WHY INVEST IN BOILING WATER TAPS?

In modern kitchen design, the use of boiling water taps is on the rise. They look exactly like normal taps except they can instantly dispense boiling water – so no more waiting around for your kettle to boil. Here, we’re going to look at the facts, and answer your questions, so you can decide for yourself if they’re worth paying extra for.

Is it cheaper to operate a boiling water tap than a kettle?

Yes. A boiling water tap costs around 3p per day to operate, whilst a kettle boils a litre of water for roughly 2.5p. Most households boil their kettles several times a day, making it more expensive to run than a boiling water tap. The installation and running expenses of a boiling water tap are, however, considerably greater.

ARE BOILING WATER TAPS SAFE TO USE?

All taps are heavily insulated, so the metal doesn’t get hot when in use. Most boiling water taps come with childproof handles to ensure they remain safe in households with younger children. Not only that but the water is dispensed at a low pressure to avoid splashing and the possibility of the user getting hurt.

HOW DO BOILING WATER TAPS WORK?

Boiling water taps rely on an electric tank to store hot water. This tank is generally placed beneath the sink, but it may be positioned elsewhere. Before you buy a boiling water tap, make sure it can be plugged into a 13-amp power socket. Most homes don’t have them under the kitchen sink, and you might need to get an electrician to install one. This can be very expensive if you’re just installing the tap so consider doing it when you have other electrical work done, perhaps as part of a bigger kitchen refurbishment project.

What kind of tap do I need?

There are a few options

• Boiling water only – from its own dedicated tap.

• 2 in 1 – provides both cold and boiling water.

• 3 in 1 – distributes hot and cold mains water, as well as boiling water.

• 4 in 1 – dispenses filtered water, hot and cold mains water, and boiling water.

• 5 in 1 - Quooker is one of several manufacturers that now produces taps that also dispense sparkling filtered water (check out the Quooker Cube).

It really comes down to what you’re going to use the tap for. The more features the tap has, the more expensive it will be. Water tanks can hold anything from 2 to 11 litres. Most households will do fine with a 2-litre tank but do make sure you know how long it takes to refill and reheat.  

What are the benefits of a boiling water tap?

The most obvious reason to purchase a boiling water tap is that it saves time. Other benefits include:

• Boiling water taps speed up cooking times because you’ll never have to wait for the water to boil.

• They’re great for people with mobility issues who struggle with the weight of heavy kettles.

• You’ll have instantaneous access to boiling water, saving you time when you’re making your morning cuppa. Did you know the average person spends over 18 hours a year waiting for a kettle to boil? Just think what you could do with that extra time?

• They’re good for the environment. With fewer kettles being used, there will be less plastic waste and our landfills won't become as full of old appliances.

Finally, they look stylish in a modern kitchen design and can help sell homes because potential buyers want what they see on television ads.

Are boiling water taps energy efficient?

Boiling water taps use far less energy to heat water than a kettle does. They also help to reduce water waste by ensuring that users only use the amount of water they need. Have you ever overfilled your kettle? Or, because you forgot about it, have you ever boiled it twice? The combination of these factors makes your boiling water tap more energy efficient than a conventional kettle.

Do boiling water taps need a lot of maintenance?

You can't descale them like you do with a kettle. When you buy a boiling water tap, make sure you change the filters every 6-12 months to make them last longer. These filters can be bought online. Read the instructions carefully before you try to change your filter. It is not very hard, but if you don't know how to do it, we can come and change it for you.

Speak to one of our designers if you’re thinking about getting a boiling water tap. They can talk you through your options and can help you decide which (if any) might be best for you.

For more information, keep reading