The pros and cons of under-the-sink hot water dispensers

Built-in hot water dispensers consist of a small heating tank that you have to install under the kitchen sink and the faucet that can withstand the pressure of boiling water. The tank temperature stays close to 200°F as long as you keep the unit plugged in and do not change the settings on the unit. This is much hotter than anything you can get from your regular water heater and is as hot as the water in coffee pots. People install these because of the benefits they offer.

There are a number of benefits to having a hot water dispenser under the sink. First, under-the-sink hot water dispensers give you what you need instantly so you don’t have to stop in the middle of something and wait for the water to boil. This is a great advantage for those who spend a lot of time working in the kitchen. So, contrary to the belief that keeping hot water in tanks is inefficient, built-in instant hot water dispensers actually waste less energy than other means of producing boiling water. For example, with a kettle, you often have to heat more water than you need and the water that is not used ends up getting cold because there is little insulation. On the other hand, the under-sink tanks have decent insulation, so there’s very little standby heat loss. Finally, under-sink kettles don’t take up space on your kitchen counter, while counter-top kettles or hot water dispensers can be a nuisance.

With all the comfort they offer, hot water dispenser tanks can also cause some problems if you don’t take care of them. For example, some cheap units can leak due to the immense pressure and corrosive effects of the constantly boiling water inside them. If they fail when you are away from home, there can be serious damage to your property. To avoid these types of accidents, you’d do well to drain and unplug the boiling water dispensers in your home if you plan to be away for more than a day. A more dangerous problem with these devices is the risk of burns. Liquids at 140°F can cause full-thickness injuries in a few seconds, and what comes out of an instant hot water faucet is much hotter than that. Anyone who puts a hand under that faucet will be seriously injured and this is especially a problem for people who may not fully understand the risks. If you want to use these systems in homes with elderly people or young children, you should lower the temperature of the unit to reduce the risk.

In conclusion, under sink hot water dispensers are useful devices, but you should make sure that they are suitable for your lifestyle before buying one and you should be careful when using them.