Boiling water taps have been around since the 1970s, but current models are more efficient and effective than ever.
While Quooker is still probably the most well-known boiling water tap brand, Grohe, Adobe, Franke, Qettle and InSinkerator are all strong competitors.
As boiling water taps have become more popular, they’ve also decreased in price. You no longer need to fork out a vast quantity of cash to enjoy the convenience of instant boiling water.
Moreover, while these devices were previously held back by energy efficiency and safety worries, this is no longer the case.
This article will review the cost of installing Quooker taps in the UK, factors that affect the cost and other common questions surrounding quooker and other boiling taps.
Average Cost of Boiling Water Taps by Brand
Below are the costs of boiling hot water taps by brand. Filter replacement times vary depending on the water quality and mineral content in the area.
Areas susceptible to limescale require more regular changes. Some manufacturers offer different sized filters for different products. Prices are a guide and subject to change.
| Brand (3-in-1 or 4-in-1) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Quooker | £1,000 - £2,000 |
| Franke | £1,000 - £1,800 |
| Grohe | £800 - £1,800 |
| InSinkerator | £580 - £1,000 |
| Adobe | £750 - £2,000 |
| Qettle | £600 - £1500 |
Average Cost of Different Boiling Water Tap Systems
Below is the average costs of various boiling water taps, with the installation costs. Most plumbers will be able to install boiling water taps. The job is not particularly complex, though mistakes can be costly.
We used quotes from 11 manufacturers and plumbers to find these average prices, including VAT and all required components:
| Quality | 3-in-1 Boiling Water Tap | 4-in-1 Boiling Water Tap With Filter | 5-in-1 Boiling Water Tap With Filter and Sparkling Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low-End | £500 to £600 | £700 to £1,000 | £1,000 to £2,000 |
| Mid-Range | £700 to £1,000 | £900 to £1,350 | £1,500 to £3,000 |
| High-End | £1,000 to £1,500 | £1,200 to £2,000 | £2,000 to £3,500 |
The average job price for installing boiling water taps is around £1,000 for typical installations, rising to £2,500 for high-end options. It is possible to install a boiling water tap for around £500 to £700, especially if you’re willing to go DIY.
What Are Boiling Water Taps?
Boiling water taps look and operate in the same way as any other kitchen tap.
However, they have purpose-made under-sink boilers which provide very hot or boiling water on demand in addition to your standard hot and cold water.
These are called 3-in-1 taps (hot, cold and boiling), and some come with added water filters.
You can also get 4-in-1 taps, which integrate a water filter and a water-cooling device, and even 5-in-1 taps, which provide sparkling water in addition to everything else – the ultimate tap.
While some boiling water taps do actually produce boiling water at 100C, many only produce very hot water at around 90C.
This is pretty much a moot point for your average user, but some coffee enthusiasts will insist that temperatures of around 95C are required for the optimal cup!
Types of Boiling Water Taps
There are three main types of boiling water taps; 3-in-1, 4-in-1 and 5-in-1 taps.
- 3-in-1 boiling water taps are normal taps with hot and cold water, with additional boiling water. These are usually mixable from the same spout. Some 3-in-1 taps also have filters.
- 4-in-1 boiling water taps add a water filter and water cooling, providing fully-filtered cold, warm and hot water. Water cooling is probably unnecessary in the UK but is an added bonus.
- 5-in-1 boiling water taps add sparkling water to the above, which usually has its own separate spout. This involves adding a CO2 cartridge to the setup.
Are Boiling Water Taps Worth It?
With a boiling water tap, the kettle becomes redundant. Boiling water is provided on-demand, so you’ll always have it regardless of whether you’re making tea or coffee, cooking or washing up.
This is tremendously convenient for anyone that does those things several times a day.
It is true that boiling water taps are somewhat of a ‘mod con’, but the benefits are more than superficial when you take a closer look at what they have to offer.
Pros of Boiling Water Taps
Convenience
This is the obvious benefit, and it’s why people decide to get boiling water taps. Not only does instant boiling water save time, but it also makes cooking and washing up quicker and easier. All those minutes add up, especially if you make multiple cups of tea or coffee a day!
