From baristas who love to steam milk for the perfect cup of cappuccino to home cooks who need boiling water at the drop of a hat, there’s no denying that a boiling water tap carries undeniable appeal. Instantly accessible hot water at your fingertips? Sounds amazing! But are these products as convenient and cost-effective as they claim to be?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the modern trend of installing boiling water taps in homes, weighing out their benefits and drawbacks so you can make an informed decision when it comes time to upgrade your kitchen fixtures.
What Are Boiling Water Taps?
Boiling water taps are clever appliances that offer convenience and energy savings to kitchen owners. They are similar to regular hot and cold mixer taps, but instead of offering regular hot and cold water, they have the functionality to deliver boiling water too. Boiling water taps are safe for young children and pets, with child-safety locks and insulated hardware preventing burns.
The clever design also means it is energy efficient compared to an electric kettle – saving electricity and time! With these clever appliances, you can turn on a tap and have boiling hot water ready whenever needed, making them incredibly convenient solutions for any household.
Different Types of Boiling Water Tap
Boiling water taps are incredibly useful and energy-efficient kitchen accessories, giving users access to hot water instantly without the need to boil a kettle. Nowadays, there are 3 main types available: 4-in-1 taps, 3-in-1 taps and boiling-only taps. 4-in-1 taps are the most advanced on the market, giving you hot, cold, boiling and filtered cold water options from a single spout.
The 3-in-1 tap offers cold and hot mains water, as well as boiling water, which is often adequate for the majority of households. A boiling-only tap does what it says on the tin, dispensing only boiling water. This means that for regular hot and cold water (like you get from your standard mixer tap), you will need to have a separate tap in your kitchen. So, while boiling-only taps tend to be the cheapest, many homeowners find them impractical.
Advantages of Boiling Water Taps
Boiling water taps are a convenient, energy-efficient innovation becoming increasingly popular in modern households. Boiling water taps provide piping-hot water on demand, enabling users to make hot beverages such as tea, coffee and soups instantly with the mere turn of a tap. While traditional methods for boiling water can be slow and energy-intensive, boiling water taps work quickly by storing hot water in a boiler tank, ready to be used instantly.
Boiling water taps are also beneficial as they offer greater convenience than kettles. You can quickly fill your favourite mug under the boiling hot tap without waiting or bearing a heavy kettle full of hot water.
Installation Considerations
Installing a boiling water tap is ideal when considering convenience and cost-efficiency. There are, however, a few important considerations to keep in mind before going ahead with the installation to ensure those benefits are realised. Boiling water taps require a dedicated mains water supply and should be installed by a qualified professional to ensure it is done correctly and safely. It is also important to ensure sufficient space around the tap, as this provides ample room for its operation.
Boiler tanks come in a variety of sizes, fitting under your kitchen sink. This means you will need to ensure you have ample space for it to go. It is also important to choose the correct finish for your boiling water tap – chrome finishes are popular, but you can find other attractive options such as brass or even black.
Costs
Boiling water taps are a cost-effective, efficient way to quickly provide hot water without waiting for kettles to boil. Installing one of these taps ranges between £300 and £1,000, with some models costing well over £1,000 once you include extra features. Despite their cost, the time benefits boiling tap owners enjoy will more than make up for this upfront cost.
Boiling water taps provide safety features that even the costliest kettles do not have – such as temperature selection and child-resistant handles – which can protect your family from accidents caused by spillages. Therefore, boiling water taps may be a worthwhile investment for modern households looking for safe and efficient ways to access boiling water for cooking and cleaning.
Common Issues with Boiling Water Taps
Boiling water taps can be incredibly convenient; however, troubleshooting them can be tricky if any issues arise. Common problems with boiling water taps include poor water flow, a leaky tap, limit settings not working properly, and the kettle not heating up properly. If you encounter any of these issues, troubleshooting each component individually can help to accurately identify the root of the problem.
It’s best to consult a professional plumbing service with expertise in troubleshooting hot and cold water taps. If a part needs to be replaced to fix the issue, they will have access to the right replacement parts and specialised knowledge required to troubleshoot and repair common problems with boiling water taps effectively.
Maintenance Tips for Boiling Water Taps
Boiling water taps offer convenience and style in the kitchen but require careful maintenance to keep them in proper working order. Regularly descaling your boiling water tap will help prevent any buildup of limescale in the system and ensure that your tap operates at optimum temperature. The frequency of descaling depends on the calcium carbonate mineral content level, but be sure to check them at least every 3 months.
Finally, always read and follow any instructions supplied by the boiler manufacturer regarding deep cleaning and maintenance.
Safety Guidelines for Boiling Water Taps
Boiling water taps provide an easy and fast way of boiling water for beverages or cooking, but safety should be a priority. Always read the manufacturer’s instruction manual to ensure you understand all safety protocols specific to your tap operation.
In addition to regular maintenance, take certain precautions such as never touching parts of the boiling water tap while it is in use, always setting the temperature limit, and only filling containers with suitable materials that can withstand the heat. By following these guidelines, you can be sure you are taking the necessary steps to prevent potential harm or injury.
Are Boiling Water Taps Worth The Hype?
Boiling water taps have gained much attention lately, primarily due to convenience. They remove the need for a kettle and allow you to easily get boiling water on demand – perfect for making tea and coffee! Beyond just being convenient, though, they are also incredibly energy efficient. With a boiling water tap in your home, you no longer have to wait for an electric kettle or stove-top pan to heat up. This means you can cut out the time spent waiting and spend more of your day enjoying the parts you love – like eating or sipping your hot drink!
Different Finishes
Many homeowners are choosing boiling water tap finishes like black, bronze, and gold to complete the overall look of their kitchen. These materials can instantly add sophistication and charm to the area where you prepare your meals and host guests. Black is a great choice for those looking for a modern, eye-catching aesthetic, while bronze and gold have a more classical look and feel.
In addition, black accentuates black stone, such as black granite countertops, beautifully all come together to create an elegant space. Whether your design goals are rustic or contemporary, these three finishes offer something unique to fit any style.
Conclusion – Is the Hype Deserved?
Boiling water taps are certainly worth the hype. They provide a convenient way to have boiling water on demand, save time and energy with their instant heating technology, and come in various finishes to match any kitchen design. While they may be more expensive than an average kettle, their convenience and energy efficiency far surpasses that of traditional kettles.
When you are looking for a brand, research the product and its features carefully, ensuring that it fits your needs best. With a boiling tap installed in your kitchen, you can be sure that you will always have hot water on demand.
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