4 Common Touchless Faucet Problems

Touchless faucets are commonly thought of as being in airport or stadium bathrooms. These faucets not only conserve water, but they help prevent the spread of bacteria that can cause illnesses. Touchless faucets are becoming more and more popular inside homes. They are a wonderful option for children’s bathrooms or for sinks in which the user’s hands will be full when using said sink. If you are considering purchasing a touchless faucet for your home, consider these common problems first.

1. Energy Cost

While touchless faucets definitely help to conserve water, they do come with a built in energy cost. Most touchless faucets operate on battery or A/C power and require sensors to work. This can be costly and inconvenient when the batteries run out and need to be replaced. There are newer models coming out now that feature rechargeable batteries. These models are generally more expensive, but can end up paying for themselves in the long run because you don’t have to purchase multiple batteries. Consider how you will power your touchless faucet and how you will change the batteries, or pay for energy costs, depending on what your model uses.

2. Temperature Control

It is often inconvenient to have a touchless faucet in a sink where different temperatures of water are needed. Most touchless faucets come with one temperature setting (usually warm water) that cannot be changed.

3. Tricky Installation

If you choose to use a touchless faucet in your home, you will more than likely need a professional plumber to install it for you. The installation process can be tricky. Not only does the touchless faucet require power in the form of electricity, and sensors, but it is installed differently than a traditional faucet. Getting the pipes and tubes spaced correctly so that the faucet is able to receive warm water quickly is often the biggest challenge. If your sink will need to supply hot water, consider asking your plumber if this is possible, and/ or convenient, based on the configuration of the existing plumbing in your home.

4. Cost

While the cost for the actual technology of touchless faucets is starting to decrease, touchless faucets still cost more than traditional faucets today. Also, when you factor in installation and energy costs, you may be looking at a pretty hefty bill. There are some models though, that are quite affordable. Usually the more stylish models are going to be the most expensive, which is probably the case with traditional faucets as well. Be sure to consider all aspects of the cost when choosing to go touchless.

Touchless faucets can be an excellent choice for a home because they conserve large amounts of water, thus, saving the home owner money. Touchless faucets are also excellent ways to keep germs and bacteria from spreading throughout a home. The problems that come with touchless faucets are present, but don’t necessarily have to deter you from considering this option. Take the time to weigh the pros and cons of your lifestyle and how a touchless faucet would, or would not meet your water needs.