Is an Instant Boiling Hot Water Tap really worth the investment?
Understanding if a Quooker, or any other brand of Instant Boiling Hot Water Tap, is suitable for you and worth the investment comes down to a number of factors. Like many things in life that could be classed as a luxury, your perception of its value is highly personal and tied to your individual needs and desires.
This article will explore the benefits, costs, and considerations of owning and maintaining an instant boiling water tap in your home - whether you are creating a new kitchen or considering an upgrade to your existing space.
Why would you want an Instant Boiling Hot Water Tap?
The answer is quite simple, convenience.
'How much better will my life be when I don't have to fill and boil the kettle every time I want to make a cup of tea or fill a saucepan? Think of the time I will save. The hot water will be ready to pour the moment I want it.'
Quooker claim that human beings waste over 4 months of their lives simply waiting for a kettle to boil! If this is you, then the appliance's key function perfectly solves your problem, and the monetary investment will be rewarded with endless satisfaction. Your kettle will become obsolete, and your cooking workflow would be more efficient.
The taps continue to evolve, featuring a growing number of additional features that add even greater potential value to the proposition. Sparkling water and chilled-filtered water are two such examples of extended functionality; amalgamating features once associated with large scale fridge freezers or separate appliances altogether.
SUSTAINABILTY
In 2022 there is no doubt we are more environmentally conscious than ever before. Our consideration of sustainability in the ways we live and what we purchase is a major influence over our behaviours.
The use of a boiling hot water tap can bring environmental rewards to a home compared to an average kettle. The most obvious, and applicable to all boiling hot taps is the ability to save water by only using as much as you need.
Focusing on Quooker specifically, their appliances are more efficient in terms of electrical costs. Even compared to boiling a pan full of water on an induction hob for cooking.
The Cold Water Filter and/or Cube removes the need for you to purchase additional bottles of filtered or sparkling water you would typically store in the fridge. Thus, reducing your usage of plastic bottles.
The Quooker factory is fully powered by solar energy.
What prevents everyone from upgrading?
Cost
The high entry price point and installation requirement of the system, over £1000, are likely key reasons that prevent some from ownership - even more so if the tap is an upgrade to an existing kitchen.
For those creating a new kitchen, the cost of the appliance as a percentage of the overall kitchen spend, or in relation to other luxury elements, may increase or decrease the perceived value of ownership.
Like other kitchen appliances and white goods in general, we tend only to change them when they break or notice a drop in performance. We rarely decide to upgrade a fully functioning washing machine. By not facing a critical need to add a boiling water tap to your home, the high entry cost may feel even more of a barrier.
Safety
Concerns relating to the safety of a hot water tap and children are understandable. The appliance is accessible and appears as a standard tap. However, However, according to figures released for National Burns Awareness Day in 2018, there are 3000 serious scalds to children every single year from kettles and kettle related incidents. As such, user’s and children's safety have been at the forefront of manufacturers’ designs since the appliance was conceived.
A Quooker product has several safety features that protect users in comparison to using a standard kettle:
1. Aerated water flow. The stream of boiling water that leaves the tap is formed of many droplets of water and air. While running the boiling water onto bare skin would cause the user to recoil their hand, it isn't likely to cause an instant scald – unlike the solid stream of water from a kettle.
2. Double push and twist to activate. A great deal of research and development time was spent designing the ring and inspiration was borne from a child-safe medicine bottle. The user must press the collar twice before turning to start the hot water function. The required motion is thought to reduce accidental activation. A red flashing ring of light also warns the user boiling water is being provided.
3. Insulated spout. The rotating head of a Quooker tap is insulated to protect the user from harm should skin touch the appliance's metal surface.
4. Dual insulated spout. Two completely separate chambers within the spout – one dedicated to the domestic hot and cold with the other dedicated to the boiling water – will allow for an immediate change between the different temperatures and will prevent any cross-contamination or residual boiling water from being dispensed.
