Boiling taps are more energy efficient than repeatedly boiling a kettle throughout the day. The Qmpress Instaboil 4-in-1 system uses a highly insulated tank designed to retain heat efficiently while consuming minimal standby power. It also helps reduce water and energy wastage because you only dispense the amount of water you need.
In this article we discuss how any 4-in-1 tap, including the Instaboil, and standard domestic kettles compare under a number of headings.
What does a 4-in-1 tap actually give me?
A 4-in-1 boiling tap is extremely versatile, providing:
- boiling water—on demand
- a standard hot and cold water mixer
- filtered cold drinking water from a dedicated channel in the same tap unit
This means it replaces a kettle, a filter jug, and a regular mixer tap with one simple unit.
Convenience comparison
4-in-1 Tap
- Instant boiling water with ~2.4L ready to go in the tank, which auto-refills and reheats.
- No need to wait for a kettle to boil for every round of drinks or your cooking water.
- Just one tap for everything: tea, coffee, filling pots, making pasta or instant noodles, sterilising bottles or jars, rinsing and washing, etc.
- Users quickly stop using kettles once their 4-in-1 tap is installed.
Kettle
- Kettles must be filled and boiled afresh every single time.
- Fine if you only use it occasionally, though less great if you constantly need boiling water during the course of the day.
- Most kettles do not have filtration, so you must use an external water filter jug or plumbed system.
The verdict:
For a busy household that cooks a lot or creates many hot drinks, a 4-in-1 system is dramatically more convenient.
Energy use & running costs
4-in-1 Tap
- The tank keeps water hot all day long, at a minimal cost.
- You only dispense the exact amount you need, so there’s less overboiling and less wasted water when compared to repeatedly overfilling a kettle.
Kettle
- Kettles require 3kW of power every time, whereas a 4-in-1 uses considerably less. For example, the Instaboil 4-in-1 uses just 1.5kW.
- Most homes overfill their kettle, boiling more water than necessary over and over again, wasting water and electricity.
- If you’re very disciplined (strictly boiling only what you need) and don’t make many hot drinks, a kettle is cheaper to run overall.
The verdict:
Heavy users (large households, home workers, those making lots of tea/coffee or cooking, will find a 4-in-1 beats a kettle in energy usage under real-life conditions.
Space & aesthetics
4-in-1 Tap
- An 4-in-1 tap frees up worktop space by removing the kettle and (usually) the additional filter jug.
- It looks cleaner and more ‘built-in’, with your choice of finish: chrome, stainless, black, brass, gold, etc.
- Instead of taking up your valuable counter space, some cupboard space is discreetly used under the sink for the tank and filter.
Kettle
- Kettles and water filters need permanent space on counter tops, along with the issue of the kettle’s cable clutter.
- No space is used under the sink.
The verdict:
If your worktop space is tight, or you prefer a minimal, premium look for your kitchen, choose a 4-in-1 tap.
Water quality & taste
4-in-1 Tap
- Most 4-in-1 taps (including the Instaboil) includes a professional filtration system that usually improves the taste of your piped water, removing chlorine, some metals, and limescale.
- A separate filtered cold line brings simple and convenient filtered drinking water from the same tap, to enjoy without complication, making life easier.
- In hard water areas, the filter also helps to protect the boiler tank from limescale while greatly improving the taste, and is loved by serious tea and coffee drinkers.
Kettle
- Kettles have no filtration unless you have an external water filter system or separate jug. If using a jug, you need to remember to refill it each time, or you increase the delay before you have boiling water.
- Kettles are prone to limescale buildup that must be removed regularly, which affects taste and may look unpleasant.
The verdict:
A 4-in-1 tap is usually much better for taste and scale control, particularly in hard water areas.
Safety
4-in-1 Tap
- 4-in-1 taps typically have their boiling water accessed via safety mechanisms: child safety buttons, press-and-turn handles, digital controls, or spring-loaded controls.
- Flow is often aerated (a fine spray rather than a solid stream) to reduce the burn risk if splashed.
- Regardless of this, boiling water is issued straight from the tap, so supervision of young children is vital.
Kettle
- A kettle is an obviously hot appliance and most people understand the risks.
- Risks are mainly from knocks and spills, or children tugging the power cable.
- It may be kept out of reach of children if carefully positioned.
The verdict:
While both devices can be used safely, a 4-in-1 tap concentrates any risk to the main tap and has built-in safety features, but you must trust everyone in the household to use it sensibly.
Maintenance
4-in-1 Tap
- Filters must be replaced regularly. (Usually every 6-12 months, depending on the local water hardness and water usage pattern.)
- Potential descaling of the boiler unit may be needed in very hard water areas, though many systems and filters are designed to minimise this.
Kettle
- Descaling is reasonably easy, and can be done on demand.
- If the kettle fails, you usually replace it, not repair.
The verdict:
Once regularly maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the service life of the item should be acceptable in both cases.
Is a 4-in-1 tap ‘worth it’ when compared to a kettle?
There are strong reasons to move to a 4-in-1 tap. Consider it if your household meets any or all of the following:
- You make lots of hot drinks, or cook frequently.
- You value speed and convenience, with instant boiling water and no waiting.
- You enjoy filtered cold water at the tap, ditching filter jugs and the expense of bottled water.
- You are in the middle of a kitchen re-model and desire a clean, premium look, with less clutter.
- You live in a hard water area and want to reduce kettle scaling and improve water taste.
In particular, the Qmpress Instaboil 4-in-1 will meet all your requirements—and more!
