Every day more than three billion litres of drinking water is wasted in Britain, enough to hydrate the entire population of Africa. Conserving water and using water wisely is vital in keeping our water supply safe while protecting the environment.
There are many ways to help conserve water. One method that is gaining popularity for both convenience and sustainability is the use of boiling water taps.
Boiling water taps are like regular taps with the added benefit of being able to dispense boiling water instantly.
Pentangle Kitchens explores what exactly boiling water taps are and why they are becoming an increasingly popular feature in modern kitchens.
Water and energy saving benefits of boiling water taps
From overfilling the kettle each time we use it, to letting a tap run unnecessarily, we’re all guilty of wasting energy and water in the kitchen.
By providing boiling water instantly and eliminating water being boiled and then thrown away, these sought-after taps conserve both energy and water.
Noise reduction
A kettle can be quite a noisy small appliance, especially if your kitchen has a lot of hard, non-sound absorbent surfaces. A boiling water tap is quiet.
The convenience benefits of boiling water taps
Aside from making hot drinks, the instant boiling water can be used for cooking, such as steaming vegetables and cooking pasta, at a fraction of the time required to either boil water on a hob or in a kettle.
Without having to wait for the kettle to boil or for water in a pan to boil on the hob, boiling water taps save significant amounts of time.
Space-saving benefits of boiling water taps
By replacing bulky kettles with sleek and streamlined boiling water taps, these in-demand kitchen fixtures save precious space on a worktop.
The different types of boiling water taps
There are three main types of boiling water taps – the standard boiling water only tap, the 3 in 1 tap and the 4 in 1 tap.
The standard boiling water only tap is ideal as a secondary tap, which can positioned alongside the kitchen mixer tap or further away with a small
drip tray. This type of tap is used when you want it to be located away from the sink, such as close to a tea/coffee making area.
The 3 in 1 tap can be a kitchen mixer tap and boiling water tap. These taps are ideal when designing a kitchen where only one tap is preferred.
The 4 in 1 tap option is the kitchen mixer plus boiling water and filtered/chilled water. These water filters provide great tasting water at the turn of a handle. With some manufacturers there is an option that the cold filtered water can be carbonated in order to dispense cold filtered sparkling water.
Developers and specifiers – beware!!
If you are developer considering installing these highly efficient and convenient types of taps, you should be mindful of the following aspects:
Boiling water or very hot water – there is a difference!
It is important to be aware that although some manufacturers advertise their taps provide boiling water, they usually don’t! Water boils at 100 degrees C (at sea level) Some are capable of delivering water at 100 degrees, however, the manufacturers themselves recommend that the temperature is set at 98 degrees, partly to save energy and partly to extend the working life of the unit. Some of the less expensive units struggle to reach even 98 degrees and so should really be classed as hot water taps. It’s a case of caveat emptor!
Location
Boiling water taps have different tank capacities, so there needs to be sufficient space within the kitchen units to mount the water tank. Under the sink is a popular location for the tank, which needs to be connected to power and a water supply. The units that combine boiling, chilled and sparkling can take up substantial space that necessitate a separate cupboard. This space needs to be ventilated and the internal fan for the chiller can be much noisier than a boiling kettle!
Safety
When installing and operating boiling water taps, safety needs to be a primary concern and priority. The taps come with a variety of safety measures. One is that they deliver water at a slightly lower pressure than a regular tap to prevent water from splashing up and potentially scalding someone.
Maintenance
Boiling water taps can include up to two filters; one to help reduce limescale, which is especially important in areas of hard water and a
second, to filter out potentially harmful nitrates, bacteria, sediment and odours.
Filters will need to be changed to help keep the tank limescale-free and the water pure. Manufacturers typically recommend changing the filters every six months and offer annual maintenance contracts of boiling taps and their tanks at additional expense.
Pentangle Kitchens designs,supplies and installs kitchens for property developments that can feature highly sought-after, energy-efficient, and super-convenient boiling water taps, where appropriate. Get in touch with the Pentangle team to learn more.