5. The tap is fixed. Unlike a kettle which can be knocked over, a Quooker tap is permanently attached to the kitchen worktop.
As with many household items, there is an acceptable level of risk and, in many homes, it is likely that a kettle is already accepted. With a little education, a hot water tap could be viewed as a safer alternative.
Storage space
There are physical storage space implications to understand. The pressurised tanks and filter units that hold the water in readiness have to be located near the sink. This can reduce available storage space or require changes to the furniture to provide routes for plumbing and electrics.
This requirement is offset by an increase in usable worktop space, which would have been previously taken up by the kettle.
When designing a new kitchen, this is easier to overcome but may not be straightforward in an existing one.
Change
Lastly, introducing a hot water tap is a fundamental change to your established workflow. Whenever we are required to adapt to a new way of doing things, it can seem daunting at first and cast doubt in our mind. What if I can't use it? What if I don't like it?
The ONGOING COSTS of ownership
Energy Use
Quooker states that when on standby, a Quooker appliance costs 3 pence a day - this means the hot-water tanks are ready to dispense boiling water. When boiling water is used, the tank refills and the freshwater is heated back up. This recharge cost is under 1p/litre of water used thereafter, which is thought to be lower than boiling an entire kettle of water.
The benefit of the tap is that you only use what you need, potentially saving water and electricity in comparison to an average kettle. The reason, there isn't another cup or two of hot water left over that then cools and is poured away the next time you refresh the kettle.
A study by Npower in 2020 suggests a full kettle of water (0.85ltrs) costs around 2.5 pence to boil and, according to Quooker, in the UK, we boil our kettle on average four times a day – A total of 10p per day.
In April 2022 the UK energy cost cap is set to rise, increasing the price of electricity on a British Gas standard variable tariff from an average of 20p per Kilowatt Hour (pKWh), to 28p pKWh.
https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy-price-news.html
Updating the NPower findings with the current costs indicates the price of boiling a (0.85ltr) kettle will rise from 2.5p to 3.15p. If boiled 4 times per day the kettle will cost 12.6p per day.
A Quooker appliance costs 3p per day to maintain a tank of boiling hot water ready to dispense. It is thought the recharge cost of the water used is less than the cost of reheating a kettle. For example, 1p per tea break. 4 tea breaks a day would cost 4p, plus the 3p to maintain the hot water, totalling 7p per day.
Whilst this is an unproven example, it provides a reasonable argument that there is a small energy-saving presented by an instant boiling hot water tap over a kettle. Over the course of a year, you could save approximately £18. However, the expectation that a boiling hot water tap will recoup the cost of ownership through energy-saving alone is simply not true.
Appliance Maintenance
Regardless of the brand, keeping your hot water tap in perfect condition requires regular maintenance and servicing. Some of these functions can be completed yourself; others need the support of a trained service engineer.
At Hobson's Choice, whilst we are dealers of several alternatives, we recommend the Quooker brand of boiling-hot water tap products to our clients. First and foremost, it is the only hot water tap that delivers 100c water at the spout. We feel confident of the product's quality, and the aftercare service the manufacturer provides.
Limescale build-up in hard water areas can be a particular challenge with boiling water tap tanks. It may be necessary for additional filtration systems to be included in your system. These units come at an extra cost and will also require regular servicing and filter replacement.
SERVICE COST COMPARISON
Zip Taps – (ref. https://specify.zipwater.co.uk/hydrocare-for-home#enquire)
HydroCare is a monthly subscription that provides a varying level of customer support.
HydroCare Refresh – from £9 per month. A DIY subscription includes a filter and products you need to complete a basic service, sent out to the homeowner annually. +£5 per month for limescale filtration.
Taste filter replacement
Fixed-rate call out £119, parts not included
HydroCare Essential – from £14 per month. The package includes an annual filter change and sanitisation from a HydroCare engineer, plus a fixed price call-out. +£5 per month for limescale filtration.
