What’s a Billi tap and how does it work?

Are you letting your employees drink water from your standard office kitchen sink tap? If so, you’re compromising on quality, taste, and convenience, and missing out on the opportunity to show your team you value their well-being.

Whilst UK tap water is generally safe to drink and does adhere to strict standards, it can still contain trace amounts of harmful substances like chlorine, heavy metals, and other particles affecting taste and safety.

Most modern-day offices install an undercounter water tap and one of the most prominent brands on the market is Billi. If you’re considering installing a premium water solution for all your office needs, read on and we’ll help you understand what a Billi tap is and how it works.

What’s a Billi tap?

A Billi tap is an innovative water dispensing system designed to provide instant access to filtered chilled, ambient, boiling and sparkling water from a single, compact unit. These taps are commonly used in commercial settings, especially in offices as they offer a convenient, efficient, safe, affordable, and sustainable space-saving water solution.

A Billi tap also helps to streamline busy offices by preventing wasting precious time waiting for a kettle to boil. It also negates the need for large bulky water coolers that take up vital space in the office. Plus it removes the need for bottled water reducing your dependence on single-use plastic and therefore supporting your office’s sustainability goals.

We’ll review further benefits of installing a Billi tap, but first we’ll look at how it actually works.

Installation

There is a wide range of Billi taps to choose from which vary in size, functionality, design, water options, cost and so on. But once you’ve found the right tap for you, the first step will be to get your water tap installed.

Thankfully installation is quick and simple and can be done by a qualified engineer in just a few hours, leaving you minimum downtime and inconvenience to your working day. The main unit will be installed under a sink and connected to the water supply. The tap itself will sit on the countertop for easy pouring access. The undercounter unit houses the heating and cooling elements, filtration system, and other electronics that will keep your tap in perfect working order.

How does a Billi tap heat water?

For hot water to make tea and other drinks, the unit has to warm up the water using a high-efficiency heater. The water is kept at a near-boiling point in an insulated tank until it’s dispensed.

Billi systems use thermodynamic heat exchange technology to improve efficiency by capturing and reusing heat from chilled water production. This helps to save energy and makes the tap a more sustainable option than say, an office kettle. The taps also have a standby mode, which helps to reduce energy consumption.

Check out the difference between office kettles and water taps in our blog.

How does a Billi tap chill water?

Chilled water is produced using an innovative refrigeration cycle. The water passes through a cooling system, which typically includes a compressor and refrigerant. The cooled water is then stored in an insulated tank ready for your team to pour refreshing chilled water.

If you’re opting for sparkling water, the chilled water is passed through a carbonation system where it’s mixed with CO2 gas. Please read about our top 15 sparkling water facts in our blog.

How does a Billi tap dispense water?

As you’d expect, dispensing water is very simple and the tap is controlled either via touch-sensitive buttons or by a lever. Your office team just have to select hot or chilled water, or still or sparkling and the Billi tap will do the rest.

You can be sure that your water is clean and pure as it’s been passed through a high-quality filtration system to remove any impurities or any other contaminants.

Like any undercounter water tap, a Billi tap will need regular but minimal maintenance. This includes replacing the water filter periodically and just checking the system for any issues.

Discover More: Do water dispensers need to be cleaned?

What do the different coloured lights on a Billi tap mean?

The lights on a Billi tap serve as indicators for various functions and potential issues:

Flashing red light: Indicates the water is currently heating up.
Flashing blue light: Signals that the water is in the process of cooling.
Solid green light: This shows that a filter change may be overdue, and the unit may shut down to maintain water quality.
Flashing green light: Suggests a fault in the system, which may require resetting the unit or contacting customer support.

If you choose to get your Billi tap from FreshGround, it’ll come with a service plan so if anything does go wrong, we’ve got you covered.

There are two levels of service that we offer – Essentials and Complete Care, and you can find out more here.

Benefits of a Billi tap

1) Improved employee experience

Having easy access to filtered hot and cold water enhances employee satisfaction and comfort, contributing to a more positive work environment. Not only that but as a BIlli tap is so convenient, it also encourages employees to stay hydrated at work.

It’s recommended that we all drink between 6 – 8 glasses of water a day to support our body to function optimally. Surprisingly even just a small dip in hydration levels can cause physical side effects like headaches, tiredness and dizziness. Staying hydrated will help to keep your team alert and productive.

2) Affordable

We know budgets are stretched and the pressure is on office and facilities managers to keep running costs low. However, a Billi tap is surprisingly affordable and makes a stylish and sleek addition to office kitchens or break-out areas.

The cost of renting a Billi tap for an office is only around £3 – £5 per day, depending on the specific model and features. For example, the T3 Billi Quadra Tap is available for around £3.98 per day, while the T4 Billi Quadra Tap, which includes sparkling water, is available for £5.42 per day.

3) Sleek design and space-saving

Another benefit of having a Billi tap in the office is its space-saving design. Billi taps are compact and installed under the sink, freeing up valuable counter space in the office kitchen or break-out area. This design eliminates the need for multiple appliances like kettles, water coolers, and bulky plastic bottles, creating a more streamlined and organised workspace. The sleek and modern design also contributes to a cleaner, minimalist appearance, making the kitchen area more efficient and aesthetically pleasing.

Get in touch

Overall, investing in a Billi tap for your office is a smart choice that offers lots of benefits beyond just cost savings and improved employee experience. From promoting sustainability to saving valuable kitchen space, a Billi tap is a versatile addition to any office.

If you’re ready to transform your office and improve your workplace culture, we’ll guide you through the various options and help you find the perfect Billi tap to meet your unique needs.

Contact our friendly team today to take the next step toward a more efficient and environmentally friendly workplace.