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10 OF THE BEST: Hot water taps

Upgrade your kitchen tap and make the eco-friendly choice with one of these practical, yet stylish, additions

Are you planning a kitchen makeover? If so, you may want to consider including a hot-water tap. Not only do they make your life easier when it comes to making a brew, sterilising baby bottles and boiling water for cooking, they’re also quicker and cheaper than boiling a kettle and more eco-friendly too.

‘Quooker taps use very little electricity and give impressive energy-saving results,’ says Quooker managing director, Stephen Johnson. ‘Thanks to their advanced technology, it takes only 10 Watts to keep water in the tank at 110°C, while the average kettle uses 2,200 Watts to boil 1.7L of water. You’ll save time by having boiling water available within seconds, but you’ll also be saving money on your energy bills.’

When it comes to deciding which tap is best for you, however, the choice can be a little overwhelming. You’ll need to decide if you need hot water or boiling water. Many of the taps on the market allow you to set the temperature range between 75°C and 99°C, but only a handful dispense 100°C boiling water. So, if you need true boiling water, this will help to narrow down your selection.

Next, consider what size water tank you need. For example, a 2L boiler tank can provide four cups of hot water in an instant, which is ideal for making a round of tea or filling a small saucepan. Larger households may need a bigger boiler tank so that there’s always hot water ready the moment it’s needed. Boiler tanks are often installed in the cupboard beneath the sink, so ensure that you’re happy to give up that storage space before making the purchase.

If you’re looking to upgrade an existing tap, consider a 4-in-1 model that provides filtered cold or hot (or boiling) water, as well as regular hot and cold water. These are particularly useful for cutting down on one-time-use plastic water bottles and also encourages you to drink more water for a healthier lifestyle. The 3-in-1 models are just as efficient, although they don’t offer filtered cold water, so if that’s something you want, then it’s worth adding it to your list of requirements.

Safety is another important feature with all instant hot- and boiling-water taps. Many models boast a two-stage safety mechanism to ensure that nobody can accidentally dispense boiling water without intending to – a feature that offers peace of mind for households with children or those who are more vulnerable.

ALEXANDRIA 4-IN-1 INSTANT HOT WATER TAP, FROM £799, METHVEN

Get hot and cold water and filtered near-boiling and cold water at the push of a button with the sleek Alexandria tap. The tap features a cool-to-touch spout and a hot- water delay function that helps to avoid scalds. Plus, you can choose the filter that’s best suited to you based on whether you live in a hard- or soft-water area. • 2.4L water tank • Seven pre-set temperatures (75-98°C) • Quiet functionality • Safety features PRONTEAU PROTRAD 4-IN-1 HOT WATER TAP, FROM £949, ABODE

Find modern functionality in a traditionally designed tap, available in three finishes – antique brass, chrome and brushed nickel. It offers hot and cold water, as well as filtered steaming hot and cold water on demand, reducing your need to buy bottled water and adding to the tap’s green credentials. • 75-98°C hot and filtered water • 2L tank • Free installation • Two-stage safety handle

HOTCUP WATER DISPENSER, RRP £39.99, BREVILLE

Not technically a tap, but not a kettle either, this dispenser sits somewhere in between with its quick-boil action and handy one-touch operation – perfect for those who can’t lift a heavy kettle. It can boil up to seven cups without needing to be refilled and has a manual stop button so you’re always in control. A great-value, energysaving option that sits neatly on the countertop. • Fast-boil function • Anti-limescale filter • 1.5L /7-cup water tank • Easy to set up

HERITAGE INSTANT HOT WATER TAP IN COPPER, £699, WODAR

Perfect for a traditional-style kitchen, but in a modern copper finish, this hot-water tap system costs only 3p a day to run. It has a compact tank that sits conveniently below the sink, and a carbon filter to remove limescale and impurities in the hardest of hard-water areas. • 2.4L water tank • 75-98°C temperature range • Safety button • Five-year warranty

FLEX ALL-IN-ONE TAP, FROM £1,300, QUOOKER

The pull-out hose gives the Flex boiling-water tap versatility in the kitchen for food prep, as well as cleaning. It has a 270° rotating spout to the hose, but its safety measures prevent boiling water being released while the hose is extended. Polished chrome, stainless steel or black options mean you can have boiling, hot and cold water in a style that’s sure to match your kitchen’s scheme. • Dispenses up to 100°C boiling water • Handy, flexible pull-out hose • 3L and 7L water tanks available • Combine with the Quooker CUBE for chilled and sparkling water

QETTLE ORIGINAL 4-IN-1 TAP, FROM £495, QETTLE

This simple-to-use tap dispenses hot, cold, filtered cold and filtered 100°C boiling water in a sleek, classic design. Keen DIYers can install the tap in no time, before using its true boiling water to sterilise bottles or make the perfect cup of tea – all with the peace of mind provided by the tap’s two-stage safety mechanism. • Dispenses up to 100°C boiling water • 2, 4 and 7L tanks available • Two-stage safety feature • Easy to install

ARMSTRONG MINI INSTANT HOT TAP WITH COLD FILTRATION, FROM £1,347.36, PERRIN & ROWE

This tap dispenses hot and cold filtered water and has filtration technology to limit the build-up of limescale – great if you live in a hard-water area. The anti-scald locking mechanism makes this a top choice for a family home, too. • Adjustable temperature from 75-98°C • 2.4L water tank • Eye-catching design • Eight finishes available

4N1 TOUCH TAP, FROM £1,449, INSINKERATOR

Available in chrome, velvet black or brushed stainless-steel finishes, the 4N1 Touch tap is the ideal choice for a retro-fit and comes with an installation kit. At the touch of a button it can dispense cold, filtered water for 30 seconds, but will also produce steaming-hot filtered water, as well as regular hot and cold. • Push-lever safety locking mechanism • Compact 2.5L water tank • Adjustable temperature from 88-99°C • Available in L, J or U shapes BOWER INDUSTRIAL BRIDGE GUN METAL 3-IN-1 INSTANT BOILING WATER TAP, £549.95, VICTORIAN PLUMBING

Complement an industrial interior with this eye-catching model that provides hot, cold and near-boiling water in an instant. The 360° swivel spout makes it extremely versatile, and it also boasts a child-safe spring lock. The compact boiler sits in the cupboard under the sink without taking up too much storage space. • Adjustable temperature from 75-98°C • Interactive touchscreen boiler • 2.4L water tank • Industrial-style design RED HOT WATER TAP, £1,662.79, GROHE

WIN!

go to Delivering water up to 99°C, this tap is page 64sure to make life easier. A high, swivelling spout combined with the pot-filler mode to dispense 3L of hot water at once is a great addition. A holiday mode caps the temperature at 60°C, while the filter cleans the water to prolong the life of the tap. • Energy-saving holiday mode • Smart child lock • 3L and 5.5L tanks available • Spout swivels 150° Feature Lara Berry