Taste filter replacement
Sanitisation
Annual Inspection
Pre-scheduled planned services
Priority response
HydroCare Premium – from £20 per month. A complete service including an annual filter change and sanitisation from a HydroCare engineer, plus unlimited call-outs. +£4 per month for limescale filtration.
Taste filter replacement
Sanitisation
Annual Inspection
Pre-scheduled planned services
Priority response
Extended 7-year warranty
Price inclusive of parts and labour
Unlimited call-outs
Abode (ref. https://www.pronteau.co.uk/shop)
Proboil.2X (3in1 taps) - Filter replacement every 6 months and the water tank descaled annually. Depending on the hardness of the homeowner’s water the regular service may be reduced. DIY twin-pack filter and descale kit, £90
ProBoil3 (4in1 taps) – Replace filter when indicated by the water tank, timescales will vary depending on usage and water hardness. The status bar time limit is 6 months. DIY filter replacement £99
Insinkerator (ref. https://insinkerator.emerson.com/en-gb/instant-steaming-hot-water-taps/water-filters)
DIY replacement filter change every 6-8 months. Soft water £56 (twin pack) / Hard water £96 (twin pack)
Quooker (ref. https://www.quooker.co.uk/832-webshop/2499-service-shop.html)
Servicing requirements will depend on where the Quooker is geographically located. If the system is installed in a soft water area, the ongoing service requirements will be minimum with Quooker recommending a service and/or HITAC Filter Replacement once every 3-5 years. This can be done by a Quooker engineer for £125 ex VAT or by the owner for £25.
To combat limescale in a hard water area, the service requirements are more frequent and there are a number of options:
1. Install Quooker’s Scale Control Plus at an additional cost of £245, this will prevent the build-up of limescale within the boiling tank. At the time of writing (25.03.2022), the Scale Control Plus cartridge will need changing every 6 months at a cost of £80 inc VAT. Quooker will be releasing a new Scale Control 2022 model, which has a lifespan of 18-24 months. The new cartridges will cost £90 inc VAT.
As long as the filters are changed when required, a full system service is recommended after 5 years.
2. Periodic Servicing by a Quooker engineer - In a hard water area and without a Scale Control Plus, a full system service is recommended after approximately 2-3 years. This can be done by a Quooker engineer at a cost of approx. £125 ex VAT plus parts;
3. Periodic Servicing by the end-user themselves - In a hard water area and without a Scale Control Plus, a full system service is recommended after approximately 2-3 years. Rather than having a Quooker engineer service the system, this can alternatively be done by the end-user themselves and Quooker would provide a free of charge self-service kit.
o The HiTac filter that is inside the boiling tank can be changed for £35 inc VAT
The table below shows the cumulative costs of owning a boiling hot water tap over a number of years. The information assumes the homeowner is competent at replacing all filters themselves and the tap does not have a cold-water filter or sparkling water function.
Instant Boiling Hot Water Ongoing Cost Comparison Table
CONCLUSION
There is no decisive answer to the question, is a Quooker tap worth the investment?
For the majority of Hobson's Choice clients, the answer is a resounding 'Yes!'. Once they have experienced the convenience, a Quooker tap can bring there is no going back.
For some clients, there are other areas of their new kitchen they would rather focus their budget on - a higher-grade furniture finish, a steam oven or decorative lighting, for example. There are many different kitchen elements that people assign personal value to and make decisions accordingly.
That is why, when we design a bespoke kitchen, we listen to the client and help them prioritise what it is that will make their kitchen perfect for them. There is no one size fits all; it's personal.
If you want to make a pot of tea or fill a saucepan instantly, then a Quooker Instant Boiling Hot Water Tap is the perfect appliance for you. Choosing to integrate a boiling hot water tap is an easier decision if you are in the process of planning a new kitchen at the time.
There are a few more considerations for those thinking about upgrading, but the key selling point remains the same, convenience. Saving time, something money can't buy.
