Hot Water Tap for Sink: A Guide

Thinking of installing an instant hot water tap by your sink? Read on for all the information you need to know. We’ll be explaining how an instant hot water tap works, why you might want one, and we’ll also be answering some of the most pressing questions that tend to arise.

How an Instant Hot Water Tap Works

Instant hot water taps work like an electric shower. Water comes from your property’s mains supply and is rapidly heated by an electrical element within a heavily insulated tank for storage. Unlike a shower, most instant hot water tanks will heat water up to temperatures of between 96 and 98 degrees Celsius. This ensures an instant supply of very hot water without ever having to use the kettle.

Why Choose an Instant Hot Water Tap

There are plenty of reasons for choosing an instant hot water tap. For example, you might be fed up of filling and boiling your kettle every time you want a hot drink. Reasons for using an instant hot water tap include:

• Removing tough grease from dishes and pans
• Cooking vegetables, potatoes, and pasta
• “Skinning” tomatoes
• Making tea or coffee
• Filling your morning thermal flask

Frequently Asked Questions

• How big is the tank? The tank for a hot water tap can take up a fair amount of space, but it all depends on how much water you want to store at any given point. Water storage varies from product to product, normally ranging from 2 litres to 5 litres.
• Where is the tank located? While the tap itself will normally be installed above your kitchen counter, the tank will normally live in the cupboard underneath. This saves you plenty of space on your worktop, but you’ll need to be prepared to have less cupboard space for kitchen storage.
• Are instant hot water taps safe? Yes. Instant hot water taps actually tend to be safer than using a kettle. Whereas kettles are easily knocked over, instant hot water taps stay in one fixed location. Kettles can also get very hot on the outside, whereas instant hot water taps are insulated against this. Most instant hot water taps also have a safety catch to prevent hot water being accidentally poured.
• Are instant hot water taps expensive to run? Not at all. They cost a fair price to install, but once they’re up and running, you’ll make lots of long-term savings. Whereas kettles cost several pence per boil, instant hot water taps only cost several pence per day. As well as saving on electricity, you will waste less water saving you even more money, especially if you are on a water meter that measures and charges based on how much you use.
• Will it require specialist installation? Unless you are an experienced plumber or handyman, you should ask a specialist to fit your instant hot water tap for you.
• Should I choose a hot water tap or a boiling water tap? There are two types of hot water taps – the hot water tap, and the boiling water tap. The difference in temperature is very small – 96-98⁰C compared to 100⁰C. If you make a lot of coffee, you’ll definitely want a hot water tap, as boiling water could burn your coffee beans. Hot water taps are normally the better option, so unless you have a specific requirement to dispense water that is exactly 100⁰C, a hot water tap is probably the better and more affordable choice.

Before choosing an instant hot water tap, make sure you have enough space and compare a few different models to make sure you get the features you want. It’s an expensive investment but saves you so much time and money in the long run.