Costs Of Running a Boiling Water Tap - Explained
Many people assume that boiling water taps can be expensive to run, due to the fact you have access to heated water all the time.
However, despite the initial upfront cost, boiling water taps are said to save money in comparison to a kettle, due to the fact it requires more energy to re-boil a kettle numerous times a day than it does to have hot water on standby in your boiling water tap, making them cheaper to run.
Boiling water taps are more energy-efficient and cheaper to run than kettles, we have gone into some more detail below to help your figure out if a boiling tap is worth it in the long run for your house.
How Much On Average Does It Cost To Run a Boiling Water Tap?
This depends on how often you use your tap, but on average, a boiling water tap is said to cost around 3p each day to have its hot water tank on standby. When compared to a kettle that takes around 2p to boil each time, this can save you a lot of money if you boil your kettle more than once a day.
However, although the running costs of a boiling water tap may be cheaper than your average kettle, you still need to consider the upfront costs which can be anything from £200 and above depending on the model you buy.
How Energy Efficient Are Boiling Water Taps?
You might assume that boiling water taps are not very energy efficient due to them storing hot water all day at a specific temperature, however, they are much more energy-efficient than a kettle and don't waste water, as you only use as much as you need.
As an appliance without a comparison to a kettle, boiling water taps are not that energy-efficient, but neither is any appliance that needs a fair amount of energy to heat water.
Are Boiling Water Taps Cheaper To Run Than Kettles?
Yes, as we mentioned above, boiling water taps are much cheaper to run than kettles as they keep hot water on standby, rather than having to reheat themselves numerous times a day like a kettle.
It would cost you around 6p a day to heat your kettle three times and it only costs 3p a day to have your boiling water tap on standby, meaning a boiling water tap is cheaper in terms of running costs, but not cheaper in terms of initial costs.
We have compared the two appliances below in greater detail to help you out.
Boiling Water Taps
Boiling water taps are not only cheaper to run than kettles, but are safer too, as they don't need heavy lifting and have fewer chances of being dropped.
You also only use a certain amount of water that you need in a boiling water tap and avoid overfilling like you would with a kettle. Some taps also can produce filtered cold drinking water, which is a great advantage.
One other advantage of boiling water taps is that they are space-saving, and don't take up any more counter space than an average faucet.
Some disadvantages of these taps in comparison to a kettle have to be there upfront initial cost which is very expensive and may take years to earn back if you trying to gain back on energy costs.
These taps additionally need a fair amount of maintenance as you will have to replace the filters in them which costs and they also need a certain bar of water pressure from your supply to work efficiently.
Advantages
- Space-saving & mobility friendly.
- Cheap running costs in comparison to a kettle.
- Reduces water wastage.
Disadvantages
- Needs maintenance such as new filters.
- High upfront initial cost.
Kettles
Hot water kettles, on the other hand, have a very affordable upfront cost, with some models starting as low as £30, you can also buy energy-efficient kettles that allow you to boil just one cup of water at a time to reduce water wastage.
They are additionally simple to use, need no installation and don't need a specific water pressure to work, making them much more buy-use friendly.
Drawbacks of kettles have to be that they are less energy-efficient than boiling water taps and can lose up to 25% of there energy heat after being heated. They also are less safe in comparison to boiling water taps due to there weight and have a waiting time for the water to reach a boil, making them less convenient.
Advantages
- Very budget-friendly.
- No installation.
- Simple.
Disadvantages
- Less energy efficient.
- Easier to spill.
- Loses heat quickly after boiling.
So Which Appliance Is The Best For Me?
This depends on your budget and how much convenience your after. For example, if your after an appliance that can give you hot water instantly with no waiting time and you don't mind spending more money to cover the upfront initial cost, you should go for a boiling water tap.
However, just because a boiling water tap is more energy efficient does not mean that you will save money due to the high cost of filters and price of the actual appliance, so you should only buy a boiling water tap if you after convenience.
If you are on a budget however and don't mind waiting for you boiling water, buy an energy-efficient kettle, as this will be much cheaper than a boiling water tap of £200 and above.
Facts About Boiling Water Taps & Kettles
Now we have compared the energy efficiency and running costs of a boiling water tap vs a kettle, we've put together a list of interesting facts about each appliance which can help you figure out whether it's worth stretching your budget for a boiling water tap or not.
- To boil most kettles you have to have a minimum of 500ml of water, which is two cups, not one, leading to water wastage.
- Boiling water taps can save around 100 litres of water annually compared to overfilling a kettle.
- Active carbon filters in boiling water taps can help produce impurity-free drinking water.
- Children have more accidents per year relating to kettles due to there design.
- Boiling water taps tend to cost a similar amount to kettles in terms of electricity but are much more convenient.
- Most boiling water taps produce water at 98 degrees, however, some can produce water at 100 degrees boiling point.
FAQs About The Cost Of Boiling Water Taps
Why would I consider installing a boiling water tap rather than a kettle?
You should consider a boiling water tap if you want to save time, space, and have hot water on demand. They're also great if you have people in your household who find lifting a heavy kettle hard, or if you want more safety around your children.
What's the most expensive brand of boiling water taps?
The most expensive brand in the boiling water tap industry is the Quooker brand and the cheapest boiling water taps are made by a brand called CDA.
Are there any downsides financially to choosing a boiling water tap?
Yes, installation can be a hassle and the upfront cost of a boiling water tap is not cheap. These taps additionally need costs such as replacement filters which is ongoing.
What types of boiling water taps are there?
There are three main types of boiling water taps on the market - 2 in 1 which is cold and boiling water, 3 in 1 which is hot, cold and boiling water, then 4 in 1 which consists of filtered/hot/cold and boiling.
How much are maintenance costs for boiling water taps?
This depends on the brand you buy from, but Quooker, for example, need its filter changing every six months, and these filters (if you install them yourself) can cost around £30.
You may also need to clean the tap from limescale often and the tank once a while if you live in a hard water area.
Will I need an electrician to install my boiling water tap?
Yes, these boiling water taps will need electricity underneath your sink to operate, which most houses do not have.
So you will need to get an electrician to install a socket under your sink, which is another cost to consider.
How does a boiling water tap work?
The boiling water tap works via its hot water tank which is located under the sink. This hot water tank is then connected to your water supply and heats water via electricity, it then stores this water at your set thermostat for on demand use.
In terms of capacity, you can buy boiling water taps with many different tank sizes, so if you have a larger family which consumes more hot water, go for a bigger sized tank.
Last Words
Overall, boiling water taps are technically more energy-efficient than kettles, however, the cost of running them and buying them upfront is still not small.
So if you are looking for convenience, you should buy a boiling water tap, however for running costs, you should consider some parts such as filter maintenance which can add up over the years and make it a similar cost to running a kettle.
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- 1 Costs Of Running a Boiling Water Tap - Explained
Re your survey on boiling water taps. One aspect you have not included in your calculations is wasting water costs.
We do not have a dishwasher ( insufficient space) so wash up by hand.
To fill a bowl with water hot enough to melt grease, from our boiler upstairs ( which does not have a hot tank) we have to run 20 to 30 litres ( in winter) of water waiting for the hot to arrive.
If there is a lot of washing up we may need to repeat this half way through.
So, we waste that cold water - which was previously heated, and this is repeated at least twice a day, 365 days a year.
Heating cost + water waste + our time wasted standing waiting for hot to flow.
So, would you say it is cheaper and time effective, to install either a tanked or tankless instant hot water tap?
Thanks.