Are commercial boiling taps worth the expense?

Are you thinking about getting a boiling water tap for your office? Perhaps you’ve decided it’s time to ditch the kettle in favour of something sleeker. There are lots of benefits to having a boiling water tap although they do cost considerably more than a domestic tap.

What’s a boiling water tap?

A boiling water tap is a plumbed-in fixture that connects to a small under-sink tank, heating and storing water so it can dispense it instantly at or near 100°C. There are many makes and models to choose from.

It’s common for domestic models to only dispense boiling water, whereas commercial taps commonly dispense more than one temperature. Some give you the option of ambient and sparkling water.

These appliances are becoming more common in workplaces. Most new-build offices with an elevated aesthetic will have a boiling water tap in the specifications for the building.

Why are commercial taps expensive? Domestic vs commercial

Like most appliances you’ll find in the kitchen, there are domestic and commercial models. Domestic appliances are designed and built to withstand use in the home. They’ll comfortably serve small groups of people and families where demand is moderate. Domestic boiling water taps are no different.

Most people will have heard of market leaders including Quooker, Grohe, Fohen and Franke, and they certainly improve the home kitchen experience. They provide hot water much more quickly and easily than a kettle. In the home, boiling taps are considered an affordable luxury. They make a sleek and stylish addition to the kitchen. Plus, they’re certainly a good option if you’re out to impress your visitors or neighbours!

As you would expect, there are challenges if you’re looking to bring a domestic water tap into a commercial environment.

Commercial appliances are built to withstand heavy daily usage. If you think of your busiest times in the office kitchen, a domestic tap would unlikely be able to keep up.

The quality of build, durability and reliability of commercial products make them more expensive when compared to their domestic counterparts. However, if you’re in an office where demand for boiling water outweighs the needs of, say, a family of four, a domestic tap won’t work!

Does my office need a commercial boiling water tap?

Major manufacturers like Zip, Brita, Billi and others have changed office kitchens for the better. They have helped to make people’s days at the office a little easier and more convenient.

For really small offices (e.g. 5 people), it is possible that a domestic tap would meet your needs. However, you should consider the fact that they rarely come with a service plan. And if they do, it may not cover you for commercial use.

Commercial boiling taps will usually come with a service plan. This will provide you with cover in case anything goes wrong. The ability to call up a service engineer will minimise downtime for your appliance. So, having a service plan is vital to keeping the office running.

Another benefit to commercial boiling taps is that you can choose to rent rather than purchase outright. This means you don’t have to fork out large amounts if budgets are stretched. Our range of options will cost from around £30–£40 per week to rent. In short, if you’ve got a busy, bustling office with a team that enjoys hot drinks, a commercial boiling water tap is what you need.

One other consideration for businesses is that boiling water taps can be tax-deductible. Which can help reduce financial strain on your business.

Go green

It’s worth noting that, along with being quick and convenient, boiling water taps are a green option as well. Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to businesses so by opting for a tap over a kettle, you’ll be saving energy and also saving yourself money in the long run.

Many people are prone to overfilling kettles, and they waste water and energy in the process. With a boiling water tap, it makes it simple to pour exactly how much water you like, which reduces waste. They’re more energy-efficient than a kettle and the average daily running cost is around 9p.

Some brands offer sustainability features built into their design, for example, the water cooling and heat exchange technology in Billi taps, or the energy-saving modes available on Borg & Overstrom taps.

Safety and hygiene

The idea of pouring boiling water at the touch of a button or switch of a tap can be a worry for some, but actually, taps are a much safer option than a standard office kettle. Boiling water taps stay fixed, unlike kettles, which can easily be knocked or dropped whilst pouring.

Research carried out by the Dutch Burns Foundation found that “using a boiling-water tap instead of a kettle reduces the risk of burn injuries.” Add to this the fact that taps are often mounted over a separate water catcher known as a font rather than over the sink. This means you don’t have to hold your cup while the boiling water is being poured, making it a safer option.

The DDA is an Act of Parliament that ensures that people are not discriminated against for having a disability. There are lots of options for DDA-compliant tap designs on the market. They’re generally a much more accessible, safer and more inclusive option for your office team. For example, many accessible taps will have a separate control panel to remove the need to lean across a counter to reach the controls.

In a world where hygiene has never been so important, boiling water taps are really easy to keep clean and maintain, offering a much more hygienic solution to the kettle. A report revealed that the average office kettle harbours a staggering 2,483 germs per square inch, that’s more than a toilet seat!

What’s next?

In conclusion, there are plenty of benefits to having a tap system in your workplace. And with most tap systems being tax-deductible, it’s easy to make a case for them as a practical and enriching addition to your office.

Take time to research the boiling tap market and find what’s best for you and your team.

If you need a hand, we’re here to help. Just get in touch with us.