Style
Boiling water taps are stylish additions to any modern kitchen. They’re becoming essential for modern high-end kitchens and will boost the appeal of any kitchen.
Functionality
Besides providing boiling water, some boiling water taps integrate water filters to negate the need for water filter devices or other separate filtration devices.
Taking it one step further, sparkling water dispensers negate the need to buy separate sparkling water. Both are eco-friendly choices when they negate the need to buy bottled drinks.
Something else worth highlighting is that some kettles can be very heavy, making them unwieldy and less safe to use.
Boiling water taps are an excellent choice for those with disabilities, arthritis or other wrist and arm conditions or injuries.
Cost
According to Which? boiling water taps are marginally less expensive to use per day compared to kettles. Boiling water taps cost within the region of 3p per day, whereas each litre costs around 2.3p to boil in a kettle.
It’s also common to boil much more water than you need when you boil a kettle, whereas boiling water taps are on-demand.
The cost savings are obviously minuscule in the short term, but they do have an impact in the long term. By the same token, boiling water taps are also often more eco-friendly than kettles.
Safety
Manufacturers have massively refined their safety approaches in recent years. The risk of accidentally turning on the boiling water is extremely low.
Boiling water taps are no less safe than kettles, gas burners, microwaves and other kitchen appliances. In fact, many suggest that boiling water taps are considerably safer than kettles.
Cons of Boiling Water Taps
Cost
There is no point in shying away from the initial costs of boiling water taps. Many models cost in excess of £1,000 without the cost of installation.
While it is possible to fit them DIY, this will require some level of DIY or plumbing experience. It’s usually wise to opt for professional installation.
Maintenance
Standard taps require very little maintenance. Since boiling water taps have more moving parts, they do require some maintenance and you have to look after them to keep them running smoothly.
However, build quality and standards are very high amongst top manufacturers today.
Installation
As noted, it’s usually wise to install boiling water taps professionally rather than going down the DIY route.
It’s also often necessary to upgrade the sink or worktop, clear space underneath the sink for the hot water tank and filter, and make extra room for CO2 cartridges for sparkling water taps where applicable.
What is The Best Boiling Water Tap Brand?
The competition amongst these well-known brands is pretty hot and they’re generally hard to split. Quooker is probably the most well-known.
Grohe and Franke offer a variety of higher-end options. InSinkerator and Qettle are great choices for mid-range and lower-end 3-in-1 models.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Boiling Water Tap?
Boiling water taps are relatively easy to install. Most plumbers will finish the job in around 2 to 5 hours. The job will only take 5 hours if extra work that needs to be done to integrate the tank, or CO2 cartridges for 5-in-1 taps. Any reconstruction of the sink or worktop will take additional time and incur additional cost.
At a rate of £50 an hour or so, installation works out at around £200 for most jobs.
Choosing a Boiling Water Tap Fitter
For most plumbers, fitting a boiling water tap is straightforward. Nevertheless, direct experience in fitting one is an asset. The plumber must follow the manufacturer’s manual properly.
Extra Costs Associated With Boiling Water Tap Installation
Filters are one of the main ongoing costs of running a boiling water tap. If you don’t periodically replace the filter, the heating element will become clogged and damaged.
Different manufacturers have different maintenance recommendations, but as a rough guide, it’s wise to service the system once a year. Some manufacturers, including Quooker, offer a maintenance service.
Installing boiling water taps is relatively straightforward, but the sink does need to be of a certain standard to make it worth it. Many people choose to fit a new worktop, sink or even a new kitchen before fitting a boiling water tap.
- New worktops can cost anything between £300 to £500 or so for cheaper laminate worktops to £2000+ for stone or quartz.
- High-quality sinks generally cost around £400 or more.
- A new kitchen will usually cost at least £5,000, rising beyond £30,000 for high-end options.
Get Pricing on Installing Quooker Taps Near You
We’ve done our best to give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay for a quooker tap.
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About the Author
Alex Johnson is a qualified quantity surveyor and writer with a passion for conducting original research and uncovering the true cost of jobs. His cost data has been referenced by EDF Energy and the Scottish Government.