Able to dispense piping hot water at the touch of a button, boiling water taps are an increasingly popular bit of kit to have in your kitchen. Most are stylish and versatile, providing both hot and cold filtered drinking water, as well as warm water for hand washing.
While you’ll have to part with a few hundred pounds and sacrifice some under-counter space, you can save money, water and energy with a hot water tap. What's more, it’ll replace your kettle to cut down on worktop clutter.
These convenient taps are particularly useful for anyone who finds it difficult to lift heavy kettles. Plus, they come with insulated sides and child-proof safety handles to avoid nasty burns.
Do boiling water taps use a lot of electricity?
You might think the process of keeping water hot all day would be fairly expensive, but boiling water taps can actually reduce your energy consumption. While you might spend money on repeatedly boiling more water than you need in a kettle, hot taps can save electricity by keeping their temperature constant throughout the day. Many have an insulated tank to help with heat retention.
Is a hot water tap cheaper than a kettle?
Leading hot water tap brand Quooker estimates that a boiling water tap uses around 3p of energy per day, compared to just over 2p every time you boil a litre of water in a kettle.
If you buy a boiling water tap, your biggest outlay will probably be the tap itself, which could cost over £1,000. But, once installed, it should not only reduce your energy and water bills, but save you counter space too. Just remember to factor in the cost of replacement water filters, which you may need to change up to twice a year.
For more information, see Which’s run-down of the price differences between using a boiling water tap and a kettle.
5 of the best boiling water taps to buy for your kitchen
InSinkErator Chrome Effect Water Tap
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While many boiling water taps are designed to replace your standard kitchen taps, this one complements your existing set-up. Add it to one side of your sink to get filtered hot or cold water. At just 21.3cm in height, this InSinkErator model won’t take up much space.
You’ll have the chance to choose the temperature of the hot water, between 88°C and 99°C using the in-built digital thermostat. As a safety measure, the lever for the hot water switches off automatically when you let go.
There’s the option to buy this tap in either chrome or brushed steel to match your other kitchen appliances.
Waterdrop A2 Instant Hot Cold Water RO System
- Buy now from Amazon (£449.00)
This isn't technically a hot tap, but Waterdrop's A2 Instant Hot Cold Water RO system is a brilliant option if you want instant hot and cold drinks at the touch of a button. The A2 has a five-stage filtration system, which removes chemicals and minerals to improve the taste of your drinking water, including chlorine, fluoride, arsenic, lead nitrate and copper.
The water temperature can be adjusted from 15℃ to 95℃ and you can save your favourite settings on the touch screen to save time. There's no need for installation, so this is a good machine to buy if you want a hot and cold water dispenser without needing to call in a plumber.
Sauber Elise 3-in-1 Boiling Water Kitchen Tap with Tank
- Buy now from Victoria Plum (£299.99)
This beautiful brushed brass tap will elevate the look of any kitchen. This chic tap will give you instant hot water, so there's no need to wait around for the kettle to boil once it's installed! It'll also save you time and energy when you're cooking, as you can fill pots and pans with hot water in seconds.
The boiling water tap has a child-safe twin lever to prevent youngsters from turning on the wrong tap by accident, and there's a spring lock mechanism to turn off the tap immediately after use. This makes it a great option for busy family kitchens.
This tap comes with an under-sink tank, which includes a digital display so you can see when the filter needs to be replaced.
Flode Kyld 3-in-1 Boiling Water Tap
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Flode Tre's 3-in-1 boiling water tap will give you 98℃ water in an instant. The other side of the tap is a hot and cold mixer, so this could easily replace your existing kitchen tap. The tap can swivel 360° and the spout is designed to be 'splutter-free'.
Like the Sauber Elise 3-in-1 tap, this tap also includes a child-safe spring lock to protect your loved ones from accidents.
This British brand is inspired by Scandinavian design principles and will add a touch of elegance to any kitchen.
Verossi Venetian 3-in-1 Instant Boiling Water Tap
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Looking for a boiling water tap with a more traditional look? This vintage-style Venetian boiling water tap from Verossi is just what you need.
This well-made boiling water tap comes with all the safety features you would expect and provides steaming hot water at 98℃. There's a built-in anti-scaling carbon and calcium water filter, which is ideal if you live in a hard water area. The tap has a 360° swivel, so you can fill pots and pans with ease.
This tap has several different colour options, so it's worth checking out the rest of the range to find the one that's right for you.
Read our roundup of the best kitchen taps for more design options.
