Touchless kitchen faucets are a modern innovation that allows you to turn on and off the water flow with just a wave of your hand. They are designed to make your kitchen experience more convenient, hygienic, and eco-friendly. But are they really worth the investment? Here are some of the pros and cons of touchless kitchen faucets to help you decide.
Pros of Touchless Kitchen Faucets
- Less waste/better for the environment: Touchless faucets can help you save water and money by automatically shutting off the water when not in use. Washing your hands in the sink can consume around 2 gallons of water per minute. With a touchless faucet, you can reduce the amount of water wasted by up to 70%. This can also lower your water bills and your carbon footprint over time.
- Easy to operate: Touchless faucets are very user-friendly and intuitive. You don’t have to worry about finding the right handle or knob to adjust the water temperature and pressure. You can simply wave your hand in front of the sensor and get the desired water flow. Some models even have voice-activated features that let you control the faucet with voice commands.
- Automatic water temperature and flow settings: Touchless faucets can also remember your preferred water temperature and flow settings, so you don’t have to adjust them every time you use the faucet. This can save you time and hassle, especially if you have different preferences from other members of your household.
- Less spread of germs: Touchless faucets can also prevent the transmission of germs and bacteria from your hands to the faucet handles. This can reduce the risk of cross-contamination and infections, especially when handling raw food items or cleaning dishes. Touchless faucets are also easier to clean and maintain, as they don’t have any crevices or grooves where dirt and grime can accumulate.
- No smudge/streaks on the faucet’s finish: Touchless faucets can also preserve the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen, as they don’t leave any fingerprints or smudges on the faucet’s finish. This can make your kitchen look more sleek and elegant, as well as reduce the need for frequent polishing.
Cons of Touchless Kitchen Faucets
- Higher initial cost: Touchless faucets are generally more expensive than traditional faucets, as they require more advanced technology and components. The average cost of a touchless faucet ranges from $100 to $600, depending on the brand, model, and features. This can be a significant investment for some homeowners, especially if they need to replace multiple faucets in their kitchen. There are a few recommended touchless kitchen faucets for up to $100.
- Higher maintenance cost: Touchless faucets also have higher maintenance costs, as they rely on batteries or electricity to operate. Batteries need to be replaced regularly, which can add up over time. Electricity can also increase your energy bills, especially if you use the faucet frequently or leave it on standby mode. Additionally, touchless faucets have more mechanical parts that can malfunction or break down over time, requiring professional repairs or replacements.
- Less reliability: Touchless faucets are also less reliable than traditional faucets, as they are more prone to glitches or errors. Sometimes, the sensor may not detect your hand movement correctly, resulting in no water flow or inconsistent water flow. Other times, the sensor may be too sensitive, resulting in accidental water flow or water wastage. Moreover, touchless faucets may not work well in low-light conditions or when there is interference from other sources of infrared light.
- Less durability: Touchless faucets are also less durable than traditional faucets, as they are more susceptible to damage from water leaks, power surges, or physical impacts. Water leaks can cause corrosion or short-circuiting of the electrical components, rendering the faucet useless. Power surges can overload or fry the circuit board, causing permanent damage. Physical impacts can crack or dent the sensor or spout, affecting the functionality and appearance of the faucet.
Conclusion
Touchless kitchen faucets are a great option for homeowners who value convenience, hygiene, and eco-friendliness in their kitchen. They can offer many benefits such as less water waste, easy operation, automatic settings, less germ spread, and no smudge/streaks. However, they also come with some drawbacks such as higher initial cost, higher maintenance cost, less reliability, and less durability. Therefore, before buying a touchless faucet, you should weigh the pros and cons carefully and consider your budget, needs, and preferences. You should also compare different brands and models of touchless faucets and read customer reviews to find the best one for your kitchen.
