How Does a Boiling Water Tap Function?
If you are looking to give your kitchen an upgrade and have hot water on demand, you've likely been hearing about boiling water taps.
As it says in the name, boiling water taps produce boiling water like a kettle, except without the waiting time, and they work by storing this hot water in a tank under your sink, giving you an endless hot water supply.
However before we get into further detail about how these appliances work and why you should get one, let's cover the basics first so you have everything you need to know about boiling water taps.
What Are Boiling Water Taps?
So, boiling water taps produce near-boiling water at an instant, ranging between temperatures of 90 degrees - 100 degrees depending on the brand you buy.
These taps tend to come in two different models; 2 in 1, 3 in 1 and 4 in 1. Four in one boiling water taps produce; hot, cold, filtered and boiling water, depending on what you want.
Boiling water taps can blend nicely into your kitchen like a normal sink and tend to have safety sprung handles to cut off the flow of boiling water when the handle is released, making it ideal for family use.
Why Do You Need a Boiling Water Tap?
Now you might be asking, what is the point of a boiling water tap when we have kettles, well, believe it or not, these high tech taps can save you up to 18 hours a year if your average waiting time for your kettle is around 3 minutes till it reaches a boil.
They also save space, reduce water wastage, save time, produce clean drinking water, speed up cooking and are very easy to use.
Most people are opting for a boiling water tap out of sheer convenience in comparison to a kettle, and the ability to have hot water, teas and coffees at an instant without the heating time.
How Does a Boiling Water Tap Work?
Here is the question which many have on there mind, how do these taps work?
Well, there are two main systems that different brands use in there boiling water taps, pressurised and vented. Pressurised systems tend to be smaller and slower to refill in there tank, but offer water at a higher temperature.
Vented boiling water taps on the other hand tend to be more common and easier to install, however, they deliver boiling water at a slightly lower temperature, which is pretty unnoticeable.
The main components of a boiling water tap are the tank. This tank is located underneath the sink and has a thermostat and heating element, which is connected to your main water supply.
A boiling water taps tank allows you to store hot water constantly, enabling you to have it whenever you want via its tap. You just need to make sure you have an electrical socket, space and fairly good water pressure.
What Features Do I Need To Consider In a Boiling Water Tap?
Now we know how a boiling water tap works, your probably wondering what's important to look for when buying a boiling water tap for your house and what isn't.
We have compiled together a list of the most essential features to watch out for in your boiling water tap below, so as you can be certain your buying the best tap on the market in terms of value for money.
- Functions - One of the first features to decide about your boiling water tap is whether you are looking for a single tap, 3 in 1 model or 4 in 1 model. This depends on what you are looking to use your tap for. Take an example, if you are looking to have boiling water for cooking pasta, filtered drinking water and hot water for teas/coffees, then you need to go with a 4 in one model. However, if it is less important for you to have boiling water at 100 degrees, and you are happy with just hot water then you could buy a simpler 3 in 1 tap.
- Tank Size - The tank size of your boiling water tap will determine how much hot water is stored on-demand, or in other words, how much you can use out of your tap at once. If you have a big family who will be likely to use the boiling water at the same time such as around breakfast or dinner, then you will need to look for a larger tank size of around 3L or more.
- Filter - A filter for your boiling water tap is very important if you have a hard water supply, not only will this protect your tap from limescale build-up, which can affect how well your tap works, but it will also remove any impurities in the water you are drinking.
- Thermostat - Not all, but most boiling water taps should come with a thermostat. This will allow you to set and change the temperature of the water that comes out your tap to your preference. Making it perfect if you want a lower temperature of 70/60 degrees for teas and coffees from your tap.
- Safety - No matter what, your boiling water tap should come with some great safety features such as child spring locks, low-pressure options and cut off handles which stop the flow of boiling water when you let go of the handle.
- Design - The design of your tap is important to consider as you want it to blend in with the rest of your kitchen. You should additionally ensure it's durable and has some features such as anti-rust for example.
- Water Pressure - One of the most important specs to consider in your tap is how high it needs your main water pressure to be, some taps may need a 1 bar pressure and others 0.5 so you need to calculate your water supplies pressure before picking out your model.
- Warranty - Your boiling water tap will cost a fair amount of money, so you need to make sure it comes with at least a one-year warranty to avoid any unexpected faults with your tap.
How Do I Install a Boiling Water Tap?
Fitting your boiling water tap is very simple and can be done by yourself if you want to save some installation costs.
Installing your tap might be harder however if your model comes with a cold and hot water tap, so we will explain how to fit a single tap model for now.
You will need to make sure you have a; drill, a drill bit, bucket and a spanner to complete this job.
- The first step you need to do before starting the installation process is turning off your water supply and draining the pipes by leaving all the taps open in your house.
- Place a bucket under your sink and remove any clutter to make room for the tank of your tap.
- Remove your old kitchen tap and insert your new one through the hole in your sink, while ensuring that it can reach the hot and cold water pipes and be near to a socket.
- Use the fixings to secure the tap included with your model and begin to feed the pipes to the heating tank.
- You can then switch your water supply back on and let water flow out to fill up the hot water tank you have installed.
FAQS About How Boiling Water Taps Work
Do boiling water taps get hot to touch?
No, the metal used on these taps tend to be heavily insulated, so even if you do touch the tap you will not be scolded, making them suitable to have around children.
Are they more energy-efficient than kettles?
Yes, boiling water taps are much more energy-efficient than kettles and are said to use up to 50% less energy, saving you money every year despite the initial upfront cost.
How often do I need to change the filter on a boiling water tap?
This depends on how often you will use your tap and how hard the water is your area. If you live in an area with a very hard water supply then you will likely have to change your filter more regularly, such as every three months or more, however, if you don't, you may not need to change your filter that often.
Are these taps safe to have around children?
Yes, as most operate with a child lock of some sort, which won't allow the child to operate the tap, the pressure that comes out of these taps is also much lower than a normal cold supply, this should avoid any splash up or scalding while its in use.
Final Words
Overall, a boiling water tap is an energy-efficient way to have hot water on demand in your home, it works by having a hot water tank underneath your sink, which can be controlled via a thermostat, allowing you to have hot water on demand whenever you want.
Just ensure you have enough space to install your boiling water tap and your water pressure can be used with this appliance before purchasing, otherwise, your model may not work.
