with nothing but the best drinking water.
Why get a boiling water tap?
So, why would you want to install a boiling water tap in your kitchen?
If you’re wondering what you would use it for, other than constant cups of tea, here are some more reasons why they are a worthy kitchen addition:
- You can get rid of your kettle - this means your countertops can look less cluttered.
- Quick-cooking - pour boiling water straight into your pans to save time, or pour over things like noodles or couscous to cook healthy meals fast.
- Reduce water waste - unlike with a kettle, you only use the amount of water you need.
- Easy to use - if anyone in your household has trouble lifting a kettle, a hot water tap is a much easier option.
- Time-saving - some electric kettles can take up to four minutes to boil, so no more wasting time waiting for your water to be ready
Read more: Easy Kitchen Renovation Tips
How do boiling water taps work?
Boiling water taps work with the help of an electric-powered hot water tank. These tanks plug directly into a power socket and are connected to your water supply. They heat the water and store it in the tank - when you turn your tap on to use the boiling water, it can then be delivered instantaneously. These tanks have been designed for convenience, with easy-to-use controls and/or digital screens.
Most households should be able to install a boiling water tap. All you need to check is:
- You have space to mount the water tank - most people put theirs in their under sink cabinet
- You have an accessible power socket to plug the tank into
- Your water pressure is sufficient - any requirements should be made clear by the manufacturer
Despite their name, most boiling hot water taps dispense water at around 98°- 99°C. This accounts for the loss of heat in the time it takes to travel out of the tap and into your cup. However, as many lovers of boiling water taps point out, tea or coffee should not be made with boiling hot water, anyway!
Many of the best hot water taps also come with adjustable temperature options - so you can choose just how hot your water is.
Are boiling water taps safe?
The safety of boiling water taps is often a concern to those thinking of buying one for the first time. However, there are extremely reliable measures in place that make the risk of water burns as minimal as possible.
Hot water taps work with the use of a safety button, which you must hold down in order to use the tap. As soon as you release it, the water shuts off, so you can’t leave the water running without your control. They are also heavily insulated, so the metal does not get hot to the touch.
In addition, boiling water taps are also heavily insulated, so the metal does not get hot to the touch. They also operate at a much lower water pressure than your regular hot and cold taps. This prevents boiling water from splashing uncontrollably, so you aren’t caught by hot spitting water.
How do you install a boiling water tap?
If you are worried that installing a boiling water tap will be a big job, you’ll be pleased to hear that it is actually very simple! Watch this handy video below...
The first thing to point out is that boiling hot water taps are almost always a monobloc style. This means that they comprise of one single unit, rather than two separate pillar taps. If you are replacing an old monobloc tap, then it should be quite straightforward. If, however, you are replacing two separate hot and cold taps, you will need to adapt your plumbing. You will probably also need a new sink with just one hole cut in it, instead of two.
All in all, if you know how to fit new taps without a boiling water feature, you should be able to work out how to install a boiling water tap yourself. There will just be a couple more connections to get into place, which should be instructed in your manual. Just be aware that the tank is electric operated, so ensure all fittings are watertight.
If you are in any doubt, it’s best to ask a plumber to do the job.
Are boiling water taps expensive to run?
Another common question is whether using a hot water tap will end up costing more than boiling the kettle.
Firstly, boiling water taps can have a high setup cost - they are undoubtedly more expensive than a regular tap and kettle put together! However, the time they save you in your busy life will very much be worth it.
How much does a boiling water tap cost to run?
When it comes to running them, boiling water taps do not run up a bill any higher that a kettle - sometimes, it’s even less! It is said that the average kettle costs around 2.5p to boil - with 40% of us boiling 5 times a day or more.
In contrast, the most efficient boiling water tap claims it costs just 3p to run per day! Most of us also tend to overfill our kettles, or even boil it twice if we have forgotten about it. This leads to lots of wasted energy and water. Your tap solves this problem, allowing you to use just as much as you need - making them more energy efficient, too.
There is one more cost to factor in with a boiling water tap, too. To prevent limescale build up, they require a filter to keep themselves clean. This needs replacing every 6 months or so.
Which is the best boiling water tap?
If you have made your mind up to invest in a boiling water tap, you will want to find the best one for your budget and your needs.
Some things you should consider are:
- Tank size - a larger tank allows you to use the hot water more often
- Temperature options - some taps have more temperature settings available than others
- Do you want filtered water? - for an added luxury, some hot water taps offer filtered cold water, too
- Tap size - do you want a compact tap in addition to your sink? Or one standalone tap that can do all?
Now you know a little more about boiling water taps, take a look at our fantastic range of other kitchen items, such as kitchen sinks, waste disposal units, and splashbacks.
If you're looking for more information on kitchen taps, you might find the following posts helpful - Kitchen Taps Buying Guide - Easy Upgrade: The Best Kitchen Taps - How to Choose the Right Kitchen Tap.
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