What a boiling water tap is
A boiling water tap looks like a normal kitchen tap but connects to a small insulated tank under the sink that holds water at near-boiling temperature. Tea, coffee, pasta water and sterilising all happen straight from the tap, and the kettle can retire. Quooker is the best-known brand, and several other manufacturers make similar systems.
Most models also deliver normal hot and cold water, and many include filtered water too, so one tap replaces two or three separate fittings on the worktop.
What installation involves
Fitting one is a plumbing and electrical job combined. The tank needs space in the cupboard under the sink, a connection to the cold water feed, a waste connection on some models, and a standard plug socket for power. The tap itself needs a hole in the worktop or sink ledge, which is straightforward when there's an existing tap hole or a spare one.
We check the cupboard space, the water supply and the electrics before you buy, so you don't end up with a tank that doesn't fit. If you're planning a new kitchen, it's easiest to install the tap as part of that work — our kitchen plumbing guide covers the wider picture.
Hard water and filters
In hard-water areas, limescale is the enemy of anything that heats water, and a boiling water tap is no exception. Scale builds up in the tank and can affect taste and efficiency over time.
Most systems take a filter cartridge that reduces scale and improves taste, and the tank needs the cartridge changing on the manufacturer's schedule. We'll show you how when we install it, and it's a simple job you can do yourself.
Safety in a family kitchen
Boiling water on tap understandably worries parents. Modern systems are designed around that: childproof handles that need a push-and-turn action, insulated spouts that stay cool to the touch, and water that comes out in an aerated spray rather than a solid scalding stream.
We'll talk you through the safety features of the models you're considering and position the tap sensibly — not at the front edge of a worktop where small hands reach.
Is one right for your kitchen?
If the kettle boils several times a day, a boiling water tap quickly earns its cupboard space. The main questions are whether there's room under the sink for the tank, whether a socket can be fitted nearby, and which size of tank suits your household. We can talk through the options and give you a clear quote — just get in touch.
Areas we cover
We install boiling water taps across Harpenden, St Albans, Wheathampstead, Redbourn, Luton and Hemel Hempstead. See the full list on our areas we cover page.