Go with the flow

Daniel Boulton, Sales & Procurement Director at Clearwater Products, explains how eco-friendly taps can add value to every kitchen. 

The demand for eco-friendly appliances has never been higher. With utility bills remaining steep, homeowners are more appreciative of the savings that can be made by switching to energy-efficient appliances. At the same time, rising environmental awareness is driving a lifestyle shift as more people recognise the importance of eco-conscious living and look at ways to reduce their consumption.  

It’s making eco-friendly taps an ever more attractive prospect for homeowners, who are keen to invest in the latest technology, which prioritises sustainability alongside advanced functionality. And it’s a trend that is filtering through to the newbuild market, with buyers demanding more from their kitchen fittings.  

Full steam ahead  

Once the preserve of high-end kitchens, hot water taps have become more accessible as technology has evolved and they are now seen by many homeowners as a must-have rather than a nice-to-have. These multifunctional taps deliver instant steaming hot water, ideally at 98°C, as and when required, alongside standard hot and cold water. The convenience of having hot water literally on tap is appealing to more homeowners who recognise how it can make cooking, as well as meal and drink prep, quicker and easier.  

Plus, as they eliminate the need for a kettle, hot water taps can help to create the kind of sleek and streamlined kitchen aesthetic that today’s home buyers crave. They also bring cost and energy savings, which adds to their appeal. More energy-efficient than a traditional kettle, which many people tend to overfill, steaming hot water taps only heat the amount that is required, conserving energy and reducing water consumption.  

With the rise in multigenerational living, specifiers are having to cater for the diverse needs of different users within the same space. Hot taps tend to feature cool-touch spouts and child locks for added safety, which make them a family-friendly solution.  

Streams of consciousness  

As environmental concerns continue to rise, consumers have become more conscious of the harm that single-use plastic bottles are causing the planet. At the same time, the growing wellness movement has put water quality in the spotlight amid concerns about the purity of tap water and its potential to contain microplastics, chlorine and even bacteria.  

It’s made multifunctional taps that deliver filtered water on demand an ever more attractive proposition for homeowners looking to stop buying bottled water and swap it for fresh water at the turn of the tap, particularly when you consider that some filters can deliver nearly 4000 litres of filtered water. For added convenience, some models even come with digital filter replacement reminder systems with a live flow rate, so homeowners can easily see when it is time to replace the filter cartridge. It's these kinds of features that will add value to a development and appeal to home buyers who want more from their kitchens.  

Luxury finishes 

The latest eco-friendly, multifunctional taps come in an array of beautiful finishes, which reflect the trend for more customised designs that allow homeowners to inject personality into their kitchens. With PVD finishes such as Brushed Bronze, Brushed Brass and Brushed Nickel proving popular alongside Chrome, Matt Black and Stainless Steel, it’s easier than ever for specifiers to integrate these high-tech taps into classic and contemporary schemes.  

In addition, the latest elegant designs cleverly conceal the tap’s various functions. Water tanks, CO₂, and filter cartridges require minimal plumbing changes for installation and the customised adjustable spray patterns offer the convenience and practical features people are looking for in their kitchens. 

For specifiers, a hot or filtered water tap is a simple upgrade that will make a big difference in how house buyers perceive the quality of the kitchens within their developments, and as such we expect to see them being increasingly specified in new builds as a secondary unit or main tap.  

www.clearwaterproducts.co.uk