Instant boiling water taps eliminate the need for kettles and free up valuable kitchen worktop space. They also save time and money by cutting out energy costs.
Zip and Billi make exceptional smart taps which offer boiling, filtered and chilled water. But which is best for you?
Boiling Water
Boiling water is used for disinfection, to remove toxins and chemicals, and to get rid of many types of stains. Whether on table linens or carpeting, boiling water is an effective and inexpensive way to treat some stains, especially fruit (like raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and watermelon) and wine stains. A pot of boiling water can also be used to sanitize kitchen utensils and pans.
The temperature of water rises in a boiling process, and bubbles form on the surface. The heat flux at the surface of the boiling water is very high, and this increases the boiling rate as it reaches its boiling point (212 degrees Fahrenheit at 1 atmosphere of pressure). During boiling, liquid molecules change to gas, and they release thermal energy by leaving the liquid and forming bubbles on the surface of the boiling water. A plot of the temperature versus time for this process, called nucleate boiling, shows that as the bubbles rise on the surface, they increase in size, and their thermal energy releases more thermal energy to cause more bubbles.
When public health officials issue a boil water advisory, they recommend that you use bottled water, or bring your own tap water to a full rolling boil for one minute (at higher altitudes, it should be boiled for three minutes). Then, let the water cool, and store it in clean, covered containers. A pinch of salt per quart can improve the flat taste of boiled water.
Chilled Water
Boiling water is often a necessary step in the process of purifying water, such as when there’s a boil water advisory. When boiling, water vaporizes and kills any harmful microorganisms in it. Water boiled in this way can also retain important minerals, which can be beneficial for health and wellness.
Chilled water is used to provide cooling to buildings and other infrastructure across campus. The water flows into a chilled water loop piping system that distributes it to over 22 miles of underground piping and 150 individual building bridge systems. When the chilled water is no longer needed it is returned to the chiller plant to be re-chilled.
The chillers use the water in the cooling coil to transfer energy from the cooling medium (chilled water) to air and other fluids, thus lowering their temperature. The cooled air and other fluids are then distributed through the cooling system, which may include fan coil units, floor ducting and air handler systems for general building cooling.
The chilled water system requires less maintenance than traditional refrigeration systems because they do not use refrigerant products. This helps reduce the cost of repairs and maintenance and protects the environment from potential leaks and other environmental impacts associated with refrigerants. Combined with modern chiller efficiency improvements and industry guidance for right-sized design of equipment, pipes, water volume and buildings structure, chilled water systems can deliver top performance.
Sparkling Water
Water with gas, known as seltzer or club soda, is a great substitute for sugary drinks that can contribute to weight gain and the development of conditions like diabetes. The carbonation in sparkling water helps to stimulate the digestive system and can help with indigestion and heartburn. But, make sure it’s labelled ‘no added sugar’ to ensure you’re drinking the healthiest options.
Sparkling water can also have practical uses in the kitchen – it’s ideal for cleaning as the bubbles help lift dirt away from surfaces, and it’s often used to rinse and soak ingredients before cooking or baking. It can also be helpful in restoring artificial hair colours, as the carbonation breaks up the chlorine and restores the colour.
If you’re looking to add a stylish touch to your kitchen while reducing the amount of plastic waste in your home, consider choosing an option that includes both boiling and chilled water at the touch of a button. The Quooker is a popular choice that provides true 100degC boiling water as well as cold and fizzy dispense. It’s endorsed by interior designer Kelly Hoppen CBE and is available in a variety of finishes. There are other models that dispense boiling and chilled water, including the InSinkErator tap, which is slightly more expensive but offers a sleek design and no need for a kettle.
Water Filtration
The water that makes it from its original source to your tap may contain many different organisms, bacteria and elements that are beneficial to our health and wellbeing. However, there are also some contaminants in our drinking water that can make us ill. This is where water filtration comes in.
Water filtration removes the unwanted contaminants in your drinking water to ensure that you are only getting clean, safe and delicious drinking water. The filtration process forces your water through a system of filters in order to remove any harmful contaminants, chemicals and even metals that may be present.
Typical water filtration methods include distillation, reverse osmosis and absorption. Distillation is a simple, cost effective way of removing toxins from your water by boiling it and then allowing the steam to evaporate. This is a very effective method, although it doesn’t remove all contaminates. Reverse osmosis, on the other hand, is one of the most effective ways of ensuring that your water is free of a wide range of harmful pollutants by pushing the water through a semipermeable membrane.
Most filtration systems do not capture all harmful substances, including fluoride and certain ions such as sulfates, nitrates and arsenic. Water filtration systems like FloWater transform your tap water by forcing it through seven unique filters that not only purify the drinking water but also add back electrolytes and minerals for a healthy, well-rounded beverage. Boiling and chilled water tap