Boiling and chilled water taps give you instant access to boiling and filtered cold water in one sleek, stylish tap. They remove the need for bulky kettles and free up bench space, while making your kitchen look contemporary and modern. They also help you keep hydrated by encouraging you to drink more fresh, pure h20.
The taps usually have two settings; a button that dispenses filtered boiling water (or ‘kettle hot’), or one that dispenses regular hot and cold water. The button needs to be pressed to activate and is normally locked so children can’t accidentally use it. When it’s in use, the tap will flash a light to let you know it’s working. If you’re using it to make a cuppa, the water will only flow as long as the button is pressed, so you won’t waste water. Some brands also have a power saving mode or preset timers to save energy and prevent the tap from running when it’s not needed.
Most of these taps come with a separate boiler that sits underneath your sink and can hold between 2-5 litres of boiling water. They can be either electric or gas heated and are a great alternative to an electric kettle. They’re quick and easy to use – just press the button to get piping hot boiling water in seconds, no waiting around for it to boil! Some taps also have the option to add a chilled and sparkling water filter for an even more refreshing beverage.
It’s important to check that your new tap has the right amount of capacity for your household and can handle your water usage before having it installed. You also need to think about how much space your boiler takes up under your sink and whether you want a compact, small or large capacity model. If you’re looking for a tap that does multiple functions, such as cooling and sparkling water, check that it has the appropriate sized tank for each function and that you have enough under sink space to fit them.
If you’re looking for a tap with a lower price tag, the Grohe Red is an affordable choice that has good quality components and is suitable for domestic or commercial use. It has a sleek, circular design and operates with as low as 1.5 bar pressure, which is much lower than some rivals. It’s also child safe with a safety spring lock, tested and approved by German safety testing body TÜV, to ensure little ones can’t reach the boiling water.
A more premium option is the Zip or Billi 3-in-1 instant boiling, chilled and sparkling taps. These are stylish and come in a range of colours and finishes to suit your kitchen style. Both offer a range of different sized boiling and chilled tanks to suit your household and both come with an integrated water filter that can reduce chlorine, cysts, heavy metals, sediment, bad tastes and odours.