A boiling water tap offers an instant source of 99degC water and can be used for a range of purposes including making tea, coffee or instant meals as well as sterilising baby bottles. They can be installed under your sink or in a separate hot water dispenser.
Look for a model that has a warning light to indicate when the filter needs replacing (this should be done every six to 12 months). This helps reduce energy waste and costs.
1. Convenience
Having to wait for your hot water system to heat up is an inconvenience and also a waste of energy. A lot of people don’t realise how much water is wasted while they are waiting, which can be especially frustrating when you’re washing a pan or boiling a kettle.
An instant hot water tap can eliminate the need for a kettle, which will save you time and energy. A plumbed in instant hot water tap uses a compact water heater under the sink to heat cold water up to near-boiling temperature quickly on demand. This can make tasks like brewing tea, cooking instant meals and cleaning greasy dishes more efficient.
Most instant boiling taps feature a sprung safety handle that will prevent accidental scalding, meaning you can use them safely in any situation. The handle will also return to the off position once you have dispensed your boiling water so that you cannot accidentally leave it running.
Instant boiling taps can also come in a larger capacity than traditional kettles, which means that if everyone in your office is desperate for a quick cup of tea or coffee they will be able to get one instantly. This will allow your employees to stay hydrated and productive throughout the day, helping them perform their best at work. A lot of us don’t drink enough water, so a boiling tap can encourage more hydration in the workplace, which will help keep your team healthy and happy.
2. Saves Energy
With the busy lives most of us lead, any appliance or kitchen addition that saves time is welcomed. The instant boiling water tap is no exception. These small units, which are installed underneath the sink, dispense boiling water at a temperature between 92-100°C (near-boiling). The water is heated by a small tank that is connected to your existing hot water system.
When the water is dispensed, the flow is aerated, which reduces the likelihood of accidental scalding. As a safety measure, most manufacturers have also designed the button to require double-pressing and twisting to activate. This, combined with a red flashing ring that warns the user that boiling water is being dispensed, helps prevent misuse and ensures that only the amount of hot water required is dispensed.
Boiling water taps can also be more energy efficient than kettles. It’s a well-known fact that people tend to overfill the kettle and boil far more than is needed, resulting in wasted water and energy. This is not only inconvenient, but experts are now reporting that repeatedly re-boiling water can concentrate undesirable chemicals in the drinking water.
Although the energy consumption of a boiling water tap varies depending on each individual’s use, it is estimated to be a fraction of the energy used by an ordinary hot water system. This is because the boiling water tap only has to keep a certain level of water at near-boiling temperature, rather than heating cold water from scratch and constantly reheating it as an ordinary hot water tank does.
3. Saves Money
In addition to providing a range of convenience features, instant boiling water taps can also help save energy in your home. This is because these types of taps heat the water only when it’s dispensed, rather than continuously heating up a kettle for multiple uses.
Expert Energy estimates that a boiling hot water tap will use up to 50% less energy than a traditional kettle – saving you money on your power bills. Additionally, these types of taps are designed to only dispense the amount of boiling water required and have safety features that prevent accidental scalding.
A boiling hot water tap’s insulated tank will hold the boiling water at a temperature that is just short of 100oC, so it will only be released when you press on the tap or twist the handle. The sprung safety handle ensures that you won’t be able to turn the handle back to release the boiling water and that you can’t accidentally leave it running.
In addition to the aforementioned safety features, many boiling water taps also feature a filter that helps to reduce the amount of limescale in your water. However, it’s important to note that these filters will need to be replaced periodically, and if you fail to do so, it could invalidate your warranty. It’s best to check your manufacturer’s recommendations for filter replacement and maintenance.
4. Reduces Waste
Rather than boiling a kettle for a cup of tea or hot chocolate, and then pouring out the water when it’s finished, an instant hot water tap allows you to dispense just the amount of water you need. This cuts down on the number of gallons that go down the drain while you wait for your next cup, and can lower the energy costs for a whole host of other household tasks.
When you switch on your tap, cold water is quickly heated to near-boiling temperature by an electric heating element in the water tank, and the water is dispensed at a consistent flow rate. This cuts down on the energy consumed by boiling a kettle and can save thousands of gallons each year for households across Australia.
Boiling water taps can also be paired with a water filter to reduce the amount of harmful impurities and bacteria in your drinking water. For instance, the Zip HydroTap and Billi Ecotap both include a water filter to improve the quality of your tap water while it’s being dispensed.
If you’re considering swapping your kettle for an instant hot or boiling water tap, talk to a licensed plumbing professional about the options available. They can help you select a model that’s right for your home, ensure it’s correctly connected to your water supply and electricity system, and provide expert installation.
Leave a Reply