What is Touchless Kitchen Faucet? Pros and Cons of Using It

While a touchless kitchen faucet may seem like a technological wonder, they’re actually pretty simple products.

Despite the simplicity, they’re super convenient. Using one of these saves you tons of time, effort, and makes the overall operation of your kitchen way cleaner.

Sadly, not many people tend to use touchless kitchen faucets – either by fear of getting something unreliable or eventually spending more money than needed.

But don’t worry. You don’t have to spend a fortune or worry about how they work. They’re actually fantastic!

Read up and learn why having one of these can be your best kitchen investment.

What Is A Touchless Kitchen Faucet?

As the name says, a touchless faucet refers to a spout that doesn’t have handles or knobs. It works without needing any operation – just place your hand below the spout, and water will start coming out.

This is a super useful thing to have. It saves time, it saves effort when cleaning, and it makes cleaning your kitchen safer.

For those people who hate soiling their spout, handling dishes, cookware, and utensils uncomfortably to clean them – then a touchless faucet will come like a fantastic product to have.

Parts of a Touchless Kitchen Faucet

But what makes a sensor kitchen faucet possible? Well, here are some common parts you’ll find:

Sensor

This is probably the most critical component of touchless faucets. Without one of these, creating the motion-detecting process to open up the spout would be impossible.

What the sensor does is detecting the presence of a hand under the spout. Once it does that, it automatically sends a signal to the faucet valve, so the water can come through the spot.

Once the hand is removed from the place, most sensors wait a few seconds and close. And if a hand gets under the spout, then they will open up again.

These sensors usually boast small infrared lights and an infrared detector. But you may also find ultrasonic field sensors, which are even more precise yet more expensive.

Valve

As you know already, the sensor is the part that sends the signal to the valve. This valve is called a solenoid.

This valve is an electromagnet that pushes and pulls a small rubber-like metal disc inside the pipe.

When the valve receives the signal from the sensor and it is closed, then it pulls the disc, so it lets water go through.

But when the hands are not present under the spout, then the sensor sends another signal, and the valve pushes the disc to close the water flow.

This happens in less than a second, and it works amazingly well in most cases. Of course, it all depends on the type of sensor and quality of the product.

Power Source

For the sensor and electromagnetic valve to work, it is necessary to have a power source.

Here’s where batteries, dry-cell batteries, low-voltage current systems, and AC transformers enter into work.

Most faucets use batteries. But some of them need to be connected directly to an AC outlet to work.

Spout

Like any other faucet, touchless models also come with a spout. This is the most crucial part, along with the sensor. Without it, the water wouldn’t be able to travel towards the sink.

It is important to note that touchless faucets usually come with either zinc or brass spouts – sometimes with machined, die-cast, nickel, sand-cast, or chrome finishes. They are elegant and typically simple.

What makes them different from regular spouts is that most of them come with a “pull-down” feature. That means the head can be taken off the spout to bring closer to cookware, utensils, and dishes.

Touchless spouts, apart from all that, need to be high enough but decently close to the sink so the sensors can work well enough. But despite all that, they usually look similar to standard ones.

How Does A Touchless Kitchen Faucet Work?

The real difference between a hands free kitchen faucet and a regular one is how they work. You probably already have an idea – but let’s now make it simpler to understand:

1.   When stand-by, a touchless faucet has the diaphragm or disc is closed. This stops the water flow, as the solenoid valve is not activated.

2.   Once a hand approaches the spot, the sensor will send a signal to the solenoid valve. Then, it will open the diaphragm or disc to let water through.

3.   When the hands and/or objects are not close to the sensor anymore, then it will send a signal to the solenoid valve to push the diaphragm or disc closed. This will prevent any water flow.

4.   The sensor usually sends the signal to the solenoid using fiber optic cables. Some models may use more advanced wiring systems.

5.   For the whole spout to work, it is necessary to use at least two batteries. One for the solenoid, and the other powers up the sensor. In case the spout works with AC power, then it will use that power to operate.

This is a small explanation of how touchless faucets work. However, the system may vary depending on the type and/or quality of the piece.

Pros of Using a Touchless Kitchen Faucet

Now that you’re familiar with how they work, it would great to know what you can get from them. Here’s a list of advantages of using these hands-free faucets:

Hands-Free

Not having to use your hands is probably the best benefit of having a touchless spout. If your hands are dirty, or you just have them full – then this type of faucet comes like a gem. Place your hands close the spout, and that’s it.

Water Flow

If you’re tired of wasting water, then a sensor faucet is your best bet. It doesn’t let any water go to waste, as it will automatically turn off when there’s nothing in front of the spout. Most of them take 3 seconds to send the signal and close the water flow.

Pull-Down

The best touchless kitchen faucet will not only provide hands-free operation and better water flow, it will also make it easier to clean things. A spray-head with pull-down feature lets you get closer to dishes and cookware when cleaning.

Kid’s Safety

Lastly, you can expect a touchless faucet to be safer for kids. Kids won’t have to extend to reach knobs and open the faucet, or step over things to get taller. Both of those things can be dangerous, especially in the kitchen. With a touchless faucet, they only need to place their hands under the spot, and that’s it.

Cons of Using a Touchless Kitchen Faucet

There are great benefits from using a sensor faucet – but there are also disadvantages. Here are some of them:

Costs

They are not only more expensive at first than standard faucets, but they’re also a little more expensive over time as well.

First, because they use batteries and/or AC power, which increases the bill. And second, the solenoid or valve may stop working overtime so you’ll need to buy new ones and replace them.

Temperatures

If you depend on hot and cold water, you won’t find touchless models too helpful. They usually only offer one temperature, and you won’t be able to change them.

The most advanced models may offer two temperatures, but they’re often pretty expensive.

Installation

While they look pretty similar to regular faucets, they’re actually not. Sometimes, installing one of these faucets can take way more time and effort than expected, and you may even need to hire a plumber to do it for you.

Get a Touchless Kitchen Faucet Today!

Now that you know what a touchless kitchen faucet is and what it offers – it is time to decide whether it can be a great addition to your kitchen or not.

If you think they’re worth having, you’ll be delighted with a hands-free faucet. Otherwise, you can get a regular tap. But be aware, you won’t have the same kitchen experience.

Make sure to consider its advantages and disadvantages before buying one – that will help you enormously.

If you’re ready, then buy one! You won’t regret getting one of these.